(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s hopeful more people will get vaccinated against COVID-19 now that the FDA has approved the Pfizer shot. Formal federal approval may give those uncertain about the shot a nudge, says the Governor…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. 61 and a half percent of those 12 and older in Illinois are now fully vaccinated. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 9,213 cases since Friday and 44 additional deaths. The seven day positivity rate did fall to 5.9 percent. Locally, Champaign County reported 255 new cases and 1 additional death since Friday. Vermilion County reported 92 new cases. Iroquois County reported 65 new cases. Ford County did not have a report.
(Urbana-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign are celebrating the school’s successful Shield COVID-19 testing program. The groundbreaking saliva test created by the U of I provides quick results at a lower cost, used now in other countries and by large corporations, says Governor Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. While on campus, Governor Pritkzer also announced a major investment in completely restoring Altgeld Hall and replacing Illini Hall with a new facility that will house a data sciences center.
(Paxton-jm) -- Several Paxton streets are getting upgrades. Mayor Bill Ingold has what streets are seeing the upgrades…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Ford County-jm) -- Governor JB Pritzker announced Monday that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved the state's request for assistance after severe flooding earlier this month. Low-interest, long-term loans through SBA will be available for home and business owners in Ford County, along with neighboring counties including Champaign, Iroquois, Vermilion, and McLean counties. A Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be set up in Ford County at the Gibson City Fire Department to help people through the application process. The Center will open Thursday, August 26th, at 9 a.m. and remain open until September 9th.
(Gilman-jm) -- The Iroquois County Public Health Department is announcing a bird in the Gilman area has tested positive for west nile. The health department says it's the first case of west nile in the county so far this year.
(Springfield-jm) -- It was a little warmer and drier over the past week as we hear in the latest crop report. Temps were about one degree above normal and rainfall was more than a quarter inch below. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 85 percent of corn has reached the dough stage or beyond and 50 percent has dented. Looking at soybeans…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The third cutting of alfalfa hay is now 87 percent complete and average statewide topsoil moisture declined to five percent very short, 31 percent short, 56 percent adequate and eight percent surplus.
(Champaign-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is kicking off a new highway interchange project in Champaign. The nearly 217 million dollar undertaking will rebuild the Interstate 57 and 74 interchange, which was originally constructed more than 50 years ago. IDOT Secretary Omer Osman says the new design will move traffic more efficiently and safely…
IDOT Secretary Omer Osman. The project is expected to be completed in 2025.
(Mahomet-jm) -- An ethics complaint against the Pritzker administration continues despite reports a state agency apologized for opening an investigation into a school board member who opposes mandating masks in schools. State Senator Chapin Rose said the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation closed an investigation and apologized to his constituent, who is a doctor and a school board member. But, Rose said his ethics complaint about the matter has not been dismissed.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Wine and Chocolate Walk will be making a return this fall. Chamber President Alan Meyer has the early details…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.
(Urbana-jm) -- A new administrator at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign will advise school leadership on Native American issues. Jacki Thompson Rand was appointed by the associate vice chancellor for native affairs. Rand is a professor of history and a citizen of the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma.
(Springfield-jm) -- It was a little warmer and drier over the past week as we hear in the latest crop report. The statewide average temp was about 75 degrees and rainfall averaged less than half an inch. 84 percent of soybeans are setting pods and the condition of the crop declined to 67 percent in good to excellent condition. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener turns to corn…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Less rain meant average statewide topsoil moisture dropped to five percent very short, 31 percent short, 56 percent adequate and eight percent surplus.
