(Springfield-jm) – Insurance companies may soon have to cover the cost of plastic surgery for survivors of domestic violence. Abuse victims often need plastic surgery or other treatments to heal their injuries, but insurance companies frequently deem those treatments as cosmetic and won’t cover them. That’s why a new bill at the Statehouse aims to require insurance companies in Illinois to fully cover those treatments for abuse victims once a licensed doctor approves of that coverage.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois much like the rest of the country has a major shortage of teachers. State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas is hoping to help ease that shortage with a bill she's sponsoring. Senate Bill 3988 calls for lowering the age requirement for educator paraprofessionals from 19 to 18 for paraprofessionals who work in pre-K to eighth grade classrooms. The measure on Thursday passed the Senate Education Committee and heads to the full Senate for additional consideration.
(Washington-jm) – There are a number of market factors helping to support U.S. soybean prices. Gary Crawford reports…
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 5,419 new cases and 116 additional deaths. The seven day positivity rate fell to 5.8 percent. Thursday, Champaign County reported 331 new cases and 4 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 60,306 and deaths to 271. Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties did not have a report Thursday.
(Buckley-tr) -- The Owners of the 103 Bar and Grill in Buckley with the help of Katharine Grayson will be hosting a benefit to honor the life and family of Brian Norton, a Ford County Sheriff's Deputy who passed away recently. Brian Norton Benefit Spokesperson Katharine Grayson details the event…
Brian Norton Benefit Spokesperson Katharine Grayson
(Champaign-jm) – A 66-year-old man is facing hate crime charges after a 43-year-old woman told police officers about her encounter with him in Hessel Park on December 27. A man allegedly made Asian-directed slurs. Fearful of what he might do, the woman began recording him with her phone. In response, he allegedly knocked the phone out of her hands. This man eventually left when another person intervened and threatened to call the police. When the woman went home, she called Champaign Police to make a report. Charles Stedwell of Champaign saw his picture in the Crime Stoppers’ post and came forward to the Champaign Police.
(Springfield-tr) A judge in Springfield last week made a ruling about the Illinois mask mandate and has left many school districts around the state to forge their own plans. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennet of Gibson City provides more information…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennet of Gibson City.
(Iroquois County-tr) - The Iroquois County Public Health Department is offering CPR/AED classes to help local residents learn the tools needed to provide life saving care during American Heart Month. Iroquois County Public Health Department Community Health Educator Gina Greene shares the details on class times and the costs involved…
Iroquois County Public Health Department Community Health Educator Gina Greene
(Champaign-jm) – A 19-year-old pleaded not guilty in connection to a car hijacking that happened on February 1 on the U of I campus. This was Sintrae Cobb’s first appearance at the Champaign County Courthouse. Cobb faces multiple charges, including armed robbery, vehicular hijacking, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting a police officer. His next court date is scheduled for March 8.
(Springfield-jm) – There's a new way for students to find the right college for them. The State of Illinois launched a project to make the process easier for students and parents. The Illinois Postsecondary Profiles project utilizes comprehensive data directly from Illinois higher education state agencies and Illinois’ 160 public and private universities and community colleges.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Housing Development Authority said it is taking steps to protect applicants' personal information. On February 1, IHDA became aware of a breach of the Illinois Rental Payment Program web portal where some tenant applicants could see documents submitted by other tenant applicants. The agency determined the exposure was not caused by hackers, but by a coding error on the portal.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's 2022 Agricultural Outlook Forum will present core commodity outlooks, and also examine current issues in the world of agriculture. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Urbana-jm) – A woman admitted she was driving drunk in a 2021 crash that caused the death of a University of Illinois police lieutenant. Logan Freed of Champaign pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence in connection to the August 22nd crash. This crash began a chain of events that led to the death of Aaron Landers of St. Joseph. At the time of the crash, Landers, who was a U of I police lieutenant, was on his motorcycle while riding southbound on Prospect Avenue at about 6:10 p.m. Authorities said he collided with a car that was struck by Freed's vehicle. Freed faces 4-15 years in prison.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 5,419 new cases and 116 additional deaths. The seven day positivity rate fell to 5.8 percent. Thursday, Champaign County reported 331 new cases and 4 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 60,306 and deaths to 271. Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties did not have a report Thursday.
(Paxton–jc) One candidate for Illinois Governor made a stop in Iroquois, Ford and Champaign Counties this week. Republican Gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan talks about his stance of some important issues…
Republican Gubernatorial candidate Jesse Sullivan of Petersburg
(Savoy-jm) – A man from Savoy is facing decades in prison for alleged sexual exploitation of a minor. David Berry was arrested and charged last October by the Champaign County State’s Attorney, but new federal charges were recently filed against him. Berry made an initial appearance in federal court, during which he was formally indicted. Judge Eric Long ordered that Berry remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending a detention hearing on February 15. If convicted, Berry faces 15 to 30 years in prison for the crime. At this time, the indictment is only an accusation and Berry is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
(Undated-jm) – There could be some good news for those who don’t like winter weather but it may not last. That’s according to State Climatologist Trent Ford…
State Climatologist Trent Ford.
(Paxton–jc) The annual Paxton Buckley Loda Toy Show is set for P-B-L High School tomorrow from 9am to 2-30pm P-B-L F-F-A Member Jordan Walder says there are more than just toys at the event, it's a chance to learn more about agriculture…
P-B-L F-F-A Member Jordan Walder.
The PBL FFA Toy Show is Saturday from 9-2:30 at PBL High School.
The Rankin fire department will hold their 27th annual pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday from 6-1.
Parkland College Summer Camp Registration begins on February 15 at the college in Champaign
