(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Republicans are calling for major changes at the State Department of Children and Family Services. GOP lawmakers say a recent audit, critical of the agency, illustrates why there should be new leadership, improved policies and more transparency at DCFS. Representative Chris Bos of Lake Zurich…

 

 

State Representative Chris Bos of Lake Zurich. Governor J-B Pritzker was asked about the problems at DCFS and whether the current director should be replaced. The Governor said the agency needs stability, blaming the previous administration and said that Marc Smith is a good leader.

 

(Springfield-jm) – There are only three states in the country with an average gas price per gallon under $4, and Illinois isn’t one of them. According to GasBuddy, the national average is now $4.46 per gallon, up over 15 cents from a week ago. The only three states with a gas price average under $4 are Georgia, Kansas and Oklahoma. The average price in Illinois is now up to $4.82.

 

(Springfield-jm) – New state laws will further protect workers in Illinois. The first measure strengthens the One Day Rest in Seven Act, which gives employees the right to at least one day off every workweek, says Department of Labor Acting Director Jane Flanagan…

 

 

State Department of Labor Acting Director Jane Flanagan. A second new law addresses children in the entertainment industry, requiring employers to provide more justification for expecting young performers to work overnight hours.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A Rantoul man has been sentenced to probation for a theft on the U of I campus. Dominic Brummond was sentenced to 30 months probation after pleading guilty in Champaign County court after admitting to stealing a watch and cell phone from a person back in November. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state received an audit recently. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the results…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Undated-jm) – Road construction season is upon us. Some of the projects happening include repaving Route 24 in Iroquois County. Another project in Iroquois County includes repaving 6 miles of I-57 around Buckley including the on and off ramps. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and stay off their cell phones in construction zones.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – The opening day for the Gibson City public swimming pool at North Park is set for June 1. The pool in Rantoul is set to open Memorial Day weekend. No opening date has been set for the Paxton pool, However, A Fundraising cookout and festival is taking place this sunday from 11-3pm at the Paxton Civic Center. Lunch will be served  along with yard games, a dunk tank, face painting, a foam party and more. The Save Our Pool cookout and festival presented by the “Save the Paxton Pool” Committee.

 

(Washington-jm) –  USDA has just made its first forecast for U.S. wheat production and prices for the next marketing year. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state is taking action to help families affected by the current shortage of baby formula. The Illinois Department of Human Services is working closely with Mead Johnson, the Chicago-based manufacturer of Enfamil to ensure low income parents have the formula they need. Retailers are asked to do their part as well says Spokesperson Marisa Kollias…

 

 

Illinois Department of Human Services Spokesperson Marisa Kollias. The Department of Human Services has trained caseworkers to assist families with formula questions through a helpline at: 1-800-843-6154. You can also go online for answers at: dhs dot illinois dot gov slash baby formula.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker may help college students save some money amidst the skyrocketing prices for tuition. The new law requires universities to give students access to online versions of their course materials on the first day of class. The online alternatives would be priced at a significantly lower cost than printed textbooks.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Schools will have to provide students with plant-based meal options under a new state law. The law says that vegan and vegetarian meals must be available to kids who submit a request ahead of time. It was supported by Senator Mattie Hunter of Chicago…

 

 

State Senator Mattie Hunter of Chicago. This new requirement won’t take effect until the school year beginning in August of 2023.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man has been sentenced to 2 and a half years for a DUI crash that injured a woman. Gerard Becnel received the sentence in Champaign County court after pleading guilty to aggravated DUI. Becnel admitted to driving under the influence on the afternoon of March 5, 2021 and colliding with a woman’s vehicle on Perkins Road in Urbana. 

 

(Pesotum-jm) – District 10 Illinois State Police will be conducting distracted driving enforcement patrols tomorrow. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department posted a graphic on social media explaining how the license plate readers work. Issuing a ticket for expired registration is not something these Automatic License Plate Readers are intended for. The image released on their social media pages shows that cars would tracked if they are involved in serious crimes such as shots fired investigations, stolen cars, and kidnappings.

 

(Mahomet-jm) – Mahomet residents will be voting on a referendum in June to invest $97.9 million into upgrades and new building in the Mahomet-Seymour School District. The plan is called the Bulldog Blueprint, with the main goal to build a new junior high school for the district. The plan would build the new school, while also expanding the size of the districts high school and both elementary schools. But it will also impact those tax payers. The average home in Mahomet is around $273,000, which would lead to an increase of $799 dollars in property taxes per year. The referendum will be on the ballot on June 28.

 

(Washington-jm) – The Agriculture Secretary shared his conversation with his Canadian counterpart this weekend regarding dairy tariff rate quota disputes within the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. Rod Bain reports…