(Springfield-jm) -- A new state law aims to prevent hair discrimination in schools. The measure was inspired by Jett Hawkins, a Chicago preschooler who got in trouble because his braids violated the school dress code. That shouldn’t happen, says Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton…
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. The law prohibits schools from restricting hairstyles that have been historically associated with race and ethnicity. It takes effect January 1st.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Damage assessment crews were in Gibson City over the weekend. They were going door to door to collect data to try and get federal aid to the area devastated by flooding last week. Crews were also in Elliott. If you were flooded and were not visited by an assessment crew you can call the Ford County Emergency Management Agencies Emergency Operations Center at 217-379-9498 or 217-379-9499 between 9 and 5 through Tuesday.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison. Kejuan Coleman received the sentence in Champaign County court. Coleman admitted to having a loaded gun when he was arrested for possessing cannabis in Urbana.
(Ford County-jm) -- Public health leaders continue to push vaccinations against the Coronavirus. Many schools will be returning to in person learning here in the next few weeks and Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter says that combined with the highly transmissible Delta variant, now is a good time to get vaccinated…
Ford County Public Health Community Educator Megan Reutter.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- Two Iroquois County residents are among the winners of the state’s “Cream of the Crop” photo contest. Caroline Lee of Wellington came in first place in the My Life category for ages 8-10 and second place in the competitive cattle category for ages 8-10. Nolan Lee of Wellington came in first place in the Family Tradition category for ages 11-14.
(Cissna Park--jc) The 134th annual Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion is set for Thursday through Saturday in downtown Cissna Park. A Talent Show hilites the event on Thursday night. The Dixie Flyer band performs on Friday night at 7-30pm and the Mike Porter and Marsha Banning Show is on stage Saturday night at 8. Swyear Amusements is on the midway all three days and someone will win a 20-21 Buick Encore on Saturday night. The annual Old Settlers parade steps off at noon on Saturday.
(Springfield-jm) -- A package of new state laws will help protect the mental health and physical wellbeing of first responders in Illinois. The changes include more options for sentencing Scott’s Law violators, a clarification that drivers need to slow down and move over when they see flashing lights on the side of the road and a new task force to study ways to prevent these crashes, says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Another new law creates an online resource for first responders to get information about depression and anxiety, nutrition, suicide prevention and other topics.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul teen is one of 300 students nationwide to win a scholarship for volunteerism. Lovenya Perry received a $2,500 dollar scholarship from the Spherion Franchise Community’s Annual Sandy Mazur Awards. She’s volunteered for more than five-thousand hours of community service in the past four years.
(Champaign County-jm) -- None of the recent cases of COVID infection from Champaign County residents came from Lollipalooza. Despite fears that the music festival, which saw more than 100,000 attend, would become a COVID superspreader event, health officials announced 203 cases were linked to it. Champaign Urbana Public Health officials encouraged people who attended to take the test. None of those that tested came back positive.
(Paxton-jm) -- The 9th annual Paxton Swine n Dine will take place on Saturday, September 18th. Country singer Michael Ray will headline the music act that evening. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer talks about the bbq competition…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.
(Mahomet-jm) -- The village of Mahomet is opening a brokerage account with TD Ameritrade. The village decided to open the account to receive donations for various projects including upgrades to Barber Park.
(Springfield-dg)-The hog calling contest took place at the State Fair. Kim Howard reports.
