(Paxton-jm) – A Ford County man was sentenced to 25 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. The charge stems from an incident on September 11, 2020, where Richard Cruse was showing a 12-year-old pornographic images. Last month, he was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison on child pornography charges for the crime. While investigating the incident authorities learned that Cruse committed an act of predatory sexual assault to a minor and he was charged. Cruse will serve his most recent sentence of 25 years concurrently with his federal sentence of 27 years.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is signing a new state law giving workers time off after a miscarriage or other loss. The Family Bereavement Leave Act provides up to 10 days of unpaid leave for employees who have had a child, step-child, parent, sibling or grandparent pass away. It was sponsored in the House by Representative Anna Moeller of Elgin…
State Representative Anna Moeller of Elgin. The leave also applies to failed adoptions and unsuccessful fertility treatments. Moeller says it’s important to give employees time to grieve and heal.
(Springfield-jm) – Republicans are calling for a special session to deal with rising gas prices. Representative Adam Niemerg introduced House Bill 5732. If passed, it would eliminate the motor fuel tax for four months. He says it would reduce the price of gas by 44-cents per gallon. Governor JB Pritzker is blaming the high prices of gas on the war in Ukraine. Governor Pritzker says his budget will help Illinoisans pay for gas. He says not only does it freeze the motor fuel tax at its current rate of 39 cents for the next six months. It also sends direct rebate checks to families.
(Roberts-jm) – Roberts will be celebrating 150 years later this month. A Flea Market is being planned for the celebration. Roberts 150th Celebration Spokesperson Stan Daro says vendors are still being accepted at this time…
Roberts 150th Celebration Spokesperson Stan Daro
(Danville-jm) – A marijuana company is one step closer to opening a dispensary in Danville. Seven Point is still waiting on a license from the state, but it was recently awarded two cannabis Craft Growers licenses. The licenses allow the company to grow, sell and move marijuana. It would be the second adult-use dispensary in Danville.
(Melvin-tr) – The Ford County Fair will kick off this weekend starting Sunday June 12th. Ford County Fair Board President Steve Meenan says they are still looking for multiple volunteers to help out during fair week…
Ford County Fair Board President Steve Meenan. If you’d like to volunteer your time and help the Ford County Fair this year. Please call Tammy Kendrick at 217-249-2282 or call the Fair during fair week at 217-388- 2815.
(Champaign County-jm) – Champaign County law enforcement recognized heroic employees and citizens in an annual awards ceremony. An award for valor was presented to Deputies Josh Demko, Richard Ferriman, Casey Donovan, and Robert DeRouchie. Life saving awards were given to Chad Beasley, Tracy Wagner, and Jason Moore, while commendation awards went to Mark McCallister and Ted Nemecz. The sheriff's office gave out certificates of merit to Sergeant Dave Sherrick, Sergeant Chris Darr and Deputy Josh Demko.
(Cissna Park–jc) The park in Cissna Park will be busy on Saturday. It is the first of the summertime’s, Shop the Park from 9am to 1pm. Event Spokesperson Bud Petry says vendors will fill the park area…
Shop the Park in Cissna Park Spokesperson Bud Petry
(Watseka-jm) – Although summer break has just begun, the Iroquois County Public Health Department is encouraging parents to begin scheduling their children’s back-to-school vaccines early. The health department said scheduling vaccinations now helps parents avoid the rush that will occur closer to the first day of school. That rush can make it difficult for parents to schedule appointments. People who are unsure of whether their child needs vaccinations for school can contact their doctor or the health department to review their child’s vaccine records. They are located in the Iroquois County Administrative Building, located at 1001 East grant Street in Watseka. For more information or to schedule an appointment, people can call 815-432-2483.
(Gibson City–jc) The Ford County Republican Central Committee held a meet the candidates night, last night in Gibson City. 5 candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for governor. Candidate Darren Bailey talks about what his first day in office, if elected, would look like…
Republican Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey. The event was well attended at the Kruse Center in Gibson City on Thursday night
(Savoy-jm) – Dozens of nursing homes in Illinois were fined thousands of dollars for violations. One of those homes is Champaign Urbana Nursing and Rehab. The 213-bed skilled care facility in Savoy was fined $25,000 for failing to prevent the verbal and physical abuse of a resident. The Illinois Department of Public Health released its quarterly report listing all the Illinois facilities which violated the Nursing Home Care Act.
(Springfield-jm) – Comptroller Susana Mendoza says the state’s rainy day fund is getting another boost. The stash is vital in times of emergency and just received a deposit of 320 million dollars. That brings the long-neglected funds up to more than 751 million, which is a big improvement says Comptroller Mendoza…
State Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Mendoza says ultimately, she would like to see the rainy day fund be seven and a half percent of the state’s current budget. That would be about three and a quarter billion dollars.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is the 16th most expensive state for household bills, according to the 2022 State by State Bill Pay Market report released by doxo.
This report investigates the $4.6 trillion U.S. consumer bill pay market and breaks it down into the 10 most common household bill payment categories, including mortgage, rent, loans, utilities, insurance and more. Illinois residents spend $2,029 each month across the top 10 household bills, 1.3% above the national average of $2,003. The report reveals 36% of household income is required to cover the bills.
(Melvin-tr) – The Ford County Fair will start on Sunday. Ford County Fair Board President Steve Meenan gives a rundown of the events on Sunday…
Ford County Fair Board President Steve Meenan.
(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation will be conducting a series of upgrades on traffic lights along Springfield Avenue next week. Work will begin at the intersection of Springfield and Staley Road starting Monday at 7 a.m. and at the intersection of Springfield and Duncan Road at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. These intersections will be switched to all-way stops while crews work on the lights. The work is expected to significantly impact traffic along and near Springfield and IDOT said drivers can expect significant backups at certain times of the day. This work is dependent on the weather and may be postponed in the event of inclement weather.
(Paxton-jm) – Early voting for the spring primary is underway. Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick talks about how early voting is going so far…
Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick.
(Undated-jm) – Illinois American Water is investing over $6 million to replace over 20,000 feet of water main throughout the Champaign County water service area. Work started in May and will continue across Champaign-Urbana, Fisher, and Sadorus. The company said it works to replace water mains annually to keep up with aging infrastructure.
(Urbana-jm) – 11 girls will be vying for the title of Miss Champaign County. The fair queen pageant will move back to the fairgrounds for the first time in several years. The pageant will take place on July 17th.
Gifford Community Garage Sales will take place Saturday from 8 to 2.
The Paxton Police Department shooting range will be open to the public on Saturday from 10-noon. Cost is $10.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Knights of Columbus on Saturday from 10-2.
Cissna Park Shop the Park takes place from 9-1 on Saturday.
The 69th annual Buckley and Buckley Loda High School Alumni Banquet will take place on Saturday at the 103 in Buckley starting at 5 pm.
Logan Kirby will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday at 7 pm. Cost is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free.
