(Springfield-jm) -- Residents in several downstate communities are soon going to have to make an appointment to get their driver’s license renewed. Secretary of State Jesse White’s office is expanding its appointment system to 13 more facilities including Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, Bloomington, Belleville and Marion. Spokesperson Henry Haupt says this applies to license and I-D renewals, behind the wheel tests and getting the real I-D…
Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt. The change is being phased in over the next couple of months. 16 Chicago area facilities already use this system. Visit il sos dot gov for more information.
(Springfield-jm) -- State Representative Dan Brady of Normal has announced his Campaign for Illinois Secretary of State. Current Secretary of State Jesse White announced earlier this year he will not seek re-election.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 4,989 new Coronavirus cases and 23 additional deaths. The state’s seven day positivity rate rose to 3.5%. Champaign County reported 93 new cases. Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties did not have a report Wednesday.
(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police will be conducting Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols this weekend. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details..
(Urbana-jm) -- The Champaign County Board will be making a decision on the future of its two jails tonight. The sheriff's office currently holds inmates in two different locations in the county. The sheriff and Special Jail Facilities Committee have proposed a $20 million expansion to the satellite jail on Lierman Avenue. The expansion would move inmates from the downtown jail to the satellite and allow all inmates to be overseen at one location.
(Champaign-jm) -- A man is dead after falling while walking across Bradley Avenue Tuesday night. Champaign Police were called at approximately 11:14 p.m. to East Bradley Avenue and North Neil Street. Arriving officers found 29-year-old Justin Bradley Young in the roadway with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead just after midnight Wednesday. Police believe the victim was walking northbound across Bradley Avenue when he fell and was hit by an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was not impaired and no tickets were issued.
(Springfield-jm) -- The state of Illinois is making it easier for students to apply for college. The state is rolling out the Common App which allows students to apply to any state university using the same application. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about what all the app can do…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper tonight from 5-7 pm at their building located at 134 W. State Street. Meal includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread dessert and drink for $10.
(Washington-jm) -- Hog prices are falling right now, but will 2022 bring relief? Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- Winter weather will be here before you know it and the Illinois State Police and Department of Transportation want to make sure the public is prepared. If the roads are bad and you must head out, State Police Lieutenant Jody Huffman says planning ahead is your best option…
Illinois State Police Lieutenant Jody Huffman. Huffman also advises slowing down, being especially careful on ramps and bridges and giving I-DOT snowplows plenty of room to clear the roads.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Board of Education will be putting hundreds of thousands of dollars to address the state's teacher shortage. Teacher residency programs will be developed thanks to $750,000 in state funds. The goal is to help new teachers feel better prepared to enter the classroom with a focus on rural areas, along with early childhood and special education teachers.
(Paxton-tr)-- The Paxton Pride Christmas Parade wishes to highlight a guideline set in place and be sure that all entrants in the parade do not portray Santa Clause. Paxton Christmas Parade Spokesperson Teri Hancock shares how multiple Saint Nicks may confuse young children…
Paxton Pride Christmas Parade Spokesperson Teri Hancock
(Urbana-jm) -- New data from the CDC shows more than 100,000 Americans died from overdoses during the first 12 months of the pandemic, jumping 28.5% from the year prior. And in Illinois, the overdose rate from 2019 to 2020 rose by 33%. Carle Health is taking action by starting a new initiative to fight opioid addiction.
(Gifford-jm) -- Eight years ago yesterday lives were changed forever in Gifford. A tornado ripped through town, destroying or damaging about 200 homes. The tornado was one of three that hit Champaign County that day.
(Paxton-tr) -- The brush pile in Paxton is being considered for an upgrade. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold explains how current operations are causing a few problems with local residents...
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Washington-jm) -- Steer prices are rising right now, but can they keep the momentum into 2022? Gary Crawford reports…
