(Springfield-jm) – DCFS Director Marc Smith was held in contempt of court and fined $1,000 per day for the 11th time since January 6, 2022. This is the 11th time in less than six months that Director Smith has been held in contempt of court for failing to place a child appropriately in violation of court orders.  The eleventh contempt order involves an 11-year-old girl who has been in DCFS’ care since she was 5 years old. In the six years the girl has been in DCFS’ care, she has bounced back and forth between abusive foster homes, emergency foster homes, psychiatric hospitals, residential placements, shelters, and hospital emergency rooms.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Agriculture is extending emergency rules to further protect poultry from Avian influenza. State Veterinarian Dr Mark Ernst says the rules prohibiting the sale or exhibition of poultry will continue and be re-evaluated in 45 days…

 

 

State Veterinarian Dr. Mark Ernst. Additionally, Illinois 4-H is moving all county fair poultry shows to a virtual format while the emergency rules are in place. A decision about shows at the state fair is expected by mid-June.

 

(Champaign-jm) – On Friday, members of the Champaign Police Department gathered with law enforcement, elected officials and community members to pay respect to fallen heroes. The annual Police Officer Memorial took place in West Side Park. Everyone in attendance paid their respects to the three Champaign police officers killed in the line-of-duty; Officer Thomas Dodsworth, Officer Robert Tatman and Officer Chris Oberheim.

 

(Undated-jm) – Area politicians are remembering former U-S Congressman Tim Johnson. Johnson died earlier this month. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman shares his thoughts on Johnson…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

(Champaign-jm) –  Health departments around central Illinois are teaming up to cut down on overdoses. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District got a grant for Narcan to spread throughout nearby counties and save lives. Champaign-Urbana shared a portion of the grant with Ford County to increase the impact across the region.

 

(Washington-jm) – When will we see a turnaround in the current global low supply and high price wheat situation? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – COVID-19 is ramping up again in several areas of the state. There were over 40 thousand new cases of COVID this past week and 56 additional deaths in Illinois. Several counties have moved to either Medium or High community levels of the virus, making it important to stay up to date on your shots and wear a mask indoors if needed, says State Public Health Interim Director Dr. Amaal Tokars. She urges those that do get sick to call their doctor right away for the appropriate therapeutic treatment…

 

 

State Public Health Interim Director Dr Amaal Tokars.  Illinois counties seeing the heaviest COVID activity include Boone, Lee, Stephenson, Winnebago, Peoria, Tazewell, Champaign and Ford. Hospitalizations have been increasing, with more than one thousand COVID patients admitted.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced they are in support of the CDC’s recommendation regarding the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 booster dose for children aged 5 to 11 years old. IDPH issued an advisory to vaccine providers endorsing the booster for children 5 through 11 years of age at least five months after completion of a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, following the emergency use authorization this week by the FDA and the recommendation of the CDC.

 

(Springfield-jm) – This is Older Americans Month and the theme this year is “Age my Way.” The goal is to promote services that are available to help seniors stay in their homes. Illinois Department on Aging Director Paula Basta says the best place to start is the state’s senior helpline…

 

 

Illinois Department on Aging Director Paula Basta. The senior helpline number and several other resources including in-home services, emergency home response, automated medication dispensers and support for caregivers is available online at: illinois dot gov slash aging.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), in partnership with Carle Health, OSF HealthCare, Christie Clinic, Promise Healthcare and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, continues to provide COVID-19 initial vaccination doses, boosters and Pfizer pediatric vaccinations and boosters. This includes Pfizer boosters for kids 5-11 after the CDC and IDPH made the recommendation.

 

(Pontiac-jm) – There’s more calls for answers on the future of the Pontiac Correctional Facility. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Undated-jm) – Ameren Illinois is partnering with communities in six central Illinois counties to upgrade neighborhood streetlights with more energy-efficient LED streetlights. Local communities receiving the upgrades include: Fisher, Foosland, Gifford, Ludlow, Penfield, East Lynn, Hoopeston, Rankin, Buckley, Cissna Park, Loda, Elliott, Gibson City, Melvin, Paxton, Roberts and Sibley. 

 

(Washington-jm) – Demand for meat is growing, but meat production is falling. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

The City of Paxton Brush Pick up will take place this week.