(Springfield-jm) – As another winter storm moves into Illinois, the State Department of Transportation is warning the public about potentially dangerous road conditions. Heavy rain and snow, flooding and blustery winds will impact travel, and drivers need to be prepared, says IDOT Spokesperson Maria Castaneda…

 

 

IDOT Spokesperson Maria Castaneda. Since the weather will vary widely across the state, IDOT recommends checking their winter road conditions map online at: getting around illinois dot com before traveling. Many schools around the area have chosen e-learning for today. Rantoul City Schools announced that, with one exception, the district is canceling all after-school activities today. The ExPLORES, DREAMM, and DMBGC programs are all included in the cancellations. The one exception is the JW Eater band concert scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The district said it will make a final decision on the concert at noon.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The State of Illinois may soon get a new Legislative Inspector General. Senate President Don Harmon says the State Senate advanced a resolution nominating Judge Michael McCuskey to be the new Legislative Inspector General. The previous Legislative Inspector General resigned on December 15, 2021.

 

 

(Champaign–jc)  – The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in an apartment building at 52 E. Armory Ave.last night just after 10pm  Fire crews quickly extinguished a small fire in this three-story apartment building.  Firefighters responded to a report of a burning odor in a second-floor apartment called in by the occupant.  Once on the scene, fire crews found a fire contained in the wall between two apartments and upgraded the incident to a working fire.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire using fire extinguishers.   The fire was accidental and started in the wall between two apartments.  No injuries were reported.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says Illinois school children and staff should still be wearing a mask. Despite a legislative commission voting down a new mask emergency rule Tuesday, the Governor says the original mandate is still in place…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says all districts not covered by the lawsuit need to keep masking up until the Appellate Court makes its decision.

 

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,323 new Coronavirus cases and 104 additional deaths. The seven day positivity rate fell to 3.6 percent. Vermilion County reported 34 new cases and 2 additional deaths. Champaign County reported 29 new cases and 2 additional deaths. Ford and Iroquois Counties did not have a report Wednesday.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a vacant home at 508 E. Eureka St., Wednesday at 2:21 p.m.  Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire in this single-family home.  Firefighters responded to a report of light smoke coming from this vacant two-story residence called in by a passerby.  Once on the scene, fire crews reported light smoke coming from the home.  Firefighters found a fire on the stairs leading to the second floor.  Crews deployed multiple hose lines and extinguished the fire.      

 

(Washington-jm) – Prices to broiler producers are higher than expected, but production is running a little lower than expected. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Springfield-jm) – Low-to-moderate income families and senior citizens needing assistance filing their 2021 income taxes can receive free help through several programs around Illinois. The Internal Revenue Service, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program, and Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program are providing free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in locations statewide. Taxpayers can search for a nearby provider by visiting tax.illinois.gov. 

 

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Pork Producers Association has released its annual scholarship applications for undergraduate students. The applications are due via mail or email on March 1, 2022, at 4 p.m. Applicants have three scholarship options between IPPA's Illinois Pork Donor-Advised Scholarship, the Adam Fesser Scholarship, and the Ryan & Friend Scholarship.

 

(Washington-jm) – Slower growth in milk output and rising demand may spur some of the highest milk and dairy product prices in years. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

The Paxton ERS chicken and noodle supper scheduled for tonight has been postponed until next Thursday due to the incoming inclement weather.