(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 4,942 new Coronavirus cases and 14 additional deaths Friday. On Friday, Ford County reported 67 new cases. Vermilion County reported 112 new cases. Champaign County reported 124 new cases. Iroquois County did not have a report.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois lawmakers are holding hearings around the state in anticipation of this week’s special session on redistricting. New legislative maps have already been approved, but may need to be tweaked based on recently released census data. The public is invited to offer their thoughts about how districts should be drawn. Springfield Representative Tim Butler remains critical of the process, saying the new maps are drawn behind closed doors with no transparency…
State Representative Tim Butler of Springfield. Some who have already spoken at the hearings, including those representing minority communities, are urging lawmakers to slow down and wait for further census details to come out before new political boundaries. The special session will be held on Tuesday.
(Ford County-jm) -- Three people suffered life-threatening injuries in a Thursday morning crash in Ford County. A Friday press release from state police said this happened at about 7:45 a.m. Thursday. They said a 2007 Volvo was moving eastbound on 1200 North Road approaching the intersection of IL-115. At the same time, a 2016 Dodge was moving northbound on IL-115 at the intersection with 1200 North. Troopers said the driver of the Volvo was using a phone and failed to stop at a stop sign. The car continued eastbound and hit the Dodge. State police identified the driver and passenger of the Volvo as Juanita Kesterson of Melvin and Joey Loveless of Melvin, respectively. Stephen Bloomstrand of Loda was identified as the driver of the Dodge.
(Chebanse-jm) -- A Chebanse man has been arrested on child pornography charges. Alexander Hamilton was charged with possession of child pornography after state police executed a search warrant at his residence. Bond was set at $75,000.
(Undated-jm) -- A new mask mandate goes into effect today in Illinois. Ford County Public Health Community Educator Megan Reutter explains the newest mandate…
Ford County Public Health Community Educator Megan Reutter.
(Undated-jm) -- Unemployment rates were down in July compared to one year ago. In Champaign County the unemployment rate was 5.2 percent. That’s down from 9.3 percent a year ago. In Ford County the unemployment rate went from 8.6 to 4.6. Vermilion County, 11.4 percent to 6.5 percent. Iroquois County went from 7.3 to 4.3.
(Springfield-jm) -- A House task force reviewing statues and monuments in Illinois continues its work, with a look at erecting a salute to former President Barack Obama. The committee is discussing which statues should stay and which should be replaced. Last year, statues of Stephen Douglas and Pierre Menard were removed from the capitol grounds because both men were slave owners. Some suggest President Obama should be honored, since he served as an Illinois State and U-S Senator, and announced his candidacy for presidency in Springfield. Area Representative Tim Butler agrees…
State Representative Tim Butler of Springfield. Butler says others have suggested a statue of President Ronald Regan who was born in Illinois. Chicago Representative Mary Flowers stressed that they aren’t looking for perfect people to honor, but for monuments to tell the truth about history.
(Buckley-jm) -- A man whose body was found in a tanker truck near Buckley in June died of an overdose, authorities confirmed. Garrett Meyer of Nashville, Illinois had toxic levels of amphetamines and fentanyl in his system, according to autopsy results released by the Iroquois County Coroner’s Office. He also had a blood alcohol level of .181.
(Undated-jm) -- Tax bills for Ford and Iroquois County residents have gone out. The second installment for Ford County residents is due September 10th. For Iroquois County residents the second installment is due September 7th.
(Buckley-jm) -- An area insurance company is changing names but the service and people will remain the same. Abbe Insurance Owner Larry Abbe says they are now associated with Edge for their ag insurance side…
Abbe Insurance Owner Larry Abbe.
(Gibson city--jc) Some good news about some federal help for flood victims in Ford County. 106th district State Representative Tom Bennett has the details…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett
(Elliott-jm) -- Elliott village leaders are reviewing results of a recent water rate study. The study revealed the need to increase funds to pay engineering fees for current water main improvement project, paint the existing water tower and create a contingency fund for capital improvements. Village leaders are looking into the options.
