(Springfield-jm) – A measure that would allow all municipalities in Illinois to tack on a local gas tax on top of the state’s gas tax is being opposed by the group representing gas stations. The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association said Illinois already has the second-highest gas taxes in the country and House Bill 4424 could make that even higher.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 93,343 new cases and 251 additional deaths since Friday. The state did not have a report Monday because of the Martin Luther King Jr holiday. Locally since Friday, Champaign County reported 2,776 new cases and 4 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 49,995 and deaths to 245. Vermilion County reported 1,062 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 24,089 and deaths to 251. Iroquois County reported 377 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 6,325 and deaths to 94. Ford County did not have a report.
(Springfield-jm) – Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie is renewing his call to empower Illinois voters. GOP Leader McConchie has a package of constitutional amendments that he says provides the government with the needed checks and balances…
State Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie. One of the amendments creates an independent commission to draw legislative districts while another lets voters initiate referendums on newly passed laws. A third gives voters the ability to recall elected officials including legislators and local government leaders.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man is facing up to 20 years behind bars after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and firearms charges. Curtis Coleman admitted he had been selling drugs out of an apartment in the 1800 block of Oliver Drive in Urbana. He also told the judge he had multiple firearms despite being a convicted felon. A search of his home turned up approximately 200 grams of cocaine as well as marijuana and crack cocaine.
(Washington-jm) – South America dominates the global outlook for corn. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Danville-jm) – Vermilion County has become the latest to back the Illinois Second Amendment Preservation Act. The board got a standing ovation after approving the ordinance. Nineteen voted ‘yes’, four ‘no’, and four board members were absent. Some board members argued that the county does not need any more laws for law-abiding citizens. Those voting against the ordinance were Robert Boyd, Phearn Butler, Diane Frazier-Brennemen, and board vice-chairman Craig Golden.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois is looking for participants in a study to investigate the relationship behind diet, gut health and metabolic health. Participants will be chosen among healthy adults aged 30 to 60 years who are not taking medications that affect gastrointestinal function. Additional exclusions also apply and people interested in participating are advised to contact study organizers for further details. The study will consist of a 12-week dietary intervention period where participants will eat a provided pre-packaged snack two times per day. Snacks will be picked up from the testing site once per month. Participants will be asked to visit a lab three times during the study to complete questionnaires, DXA scans, liver ultrasounds and blood draws. Six stool samples will also be collected.
(Springfield-jm) – A new report from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools says that Illinois’ educator shortage is worse than ever before. The 2021 Illinois Educator Shortage Survey details the perspective of 663 school districts across the state, representing 78% of Illinois’ public schools. 88% of responding superintendents say they have a teacher shortage problem, and 77% say they believe it will get worse. 96% of superintendents say they have a shortage of substitutes, and 90% expect it to get worse.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is urging snowmobilers to focus on safety this winter. Riders need to make sure their snowmobile is in good running condition and wear the proper clothing and equipment like helmets, gloves and goggles, says DNR Safety Education Administrator Jeff Hopkins. He says when people get into trouble, it’s often because they don’t know the land very well and run into fences or try and cross bodies of water…
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Safety Education Administrator Jeff Hopkins. Hopkins says another big problem is people drinking and snowmobiling. He recommends always riding with someone else and keeping an eye on the weather.
(Washington-jm) – USDA is estimating increased domestic soybean production. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Kankakee County-jm) – A Champaign man was arrested in Kankakee County on multiple charges. Justin Collins was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, driving while license suspended and speeding 15-20 mph over the limit. Collins was stopped for multiple traffic infractions on I-57 near Kankakee.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a burglary. According to police, on January 6, two suspects broke into an ATM at Central Illinois Bank located at 2913 West Kirby Avenue at around 3:30 a.m.. Police said the offenders were driving a stolen maroon/silver Ford F350 pickup truck and made away with an undisclosed amount of money. Surveillance video captured the suspects at the ATM. They appeared to be two men wearing hoods, masks and gloves.
