(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says the state is moving as quickly as possible to get the recent ruling against his school mask mandate overturned. Governor Pritzker says the temporary restraining order is out of step with public health guidance and that masking is about protecting the public…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor urges schools not involved in the lawsuit to keep mask rules in place. He’s asked the Attorney General to aggressively appeal the order. Turning to the latest COVID numbers. Since Friday, the state reported 13,953 new cases and 237 additional deaths. The seven day positivity rate has fallen to 7.2 percent. Champaign County reported 778 new cases and 1 additional death. Vermilion County reported 119 new cases. Iroquois County reported 106 new cases and 4 additional deaths. Ford County did not have a report Monday.
(Springfield-jm) – The State Board of Education is looking for groups to help ensure children have access to healthy meals this summer. Schools, park districts, camps, churches and other organizations are urged to sign up for the state’s summer meal program and distribute food to kids, says ISBE Principal consultant Tim Murphy…
State Board of Education Principal Consultant Tim Murphy. Interested groups can learn more online at: isbe dot net slash nutrition. Nearly 18 million meals were served to students last summer.
(Watseka-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is recommending that people in the Watseka area test their drinking water for contamination if the water comes from private wells. The IDPH said vinyl chloride was detected in one of Watseka’s community water supply wells at levels that exceed the quality standard of Illinois groundwater. People with private wells located within 1500 feet of 800 East Walnut Street are encouraged to have their water tested by a private laboratory. For a list of these labs, please contact Michael Flanagan, IDPH Champaign Regional Office, by phone at 217-840-0418
(Springfield-jm) – Republican members of the Illinois House are proposing changes to the criminal justice and police reform legislation passed last year. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City discusses some of the legislation being proposed by his colleagues…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Sheriff’s office is mourning the death of one of their officers. Deputy Brian Norton passed away. The sheriff’s office hasn’t released a cause of death. WPXN News will bring updates on this matter as they become available.
(Paxton-jm) – A Sangamon County man has pleaded guilty to a string of burglaries including the Village Pantry in Paxton. John Beck of Mechanicsburg pleaded guilty to four counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of bank robbery, one count of armed bank robbery and one count of attempted escape. Beck admitted to robbing the Dollar General in Buffalo on April 8, the Odell Bank in Odell on April 9, the Fast Stop Store in Odell on April 17, the Village Pantry in Paxton on April 18, the Subway in Danville on April 19 and the Elmwood Bank in Elmwood on April 20. Beck, who is set to be sentenced May 25, faces penalties ranging from five to up to 25 years’ imprisonment for each count.
(Springfield-jm) – Attorney General Kwame Raoul is unveiling a new proposal to fight organized retail crime. Along with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Attorney General Raoul is pushing legislation that would give prosecutors more power to go after these crime rings and allow the Attorney General’s Office to convene a statewide grand jury…
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Officials say organized retail theft has increased by 60 percent over the last five years. Raoul says groups are stealing large amounts of merchandise and then selling it to fund illegal activities.
(Champaign-jm) – C-U at Home's One Winter Night fundraiser came close to completing its $500,000 donation goal, officials said in a press release. Participants spent the night in boxes outside to raise awareness for homelessness as a community issue. The event was held on Friday, February 4, but the location was shifted from sidewalks to outside of event headquarters at The Venue CU because of weather conditions. The fundraiser had a strong showing and donations reached over 70 percent of the goal. Leaders said the participation of several satellite locations helped with the success of One Winter Night. There were box dwellers in Farmer City, Shorewood, Mahomet, other Champaign locations, and the University of Illinois Quad. About 150 people participated.
(Paxton-jm) – The 2022 PBL FFA Farm Toy Show will take place this Saturday at PBL High School in Paxton. Member Alexis Putnam talks about the featured tractor…
PBL FFA Member Alexis Putnam.
(Kankakee County-jm) – The Kankakee County Coroner’s and Sheriff’s office is investigating the death of an inmate at the county jail. Terrance Washington was found unresponsive in his cell. EMTs were called but were unable to revive Washington. An autopsy has been scheduled.
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a retail theft that happened at a Walmart on January 25. According to Urbana Police, they were dispatched to 100 South High Cross Road at around 6:15 p.m. When they arrived on scene, they learned that a man had selected merchandise totaling just under $600 and left the store without paying for the items. He was seen leaving the parking lot in a white sedan. The suspect was described as a heavyset man, between 25 and 35 years old. He was last seen wearing a black stocking cap and gray jacket.
