(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office have announced that one person was killed in a crash on Lincoln Avenue Thursday morning. The crash happened on North Lincoln Avenue near the intersection with Squire Farm Road at 9:53 a.m. Officials said their investigation indicated that 27-year-old Jonathan Davis of Rantoul lost control of his GMC Yukon, which crossed into the southbound lane and was hit by an Illini FS tanker truck on the passenger side. Both vehicles crashed into the roadside ditch. Davis was extricated from the Yukon and was taken to the Emergency Department of Carle Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:50 a.m. Northrup said Davis died from the traumatic injuries he sustained in the crash. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. Davis’ children were also in the Yukon at the time of the crash and were taken to Carle with minor injuries. The driver and only occupant of the tanker, a 60-year-old man, was also taken to Carle with minor injuries.
(Springfield-jm) – State government employees now have a few more years to take advantage of a pension buyout program. Governor J-B Pritzker signed a new law extending the current buyout plan through June 2026. Senator Doris Turner of Springfield says this saves the state money and gives workers a lump sum option…
State Senator Doris Turner of Springfield. The pension buyout is available to state employees, university workers and teachers. Over 45 hundred people have already selected this option.
(Chicago-jm) – Chicago announced a bid to bring the Democratic National Convention that will choose the party's presidential nominee to the city in 2024. The announcement was accompanied by endorsements from top Illinois Democrats, including Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
(Springfield-jm) – 11 men and women were honored Thursday during the annual Police Memorial Ceremony in Springfield. Those killed in the line of duty last year include Chicago Police Department Officer Ella French, Officer Tyler Timmins with the Pontoon Beach Police Department and Champaign Police Officer Christopher Oberheim. Secretary of State Jesse White spoke at the ceremony…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. The names of fallen officers in Illinois are etched on the official memorial on the state capitol lawn.
(Urbana-jm) – The workers union representing service workers at the University of Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the university’s Board of Trustees, alleging members’ constitutional rights have been violated. Representatives of Service Employees International Union Local 73 said that three U of I employees were denied requests to speak during a Board meeting by Board Secretary Greg Knott. In an email to these employees, Knott said their requests were denied because they were speaking to issues under negotiation as part of the university’s collective bargaining process. The filing of this lawsuit is the latest development in the union’s attempts to reach an agreement with the university regarding a new labor contract. The current contract expires in August and so far, negotiations have made little progress. The union is currently voting whether or not to authorize a strike. Union leaders said the vote will wrap up this weekend, with the results being announced early next week; they believe a strike will be authorized.
(Urbana-jm) – Urbana Fire Chief Chuck Lauss announced his retirement nearly two months ago. On Thursday, he was celebrated and congratulated with a proper walk-out ceremony. Demond Dade will be taking over as chief.
(Paxton-tr) – The PBL school district has a few major projects coming up this summer, more specifically, in the High School building. PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure says many more electrical outlets are needed…
PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure.
(Rantoul-jm) – The Village of Rantoul is adjusting traffic flows this weekend around the Rantoul Family Sports Complex in anticipation of increased crowds and vehicle traffic. Beginning early Saturday and Sunday mornings, barricades will be placed to limit traffic along South Murray Road between Stone Bridge Drive and County Road 2900 N. General traffic will be redirected onto Stone Bridge and CR 2900 N while Murray will be limited to only those who are attending events at the sports complex. As the area clears Saturday and Sunday evenings, the barricades will be removed and Murray will reopen for general use overnight.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Community College Board is announcing a new grant that will bolster a program for African American students. The more than 745 thousand dollar grant from the Lumina Foundation enhances the current workforce equity initiative. Board Deputy Director Jennifer Foster says the program provides black and brown students with support services, training and certificates so they can pursue jobs in high demand areas…
Illinois Community College Board Deputy Director Jennifer Foster. The initiative has already enrolled more than five thousand students. You can learn more at illinois wei dot org.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois has now seen its fifth credit upgrade in less than a year, state officials announced. On Thursday, the state earned a two-notch bond rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings. Fitch noted "fundamental improvements in Illinois' fiscal resilience." It's the first upgrade for Illinois from Fitch in over 20 years. It followed Moody's Investors Service, which gave the state an upgrade in April.
(Springfield-jm) – 11 men and women were honored Thursday during the annual Police Memorial Ceremony in Springfield. Prayers were read, bagpipes played and state officials spoke. That includes Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, whose brother is a Chicago Police Detective…
State Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Among those honored are Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic with the Bradley Police Department, Illinois State Police Senior Master Trooper Todd Hanneken and Wayne County Deputy Sheriff Sean Riley.
(Woodford County-jm) – Illinois State Police are searching for a Hoopeston man they say escaped a hospital transport van. It happened around 11:21 p.m. Wednesday in Woodford County. ISP says 47-year-old Javier Aquirre escaped the van on Interstate 39 near milepost 39. A search for Aguirre using K9 units and air operations was unsuccessful.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is looking for information regarding two people who went missing on the same day. One of the missing individuals is a 19-year-old woman named Ricriana Allenia Tyler. Tyler has not been seen by or had any contact with friends or family since March 22, 2022. She is described as having black hair and brown eyes. Tyler is approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. Also missing is 16-year-old Adrian Parker Deck. He was last seen on March 22, 2022. Deck is described as having blue eyes and brown hair. He is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and 155 pounds. He was last seen wearing green pants and a black hoodie with "Juice WRLD" on it. Anyone with information regarding either of the missing teens is encouraged to contact the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545.
(Gibson City-tr) – The GCMS Highschool FFA program is currently preparing for their annual scholarship auction Saturday. GCMS FFA Vice President Payton Lenard gives a run down of how the day will unfold…
GCMS FFA Vice President Payton Lenard
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Buckley Loda School Board has a new member. Brittney Gehrt replaces Shawn Young who stepped down after 17 years on the board. Gehrt, a 2009 graduate, will fill the remainder of Young’s term which is up in April 2023.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Loda Legion on Saturday from 10-2.
The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley FFA Chapter will host their annual auction on Saturday. For more information contact Jeff Reale by email at reale dot jeff at gcmsk12 dot org.
The Neverly Brothers will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday at 7 pm. Cost is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free.
