(Rantoul-jm) – A semi caught fire near Rantoul Wednesday causing traffic backups. State police say northbound lanes had to be closed so firefighters could put out the flames. There is no word on what caused the fire.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new state law aims to protect people with latex allergies. Latex gloves will be prohibited in the food service industry as well as in medical facilities under the law. Latex allergies can range from skin irritation to severe anaphylaxis, says Representative Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg. The law applies to emergency workers as well…

 

 

State Representative Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg. The law takes effect for food service establishments and EMS personnel on January 1st. Healthcare facilities have until 2024 to implement the change.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Republican leaders are calling for more transparency in the prisoner review board. House GOP Leader Jim Durkin wants the board to be more victim-focused so he introduced House Bill 5126. The bill would require some of the board members to have a background in law enforcement and it would require a higher threshold vote for prisoners convicted of first-degree murder. House Bill 5126 would also require the governor to approve or deny the prison review board's decisions to release an inmate.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The Illinois primary is just a few weeks away. Early voting has been slow so far in Ford County which is normal for the primary. Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick says you can vote early at her office up until election day…

 

 

Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick.

 

(Thomasboro-jm) –  Village leaders in Thomasboro have eliminated the village Chief of Police position. The Board of Trustees announced via Facebook that it had voted to get rid of the position. The post did not make clear why the position was being removed, but said the Board had decided to go in a different direction.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA's global corn supply and demand balance sheet for June was affected by production news from Ukraine. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Ford County-jm) – One person was flown to the hospital with life threatening injuries following an accident near Paxton Wednesday. Illinois State Police say the accident happened at Route 115 and Route 9 just after noon. Police say a box truck collided with an SUV. The road was closed for several hours.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker and Candymaker Ferrero are announcing  a new production facility to be built in Central Illinois. The expansion of the Ferrero plant in Bloomington will make Kinder Bueno Bars, a wafer covered in milk chocolate with a creamy hazelnut filling. Ferrero North America President Todd Siwak says the facility will create 200 new jobs over the next four years…

 

 

Ferrero North America President Todd Siwak. Ferrero already has a strong presence in Illinois, with over 13 hundred full time staff in the state.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Farmers, ranchers and agricultural landowners with property prone to flooding and nutrient runoff will have the opportunity to enroll in Illinois’ reopened land conservation program, now available in 68 counties. The Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program will reopen for enrollments June 15 for the first time since 2015. The counties include: Champaign, Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties.

 

(Melvin-tr) –  Last night was Midget Wrestling at the Ford County Fair. Those that braved the heat was provided with spectacular entertainment. Short Sleeve Sampson is the Owner of the Midget Wrestling Warriors.The warriors will also be in Watseka tomorrow night at the Watseka Theater. Sampson says they provide a great show…

 

 

Owner of the Midget Wrestling Warriors Short Sleeve Sampson.

 

Ford County Fair Board President Steve Meenan gives a rundown of the events today...

 

 

Ford County Fair Board President Steve Meenan.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign police shared that gun violence has gone down significantly compared to where the city was a year ago. In the first five months of 2021, the city saw 112 shootings compared to just 61 shootings so far this year. 

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA's latest look at the global soybean balance sheet shows a mixture of changes for a variety of categories.  Rod Bain reports…

 

 

The 2022 Buckley Fun Day is set for Saturday, June 18th. Fishing derby 8-10 am, antique tractors 9-2, golf cart games 10:30-11, bounce house and kids games 12-3, live music 1-3, bossie bingo 2 and the duck race at 4:17.

 

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Lutheran Youth Group on Saturday, June 18th from 10-2.