(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritkzer is announcing a major effort to address homelessness in Illinois. The Governor has issued a new executive order that creates an interagency task force, the position of State Homelessness Chief and a community advisory council. He says this will help better coordinate existing programs for those struggling...

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says homelessness occurs all over Illinois, from the city of Chicago to rural areas in downstate Illinois.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- School staff and health care workers have two more weeks to get vaccinated before they'll be required to get weekly testing, state officials said. After originally announcing a September 5 deadline, Governor J-B Pritzker issued an extension to the executive order.

 

 

(Pesotum-jm) -- Illinois State Police will be conducting Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols tonight. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Tax bills for Ford and Iroquois County residents are due this week. The second installment for Ford County residents is due Friday. For Iroquois County residents the second installment is due today.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- An area state lawmaker is calling for local control when it comes to the handling of the state's Coronavirus pandemic. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says he is joining several other Republican members of the general assembly in calling for more local control…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- This is National Preparedness Month and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency wants you to be ready for anything. Disaster can strike unexpectedly, so it’s important to gather emergency supplies ahead of time, says IEMA Spokesperson Rebecca Clark…

 

 

IEMA Spokesperson Rebecca Clark. The kit should have a flashlight, weather radio, blankets, batteries, a first aid kit and water says Clark. She stresses that it’s also important to get your kids involved with emergency planning, and designate a meeting point should something happen when everyone isn’t together.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Sixty schools have been placed on probation in total for not following Gov. JB Pritzker's mask mandate. The Illinois State Board of Education began enforcing the executive order nearly a month ago. Just in the last week, 22 school districts have changed their plans and are now requiring masks, according to numbers ISBE released.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- There is new economic development coming to the village of Rantoul. Mayor Chuck Smith talks about some of the new development coming to the village…

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District will once again be holding their fall fish and tree sale. Fish orders are due today while tree orders are due by October 8th. To place your order call 217-379-4388.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The debate over legislative maps continues. Lawmakers were back in Springfield last week to take up another proposal which Republicans continue to call it unfair. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says it's past time for lawmakers to make the maps…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.