(Springfield-jm) – As gas prices continue to skyrocket out of control, State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet is sponsoring legislation to provide permanent tax relief to families at the pump. The legislation, Senate Bill 4159, would cap the state’s sales tax on motor fuel at last year’s level – before the gas prices went through the roof. The plan could potentially save drivers $1 billion over the next fiscal year if gas prices reach $5.50 per gallon as many experts are predicting.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A joint resolution was adopted in the Senate Thursday creating the first Soil Health Day and Week celebration in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign. Bennett talks about the resolution on the Senate floor…

 

 

52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign. The measure now moves to the House.

 

(Washington-jm) – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin yesterday met virtually with Champaign County First to discuss county infrastructure priorities now that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has been signed into law. During their conversation, Durbin and Champaign County leaders discussed potential federal funding for several current projects in the region, including The Yards development at the Illinois Terminal of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District; the Curtis Road Underpass Project in Savoy; the Kickapoo Trail; the Florida Avenue Corridor Reconstruction Project; the South Mahomet Connection Project; and the long-term protection of the Village of Mahomet’s aquifer to continue providing 200 million gallons of groundwater per day to the nearly one million people it serves.

 

(Hoopeston-tr) – The Lorraine Theater in Hoopeston is Celebrating 100 years with a Live Lyrical Showcase set for Sunday March 13th at 3pm.  Lorraine Foundation Vice President Jim Richards shares how the show will kick off… 

 

 

Lorraine Foundation Vice President Jim Richards. Other Talent Includes the Hoopeston Show Choir, The Taubert Ladies, Jerry Urich,  Tyler Robinson, and Bob Wilson. 

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – A former Hoopeston man has been found guilty on six counts of home invasion and two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.  Donald Langston was accused of going to his estranged wife's home on Feb. 7, 2020 armed with a bat and a bb gun, forcing his way in, and attacking her and her family.  Langston struck his estranged wife in the head with the bat. Several other victims who were home during the home invasion suffered severe injuries to the head and body.  Police said Langston then chased his estranged wife out of the home and attacked her again. He was gone by the time police arrived.  Langston will be sentenced on May 4.

 

(St. Joe-tr) – Flags continue to  fly at half staff today in St. Joseph to honor the memory of fallen firefighter Ross Booker, a 20 year old who was struck while assisting at the scene of another accident. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at Stanton Cemetery in St, Joseph. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. today, with a Firefighter walk-through at 6:30 P.M.  at the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Gym.  Freese Funeral home inSt Joseph is assisting the family. St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges says the community is coming together and doing all they can to raise funds to help and honor the family of Booker…

 

 

St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges

 

(Danville-jm) – The Illinois Gaming Board issued a preliminary finding of suitability allowing the Golden Nugget casino in Danville to move forward. The finding was issued Thursday following a public presentation demonstrating that the casino presented by Danville Development, LLC meets all preliminary requirements and qualifications for Board licensure. This puts the Golden Nugget Danville casino one step closer to being granted a gaming license in the State of Illinois.

 

(Springfield-jm) – University of Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones joined legislative leaders to address the growing rise of antisemitism. Governor Pritzker announced a $20 million initiative to beef up security against terrorism and hate in his budget proposal last month. Antisemitic flyers were found on the U of I campus last month leading campus leaders to address the issue. Jones said there has been a rise in cases not just at the Champaign-Urbana campus but at the other system campuses. Parkland College also had flyers found last month as well.

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA cut South American soybean production. Stephanie  Ho reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, received notice from USDA Wildlife Services of the first confirmed highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 Avian Influenza in a wild bird in Illinois for 2022.  Three Canada geese, located in Will County were submitted for sampling on March 2, 2022.  The findings were confirmed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory on March 10. While Illinois has not seen any Avian Flu in backyard or commercial poultry within the state this year, this finding demonstrates that the virus is present and may be circulating within the wild bird population in Illinois.

 

(Danville-jm) – A Danville man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking and unlawful use of firearms.  Authorities say, Deandre Smith, 35 was sentenced to a combined term of 120 months in the Bureau of Prisons for convictions including distribution of fentanyl, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

 

(Champaign-jm) – In a closed study session, the Champaign City Council approved moving forward with a greenspace in the Garden Hills neighborhood. The council will not have to approve any further steps unless the project exceeds $75,000. The city would like to include wildflowers, a nature play space area and other amenities across the eight acres of land.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Legislation sponsored by State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City passed in Springfield. Representative Bennett says the legislation had bi-partisan support…

 

 

Representative Bennett explains more about the legislation…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of  Gibson City.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The State Farm Center will be flooded with high school basketball teams this weekend for the first time since 1995. The IHSA Boys State Basketball tournament started Thursday. Many people said it’s back home. For 77 years, the tournament was played at the U of I basketball arena. For the last 25 years, the tournament has been held in Peoria.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign is reopening a nationwide search for a Public Works Director.  The City’s executive recruitment firm, Baker Tilly US, will soon start a new round of targeted advertising and active recruiting to identify and encourage more qualified candidates to apply. The recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Earlier this year the City identified three finalists but was unable to reach agreement with any of those individuals to fill this vacancy.

 

(Washington-jm) –  Drought is driving down USDA's forecasts for South American soybean production. Stephanie Ho reports…