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Illinois lawmakers are working on a bill to ensure families can visit loved ones in a nursing home during a pandemic

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is signing a new law to protect teachers who get COVID-19. The law applies to school staff who are fully vaccinated, giving them paid leave if they are infected. The Governor says teachers have had to balance the demands of remote and in-person learning, as well as the health and safety of their own families during the pandemic…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. This applies to public school districts, colleges and universities. Vaccinated teachers who previously have had to use sick days because of the virus will get those days back.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House is advancing a number of public safety bills. The measures hit on various issues including new ways to recruit and retain police officers. There’s also legislation creating a co-responder pilot program in Peoria, Springfield, Waukegan and East St. Louis says Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth…

 

 

State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth. While these measures passed, Republican lawmakers chided the Democrats, saying their bills are just an attempt to look tough on crime after passing criminal justice reforms last year.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are working on a bill to ensure families can visit loved ones in a nursing home during a pandemic. The legislation lets long-term care patients and residents have at least one person at a time, as well as a clergy member visit them at the facility. It’s supported by Representative Charles Meier of Okawville…

 

 

State Representative Charles Meier of Okawville. The bill has passed the House and now awaits final consideration in the Senate.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Federation of Teachers voted on their new contract Tuesday night. According to officials, 76-percent of Unit 4 teachers voted in favor of the contract. The teachers were set to go on strike until an agreement was reached early last Wednesday morning. The board will vote next Monday to  officially ratify the contract.

 

(Danville-jm) – The city of Danville has been waiting for this moment for some time. They announced they’ll be breaking ground to build a new casino on April 19. When it’s finished, the casino is expected to open up 300 full-time employment opportunities. They’re projecting an opening date for March of 2023.

 

(Buckley-tr) – Enrollment is currently open at Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley. Christ Lutheran High School Director Sandy Spitz encourages anyone seeking enrollment to reach out…

 

 

Christ Lutheran High School Director Sandy Spitz.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City police have released their recent activity report. Keirsten Trhlik was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting a peace officer on March 21st.

 

(Paxton–jc)  – The WPXN business of the day today is Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling of Paxton. The company has been in operation for over 42 years says owner Gene May…

 

 

Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling Owner Gene May. You can hear more about Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling on all our newscasts today. We will also have a conversation with Gene May over the noon hour today during the mid day news.

 

(Washington-jm) – We'll have to wait one more month for USDA's forecasts on this coming crop year's production, exports and prices. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Senate Democrats are announcing a plan to address the increase in carjackings in Illinois. One bill makes sure victims aren’t saddled with fines racked up by their carjackers, says Senator Omar Aquino of Chicago…

 

 

State Senator Omar Aquino. Another measure lets law enforcement groups receive state grants and additional resources to help catch carjackers.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Jesse White is launching a new organ and tissue donation campaign. This year’s campaign features 50-year-old Phillip Hanks of Joliet, who received five life-saving organs…

 

 

Phillip Hanks. More than seven point three million people have signed up for the registry, but Secretary White says about 300 people die each year waiting for a transplant. He urges those considering donation to speak with family about their choice.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Democratic state lawmakers are offering several ideas that they say take a smart approach to supporting law enforcement in Illinois. The large package of bills address everything from recruiting and retaining retaining police officers, to substance abuse and mental health services. Representative Natalie Manley of Joliet has a plan to give grants to daycares offering overnight care…

 

 

State Representative Natalie Manley of Joliet. The plan is supported by the Illinois Sheriff’s Association and Illinois Trooper’s Lodge 41.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – Tuesday morning, a traffic stop in Champaign County led to two arrests and the seizure of an illegally possessed firearm. Officials said that at around 10:45 a.m. a deputy left his stationary position to conduct a traffic stop. But, when he started in the direction of the car, the vehicle accelerated away in a perceived attempt by the driver avoid the traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, 25-year-old Dion J. Thomas pulled into a gas station parking lot, and exited to the vehicle before running through the gas station to avoid police contact. Thomas returned a short while later when he realized that he had left his one-year-old child in the back seat. Upon arrival, Thomas provided a fake name as deputies checked the welfare of the child. They then noticed that the car smelled of burnt marijuana and the child was not secured in the back seat. The investigation also resulted in the recovery of a semi-automatic handgun, several hundred dollars in cash and two additional loaded handgun magazines. Thomas was arrested for being a convicted felon of a handgun and for endangering the life/health of a child. As authorities were investigating, the child’s mother, Gurldine Williams, arrived on the scene. An investigation quickly revealed that she was driving on a suspended license and had multiple warrants out for her arrest. When deputies attempted to take her into custody for her warrants, she actively resisted. She was then taken into custody for aggravated battery to a police officer, driving with a suspended license and for having multiple warrants.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball team made a visit to the state capitol Tuesday. Coach Brad Underwood, Athletic Director Josh Whitman and some of the players along with the Big Ten trophy visited the House and Senate chambers where they were recognized. The team even got to meet with Governor J-B Pritzker.


 

(Rantoul-tr) – The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County is preparing for their Spring Fling April 26th from 6pm-8pm after 2 years of not holding it due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Executive Director Andy Kulczycki says they will also be holding a meat raffle that same night…

 

 

Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Executive Director Andy Kulczycki

 

(Urbana-jm) –  Voters in parts of rural Champaign County will have permanent drop boxes for mail-in ballots for the first time in 2022. The 275-pound boxes made of reinforced steel will be in place ahead of the June primaries, according to Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons who has been pushing for this for years. In total, the county plans to establish 13 boxes. Seven of those were in the ground ahead of the last election and five more are expected to go up in rural towns as soon as the weather warms up, but the sixth box, which the Champaign County Clerk expected to put in the Village of Tolono, was stalled unexpectedly by the village board.

 

(Paxton–jc)  – Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling of Paxton is the WPXN business of the day today. Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling owner Gene May says the garbage hauling business continues to see more rules and regulation on items that can be hauled…

 

 

Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling owner Gene May of Paxton

We will hear more during the noon news with Gene May of Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling of Paxon, the WPXN business of the day. 

 

 

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