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A new state law aims to curb catalytic converter thefts in Illinois

(Champaign-jm) – After a large fire broke out at a house on Stonebridge Court last week, first responders have been looking for 50-year-old Jose Javier Andrade. They just found human remains yesterday. Once on the scene that morning, firefighters were informed that one occupant remained unaccounted for and was possibly in the home. Despite attempts by firefighters, only limited searches could be performed as the structure was heavily damaged by fire and unstable in many areas. On May 26, the Champaign Fire Department supervised the controlled demolition of the structure by a contractor. As the structure was brought down and made safer to search, crews continued to search through the debris for the missing occupant. The search performed that day did not reveal the location of the missing individual. Yesterday demolition contractors returned to the scene and continued to remove debris from the basement of the structure. During that excavation work, human remains were located in the structure.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Officials from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said on Tuesday that people can resume using backyard bird feeders and baths starting today as concerns about bird flu subside. The IDNR recommended on April 21 that people remove feeders and bird baths from their backyards as cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza started to be detected throughout the state. Since the first confirmed case of HPAI in March, Illinois experts have found cases in wild eagles, snow and Canada geese, mallard and redhead ducks, American white pelicans and red-tailed hawks among other species in eight counties, including Champaign and Sangamon.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new state law aims to curb catalytic converter thefts in Illinois. The measure was sponsored by Representative LaShawn Ford of Chicago, who explained how it works…

 

 

State Representative LaShawn Ford of Chicago. The law also prohibits metal dealers from paying cash for a catalytic converter worth more than 100 dollars. A report by State Farm last summer ranked Illinois in the top 5 states for stolen catalytic converter claims filed.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City officials said all residents on Hager Drive and Hager Court are placed under a boil order until further notice. This is due to mandatory scheduled maintenance. According to officials, the city is working to return water service back to normal usage as quickly as possible.

 

(Springfield-jm) – We are just weeks away from the Illinois primary, where voters will head to the polls to select who moves on to the November election. Several Republican candidates for Governor are vying for the chance to take on Governor J-B Pritzker November 8th. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says voters have a lot to think about…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

(Watseka-jm) – Iroquois County tax bills are due soon. The first installment is due by June 9th while the second installment is due by September 9th. Taxes can be paid at the Iroquois County Treasurer’s office. Some banks in the county can also accept payments.

 

(Undated-jm) – Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades have released their grades for hospitals in Illinois. Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana received an A as did OSF St. James-John Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac and Riverside Hospital in Kankakee. OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville received a B. OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana received a C.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Corn and soybean planting is moving along as we hear in the weekly crop report. Nearly four days were suitable for fieldwork on average, letting farmers continue to make progress, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 89 percent of corn acres have now been planted with 76 percent emerged. 91 percent of winter wheat has headed and the first cutting of alfalfa is about a quarter of the way done. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated at four percent short, 72 percent adequate and 24 percent surplus.

 

(Springfield-jm) – School boards across the state of Illinois will have the option to include safe firearm storage in their safety education curriculum under a newly signed law. The law was sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa. Under House Bill 5193, safe gun storage will be added to existing safety education instruction taught in schools in Illinois. Automobile safety, CPR training, safety in the home, and safety while carrying out vocational training or work are all examples of what is already included in statewide safety education curriculum. House Bill 5193 would bring that information to classrooms discussing gun safety in the home to raise awareness of firearm safety and to educate young adults about responsible firearm ownership. Schools are not mandated to teach safety education, but if they elect to offer it they are required to teach all existing components. The law goes into effect in January.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is signing a new law to improve nursing home care for elderly Illinoisans. The Governor says this historic law will provide increased Medicaid funding to nursing homes that meet certain staffing and quality standards…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The law also includes a new pay scale for certified nursing assistants, based on years of experience.

 

(Watseka-jm) – A veterans motorcycle ride made a stop in Watseka on Tuesday as part of its planned trip across the country. The Run for the Wall is an annual motorcycle ride that starts in California and drives all the way to Washington D.C. The ride’s mission is to promote healing among all veterans, their friends and family, call for an accounting of all POW/MIA from all wars and honor the memory of those who were killed in action. This year marked the inaugural year of the ride’s Sandbox Route, which takes riders back west after arriving in Washington. As part of their stop, they presented Watseka Community High School Salutatorian Mitchell Galyan with a $1000 scholarship for a patriotic essay he wrote. They also presented Watseka Mayor John Allhands with a plaque for his support of the ride and enjoyed lunch at Legion Park served by members of the local American Legion post. The riders traveling the Sandbox Route will conclude their ride in Marseilles at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial.

 

(Rantoul-tr) – A commercial property right off the I-57 at Rantoul has been seeing some interest according to realtors of the property. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says if the requirements are met, the village supports the project…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

(Paxton-jm) – PBL High School will have an interim principal in the fall. The school board hired Tom Shallenberger to take over for Travis Duley who will become associate superintendent before taking over as superintendent in 2023.


 

(Champaign-jm) – This week Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a shooting. On May 11, at around 8:40 p.m., Champaign Police responded to a shooting at the Mach 1 Food Stop on Bloomington Road. Officers arrived and found evidence of a shooting, including surveillance footage from the business, which captured four people exchanging gunfire. Police seek the public’s assistance in identifying the persons captured on the video. After the shooting, all involved parties fled in two different vehicles described below: Suspect vehicle #1 – Silver Pontiac Sedan and Suspect vehicle #2 – White Dodge Sedan.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Corn and soybean planting is moving along as we hear in the weekly crop report. 75 percent of soybean acres have now been planted, ahead of the five year average. 52 percent have emerged. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 89 percent of corn has been planted…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 91 percent of wheat acres are heading and 26 percent of the first cutting of alfalfa is complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture is now rated as four percent short, 72 percent adequate and 24 percent surplus.

 

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