(Springfield-jm) – With gas prices maintaining record highs across Illinois, Republican state Sen. Dave Syverson says state lawmakers should head back to the capitol immediately for a special session to address the situation. In a statement, Syverson said they should pass legislation "to provide real, meaningful relief to consumers." He's pushing for capping the sales tax on motor fuel at 18 cents a gallon and a repeal of the looming freeze of the annual gas tax increase of two-cents a gallon that's been delayed from July 1 to January 1.
(Rantoul-jm) – A gas leak forced a major road in Rantoul to close last night and forced neighbors out of their homes. The leak happened on Mary Alice Road near U-S 136. Emergency crews shut down 136 and several surrounding roads until Nicor could fix the issue.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs is celebrating one million claims paid out through his office’s I-Cash Program. Treasurer Frerichs says hitting the million mark during his tenure and ensuring unclaimed property gets back into the hands of rightful owners has been gratifying…
State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. Frerichs says it’s easier than ever to search and claim property due you or your family members. Just visit: illinois treasurer dot gov. About one in four people searching the database have success.
(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois bill signed into law is designed to help mothers who suffered sexual abuse during childbirth at the hands of their doctor.
Illinois State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe introduced SB 3163 on January 12, 2022. The bill amends the state’s Vital Records Act by allowing parents or an adult-age child to remove a physician’s name from a copy of said child’s birth certificate. In Illinois, the short-form birth certificate does not include the physician’s name. However, the doctor’s name is present on the long-form certificate. The new law takes effect January 1.
(Springfield-jm) – Farmers finally got a chance to really get some work done in the fields this past week. After quite a few rainy days in a row, more than five days were suitable for fieldwork. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says producers spent that time tilling fields, applying fertilizer and planting crops…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 38 percent of soybeans have now been planted and nine percent have emerged. 57 percent of winter wheat has headed and average statewide topsoil moisture is rated at two percent short, 81 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that four projects have been recognized as “Projects of the Year” by the Illinois chapter of the American Public Works Association. They include the Kickapoo Rail Trail in Vermilion County, a railroad bridge in Washington Park, slope improvements in Alto Pass, and pedestrian and transit access to Lincoln’s Tomb and the Dana Thomas House in Springfield.
(St. Joe-tr) – Summer maintenance is being planned in the town of St. Joe. St. Joseph Mayor Tami FruhlingVogue says some big plans are in the works for a new expansion to their sewer system…
St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling Vogues
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating after a swastika was found etched on a door on the U of I campus. It was discovered Saturday afternoon on a men's bathroom stall door at the English Building. An estimated cost to repair the damage was unavailable.
(Washington-jm) – The Agriculture Secretary Monday discussed a communique issued by the G7 ministers about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impacts on food security. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Governor Pritzker signed into law on Monday a bill that was directly inspired by the disappearance and death of Jelani Day. The bill requires Illinois coroners to notify and consult the FBI if they are unable to identify a body within 72 hours of the body being found. Day’s body was found in the Illinois River on September 4, but his remains weren’t officially identified until 19 days later.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing more than 11 million dollars in funding to family planning clinics around the state. A federal grant and matching state money will help boost the efforts of clinics providing critical reproductive care, says the Governor…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says these services are more important than ever as attacks on reproductive rights increase.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker signed a measure into law that amends the Illinois Act on Aging and designates protections and services for older LGBTQ adults. Senate Bill 3490 was signed by the governor on National Honor Your LGBTQ Elders Day, which recognizes older individuals who fought for equality and led the equality movement that continues to be active. Changes made to the act set up the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ Aging, which will investigate and advise on helping services and needs of older LGBTQ adults improve.
(Springfield-jm) – Farmers finally got a chance to really get some work done in the fields this past week. The sun emerged and more than five days were suitable for fieldwork, advancing corn planting by 40 points to 55 percent complete. 13 percent of corn has emerged. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at soybeans…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 57 percent of winter wheat has headed and 52 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. That’s an improvement over the previous week. The first cutting of alfalfa hay has begun, with one percent now complete.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Fire were called to a house fire Monday afternoon. It happened near Swigart Street and West Columbia Avenue. Fire officials said the call came in around 2:15 p.m.. The caller said they saw smoke coming from a 2nd floor bedroom. Officials said when they got on-scene, they did find flames coming from that bedroom. It was contained to that room. One person was home at the time. They got out of the house. Firefighters did rescue a dog. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
(Rantoul-tr) – The Village of Rantoul has received a big response from its community members about a Cannabis Dispensary License Referendum. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says it's been decided to wait until July to make any major decisions…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs your help solving a case. Officials said officers were called in reference to a fight that happened around 2:15 a.m. April 30 at Green Street Café in Champaign. Two women were having an argument when it turned into a physical fight. A woman was stabbed. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated and then released. Additionally, a man did try to break up the fight and was hurt as well. Officers said his injuries were minor. Officers are trying to find a woman they believe is a suspect in this case. She possibly left the area in a blue Ford F-150 pickup truck, according to officials.
(Washington-jm) – U.S. corn growers can probably expect prices to keep edging up from now through the fall harvest. Gary Crawford reports…
