(Springfield-jm) – A Sangamon County judge issued a temporary restraining order on Governor JB Pritzker’s executive orders for public school mitigations late Friday night. Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow said in her ruling that students at more than 170 school districts in Illinois, which were named in the lawsuit, won't have to wear a mask if they don't want to unless they are given due process. Certain unvaccinated school staff also will not have to take weekly COVID-19 tests if they don't want to. They would also need to have due process. Pritzker’s mandates for masks and exclusion policies in schools and vaccines or testing for teachers have been in place since last fall.Governor Pritzker has asked the Illinois Attorney General’s office for an immediate appeal of Judge Grischow’s decision. The ruling is just for the districts listed in the lawsuit but could have an impact on future mitigations and other districts.
(Springfield-jm) – The latest COVID-19 numbers from the Illinois Department of Public Health show some positive declines over the past week. New cases dropped by more than half, with 60,389 reported since last Friday. Deaths are also down, 608 this week compared to 843. That’s a nearly 28 percent decrease. Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s pleased to see the numbers going in the right direction…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Hospitalizations have dropped by nearly 31 percent in Illinois. Close to 71 percent of Illinoisans ages 5 and up are now fully vaccinated. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 18,464 new Coronavirus cases and 123 additional deaths Friday. No reports were given Thursday because of the winter storm. Champaign County reported 603 new cases and 2 additional deaths. Vermilion County reported 280 new cases and 5 additional deaths. Ford County reported 108 new cases.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Police is pleading with the public to slow down and move over after six squad cars were struck during the winter storm. The crashes occurred over the two day event and no life threatening injuries were reported. But Illinois State Police Trooper Hailey Polistina says the majority were related to motorists violating Scott’s Law, requiring drivers to reduce speed and switch lanes when they see flashing lights on the side of the road. She says they’re asking people to stay home if possible until the roads are in better shape…
State Trooper Hailey Polistina. Getting a ticket for violating “Scott’s Law” will cost you at least $250. If you end up hurting someone as a result, you could lose your license for several months. Two of the six were local with one in Urbana and the other in Vermilion County.
(Farmer City-jm) – A garage owned by Farmer City’s Streets Department caught fire and burned down Sunday afternoon. The garage, located on the corner of Monroe and James Streets, was used for storage. Snow plows were stored there and the plows are believed to have been inside when the fire started. The cause has not been determined.
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Buckley Loda FFA Chapter will hold their Farm Toy Show this coming Saturday. Member Carlie Putnam has the details of this year’s show…
PBL FFA Member Carlie Putnam. The featured tractor at this year’s show is the Oliver 880.
(Ford County-jm) – Ford County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 10 traffic accidents during the month of January. Deputies issued 3 citations for speeding, 2 each for driving on a suspended license and cannabis outside an approved container and 1 each for disregarding a stop sign and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Deputies also responded to 5 domestic issues, 3 thefts and 1 each of criminal damage to property, fraud, harassment and missing person.
(Springfield-jm) – The director of the Department of Children and Family Services is facing questions over his agency’s handling of some youth in their care. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is touting his Illinois Family Relief Plan. The Governor says thanks to a surplus in the current state budget, he’s proposing one billion dollars in tax breaks for Illinoisans. That includes a one year suspension of the state tax on groceries…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker’s proposal also includes freezing the upcoming increase in the gas tax and providing a one time property tax rebate of up to 300 dollars. All three of these ideas will have to be approved by the legislature.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign teenager is charged with four counts of first degree murder in an October 31 shooting at an apartment complex. Seventeen year-old Tony Brock is being charged as an adult due to the serious nature of the alleged crime. He appeared via video from the juvenile jail before Judge Brett Olmstead and learned of a sentence of 45 years to life in prison to be served at 100% if convicted. Brock is accused of shooting and killing 20 year-old Brandon Kelly of Champaign.
(Buckley-tr) – Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley is offering Open Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school season. Christ Lutheran High School Director Sandy Spitz has more information on how to enroll…
Christ Lutheran High School Director Sandy Spitz.
(Paxton-jm) – A Paxton church is raising funds for a couple who lost their home to fire. The Federated Church is raising funds for Russ and Nancy Taylor who lost their home to fire Thursday night. The fire rekindled early Friday morning making it a total loss.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Republicans are urging changes to the police reform law. The Democratic majority of the Illinois General Assembly approved extreme changes in police and criminal justice reform including the elimination of cash bail among other proposals by the legislative Black Caucus. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says they are pushing for changes including some that have Democrat support…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
State Senator Scott Bennett is hosting a Valentine’s Day card collection through Thursday, February 10th. Cards can be mailed to his Danville office: 201 N. Vermilion St., Suite 323 Danville, IL 61832.
