(Springfield-jm) -- Superintendents around the state received a letter Wednesday from the Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala. In the letter, Ayala addresses Governor JB Pritzker's mandate for masks at all schools in Illinois, from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th Grade. She says local schools do not have the authority to refuse to comply with the governor's executive order on universal masking. Ayala states that any district that refuses to comply risks State recognition. This would lead to a total loss of access to state funding and loss of the school's ability to engage in any Illinois High School Association and Illinois Elementary School Association athletic competitions.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new initiative from the Illinois State Police aims to increase the number of women in its ranks. The goal of the 30 by 30 initiative is for recruit classes to be made up of at least 30 percent females by the year 2030. Women currently account for less than 10 percent of sworn law enforcement in the state police. Trooper Omoayean (oh-my-eenah) Williams says it’s a great career choice, no matter your gender…

 

 

Illinois State Police Trooper Omoayean Williams. Illinois State Police is now accepting applications. Visit illinois trooper dot com to get started.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,933 new Coronavirus cases and 9 additional deaths Wednesday. Champaign County reported 90 new cases bringing their total to 22,487. Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties did not have a report.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing the new 250 million dollar Back to Business Grant Program. The effort is aimed at small businesses hit especially hard during the pandemic, says the Governor, helping owners hire back staff and cover operating costs….

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Prizker. The grants range from five thousand dollars up to 150 thousand, and certain industries will be prioritized including bars and restaurants, hotels and arts businesses. The application process opens next Wednesday. More details are available online on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The official hotel of the University of Illinois won’t be available for guests as students return for class. 43 rooms at the Illini Union Hotel are being reserved for students in case they have to isolate following a positive COVID-19 test or quarantine after an exposure. The rooms will be reserved for isolation and quarantine through at least September 15. Around that time, the university will decide if it needs to be extended.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- A fundraiser for Finn, a little boy from Gibson City with leukemia will be held this weekend. One of the activities is a cruise, says Just an Angel Spokesperson Dale Puls…

 

 

Just an Angel Spokesperson Dale Puls.

 

 

(Loda-jm) -- The village of Loda is increasing the fines for tampering with water meters. Village leaders approved raising the fine to $500 plus repair costs.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is launching a new portal to show proof of vaccination. The Vax Verify system lets users check their vaccination records and then show proof if necessary, says Public Health Spokesperson Melaney Arnold…

 

 

Illinois Public Health Spokesperson Melaney Arnold. Vax Verify uses Experian to securely verify your identity. You can set up your account at: idph portal dot illinois dot gov.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Illinois State Fair Butter Cow. The 2021 butter cow was once again sculpted by Sarah Pratt of Iowa and features a girl embracing the bovine. There are 13 hearts hidden throughout the sculpture, representing the 13 essential nutrients found in milk. State Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello…

 

 

State Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello. All the butter used is home grown, from dairy farms in Illinois. The butter cow is located in the dairy building. The state fair runs through August 22nd.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Ameren Illinois is awarding Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County a grant to support the construction of their fall home build. Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County helps families' dream of homeownership come true through the Local Home Build Program. The grant funds were made possible through the Ameren Cares Program, which connects Ameren to its communities through charitable acts of giving and volunteering.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois lawmakers failed to pass energy legislation during the spring session. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City has the latest…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Sibley-jm) -- Sibley’s water improvement project is estimated to cost more than expected. The village learned the project exceeded the Illinois Environmental Protection Agencies loan ceiling by $167,000. Half of the loan will be forgiven while the village will have to pay the other half back over 20 years.