(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker announced the launch of $113 million in funding for community organizations working on violence prevention. The funding builds on $73 million already distributed by the Illinois  Department of Human Services to organizations in FY22 and an additional $71.8 million in the pipeline, with grant agreements expected to be finalized before the summer. The administration is also launching a statewide series of community roundtables. Community conversations will take place in Rockford, Champaign, Peoria, and East St. Louis with local community advisors, faith-based leaders, and elected officials. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – April is wrapping up as colder than normal in Illinois. Final numbers aren’t in yet but it's certainly been a chilly April says State Climatologist Trent Ford…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. As for rainfall, Ford says northern and southern Illinois has received about an inch above normal so far this month, while central Illinois precipitation has been average.

 

(Urbana-jm) –  This week, Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding an attempted robbery that happened on April 20. At around 11:35 p.m., police officers were dispatched to the B-Spirits Gas Station on West Main Street in response to a report of an attempted robbery. When officers arrived at the scene, they learned that a man had gone behind the counter and demanded the clerk open the cash register. The offender left the store when the clerk refused to do so. Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the subject captured on video. The suspect appeared to be a man wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt, black pants, red bandana and camo backpack.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Crews in Champaign have begun installation of Automated License Plate Reader cameras for use by the Champaign Police Department.

The City Council approved the use of the cameras in December. 46 units will be installed throughout the community starting Monday to begin a two-year trial period. Champaign Police said the cameras will primarily focus on areas of the city that have experienced increased gun violence in recent years.

 

(Gibson City-tr) – The GCMS Highschool FFA program is currently preparing for their annual scholarship auction May 7th. GCMS FFA President Xander Weir (We’re) says the proceeds help the chapter throughout the year… 

 

 

GCMS FFA President Xander Weir.

 

(Paxton-jm) – A Paxton Buckley Loda school bus was involved in an accident Monday morning around 6:30. The district says no students were on the bus at the time however the driver was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

 

(Urbana-jm) – After several years of discussion, the Champaign County downtown jail in Urbana is set to close. The county has moved 100 inmates so far to the Kankakee County Jail. About 40 more need to be moved before it will be officially closed. The county is paying Kankakee County $60 per day per inmate. The county is working on a plan to expand the satellite jail in order to accommodate more inmates.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Farmers got a little more time in the fields this past week. According to the latest crop report, about three days were suitable for fieldwork, although planting remains well behind schedule, says Statistician Mark Schleusener…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 12 percent of winter wheat has headed and 48 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. That’s an improvement over the previous week. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated as two percent short, 58 percent adequate and 40 percent surplus.

 

(Springfield-jm) – With DCFS and Director Marc Smith under fire, Republicans have been calling for his resignation. Governor JB Pritzker responded to those criticisms pointing the finger right back at the GOP blaming the Rauner Administration for the 2 year budget impasse. Smith has been cited for contempt nine times in recent months for failing to find appropriate care for children in DCFS care. House Republican leader Jim Durkin blamed Pritzker for failing to deal with the problem, saying Smith should resign. Pritzker shot back pointing to Republicans have voted against recent budgets that have added funds to DCFS

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is backing the FDA’s proposal to ban menthol flavored cigarettes and cigars. Menthol is the last flavor that’s currently allowed in cigarettes and the FDA says banning it will help prevent people from picking up the habit and ultimately save lives. State Public Health Tobacco Control Program Director Gail Devito agrees…

 

 

State Public Health Tobacco Control Program Director Gail Devito. Devito says there is also an equity component, since teens, African Americans and members of the LGBTQ community are more likely to opt for the menthol variety.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Urbana has a new fire chief and it's someone familiar with the community. Mayor Diane Marlin named Demond Dade chief after Chuck Lauss retired. Dade oversaw the department's EMS division prior to taking over the top spot.

 

(Paxton-tr) – The PBL school district board has continued to discuss keeping student fees the same as last year. PBL school Superintendent Cliff McClure says the board will vote on the issue this month… 

 

 

PBL school Superintendent Cliff McClure. 

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A vacant industrial building in Rantoul has been sold at auction. The Rantoul products building has sat vacant since 2014. The name of the person who bought it and the price will be released at a later date, however, the auction company says the person that bought it intends to bring it back to working order.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois will begin providing financial incentives for academic achievement for student athletes. Starting the 2022-2023 school year, student athletes could receive up to $5,980 for their grades. The move comes after a judge ruled the NCAA could not ban student athletes from being paid.

 

(Springfield-jm) – With three days suitable for fieldwork, seven percent of corn and five percent of soybeans have now been planted. That’s significantly less than is usually in the ground at this time of year. Crop Statistician Mark Shcleusener looks at winter wheat…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Pasture conditions improved to 69 percent in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture is now rated as two percent short, 58 percent adequate and 40 percent surplus.