(Springfield-jm) -- A new study by WalletHub has Illinois ranked 29th out of 50 for best states to start a business in.  The study looked at factors including business environment, access to resources, business costs and other factors, according to Wallethub spokesperson Jill Gonzalez. Illinois ranked 29th out of 50 states and ranked 40th in the business environment, 36th in business costs, and 8th in access to resources.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new report confirms Illinois is among the worst in the country when it comes to funding its public pensions. The report was distributed by the Tax Foundation, an independent tax policy nonprofit. It indicates the state is only 39% funded for future pension obligations, the second-worst ratio in the country.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported 1,088 new Coronavirus cases and 4 additional deaths Monday. Iroquois County reported 54 new cases over the past week. Champaign County reported 81 new cases since Friday. 35 percent of Iroquois County residents are fully vaccinated, Ford County 40 percent, Champaign County 49 percent and Vermilion County 32 percent.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Labor is offering steps employers can take to prevent violence in the workplace. It’s a good idea for businesses to establish a zero tolerance policy for violence and provide safety education as to what conduct is not acceptable, says Department of Labor Assistant Director Jason Keller. Additionally…

 

 

Illinois Department of Labor Assistant Director Jason Keller. The most common fields for workplace violence include healthcare, delivery and ride-share services, schools and retail.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- It’s Senior Citizens Day today at the Champaign County Fair. Gates open at 10, activities for seniors from 11-2, 1:30 junior dairy show, 5-10:30 $25 unlimited ride bracelet, harness racing at 7, karaoke contest at 7:30.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The state announced another round of $100,000 winners for the “All in Illinois” vaccination campaign. One of the winners is from Champaign County. The other winners are from Bolingbrook and Vernon Hills.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton’s streetscape project is being delayed. High construction costs plus delays in Springfield because of the pandemic has pushed the project back, says Mayor Bill Ingold…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

 

 

(Vermilion County-jm) -- The Vermilion County Health Department has some recommendations to keep you safe from getting the West Nile Virus. This comes after a bird tested positive near Ridge Farm. They say you should reduce outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active, usually dusk to dawn, make sure windows and doors have tight fitting screens and replace any that have tears or other openings, eliminate all sources of standing water including bird baths, flower pots and wading pools and finally wear long sleeved shirts and pants if you have to be outside during peak mosquito hours and apply insect repellent that contains DEET.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- Many school districts are making final plans for students to return to the classroom in a couple of weeks. One area district’s plan is causing a stir for some in the community. The Mahomet Seymour School Board recently announced that masks will be strongly encouraged for students and staff this fall. Some parents feel masks should be mandatory.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Here’s the crop report for the week ending July 25th. 77 percent of soybeans are blooming and 38 percent are setting pods. 64 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Turning to corn…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The third cutting of alfalfa hay is now 39 percent complete and average statewide topsoil moisture dropped to three percent very short, 12 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

 

(Springfield-jm) --  A new analysis by the American Legislative Exchange Council shows Illinois is one of the worst states in the country with bond debt. Total state bond debt for all 50 states exceeds $1.25 trillion dollars, with Illinois and 9 other states accounting for 64%, or $809 billion of the total. The report ranks Illinois 47th in the country with over $76 billion in total bonded obligations.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new report out of the Social-Emotional Teaching and Learning Lab at the University of Illinois shows preschools are still finding ways to remove children, and behavioral problems are the main reason. Eleven out of 1,000 children are excluded from preschool programs in Illinois. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- While most of the state has seen plenty of rain, drought conditions persist in far northern Illinois. Areas south of I-88 have been wetter than normal over the past month, with central Illinois precipitation four to eight inches above average since mid-June. While conditions are a little better in northern Illinois, it’s going to take more consistent rains to alleviate the ongoing drought. The current outlook shows warm, humid weather with spotty showers. There’s a better chance of widespread rain the first week of August.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported 1,088 new Coronavirus cases and 4 additional deaths Monday. As for cases at long term care facilities, Amber Glen Alzheimer Care Center is reporting 4 cases, University Rehabilitation Center of CU 6 cases, Prairieview Lutheran Home Danforth 2 cases, Accolade Danville 4 cases and 1 death and Heritage Health Hoopeston 5 cases and 4 deaths.

 

(Fisher-jm) -- The 4th Annual Fisher Lucky Foot Festival is coming up in August. Spokesperson Joe Wier talks about the festival…

 

 

Fisher Lucky Foot Festival Spokesperson Joe Wier.

 

(Watseka-jm) -- The Iroquois County Public Health Department will host a pair of Pfizer COVID vaccine clinics this week. The first one will be Wednesday from 7-9 am with the other clinic being Thursday from 4-6 pm. Other upcoming dates include August 4th from 7-9 am and August 11th from 7-9 am.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger has been selected by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on a committee to investigate the January 6th attack on the U-S Capitol. Kinzinger has been an outspoken opponent of former President Donald Trump and was censured by several county GOPs including the Iroquois County Republican Central Committee.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Here’s the crop report for the week ending July 25th. 91 percent of corn acres are silking and 20 percent are now in the dough stage, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 68 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 93 percent of the second cutting and 39 percent of the third cutting of alfalfa hay is now complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture declined over the week to three percent very short, 12 percent short, 77 percent adequate and eight percent surplus.