(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Board of Education came out with new remote learning guidance for school districts after some have closed down due to a high number of students in quarantine. According to the Illinois State Board of Education’s guidance, school districts that decide to take a pause from in-person learning also known as adaptive pause due to high COVID-19 transmission will be allowed to, but they have to consult with their local health department first and then provide remote learning to students during the pause.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- No state government ethics reform after the Illinois House failed to accept the Governor’s amendatory veto. The measure was passed earlier this year but the Governor made a minor change. The bill banned lawmakers from becoming lobbyists right after they leave office and from lobbying local governments. From the get-go, Republicans like Representative C-D Davidsmeyer of Jacksonville said the legislation didn’t go far enough to tackle corruption. He argued that they can do better…

 

 

State Representative C-D Davidsmeyer. The Senate accepted the amendatory veto but the House did not, essentially killing the bill.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported over 5000 new Coronavirus cases Wednesday. Vermilion County reported 100 new cases. Champaign County reported 240 new cases and 1 additional death. Ford and Iroquois Counties did not have a report Wednesday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State lawmakers returned to Springfield Tuesday to take up a new legislative map proposal. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the original proposal was unfair…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- Carle Health is increasing its minimum wage to $15 an hour. The organization says it's to help increase team member support and strengthen work culture. The increase in minimum wage begins immediately and will be fully implemented before the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department and Gibson Area Hospital are hosting a parkinson screening today. Megan Reutter with the Ford County Public Health Department talks about the screening…

 

 

Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A House Republican who sought “data, studies, scientific or medical articles, and correspondence” from people advocating in support of school mask mandates got her answer in dramatic fashion on Tuesday. Governor Pritzker’s office responded to an August 10th Freedom of Information Act Request filed by Representative Tony McCombie by sending a staffer to her legislative office in Springfield to hand-deliver 870 pages of studies and letters from parents that supported the mask mandate.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing an expansion of mental health services for farmers across the state. A $500 thousand federal grant will be used to make it easier for struggling farmers to connect with mental health professionals, says the Governor. That includes implementing a hotline statewide, with options for texting and emailing to find resources as well…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The money will also be used to train mental health providers in the unique challenges those working in the ag industry face.

 

(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.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch has unveiled their corn maze for this year. The theme is Day of the Dead and honors Día de Los Muertos and the Mexican tradition of celebrating the lives of those who have passed away. The corn maze covers 10 acres. Tickets are $8 for daytime challenges and $9 after 5 p.m..

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul Police Department is looking to hire a social worker. Mayor Chuck Smith says there is a growing need to hire social workers to handle certain issues…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.