(Gilman-jm) – Firefighters from Gilman, Onarga, Danforth and Piper City were called to a structure fire near Gilman late Wednesday evening. Crews were called to the fire at 1900 North 500 East after 9 pm. No word on the cause of the fire.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law creates a statewide drug take-back program. The goal is to keep unused medications out of the hands of kids, those who might abuse prescription drugs and water supplies. The measure was sponsored by Senator Laura Fine of Glenview…

 

 

State Senator Laura Fine of Glenview. Some counties and pharmacies already offer some sort of take back collection, but this will be the first statewide initiative. It will be the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies to get the program set up.

 

(Chicago-jm) – The public corruption trial surrounding ComEd and associates of longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan set for late summer has been postponed until possibly next year and it appears it is because of singer R. Kelly. Kelly’s child pornography trial had been set for August 1, while the ComEd bribery case involving four members of indicted former Speaker Madigan’s inner circle had been scheduled for trial September 12. It was announced the courthouse’s largest courtroom won’t be available for Kelly’s trial until August 15. That two-week delay was enough to knock the ComEd case off the calendar.

 

(Springfield-jm) – There will be no live poultry shows at the Illinois State Fair this year. The move is due to continued concerns about the highly contagious Avian Influenza, says the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Dr Staci Slager…

 

 

Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Dr. Staci Slager. Junior poultry exhibitors have until July 15th to enter the poster contest. More details will be available online at: illinois state fair dot info.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois’ Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost is leaving the university to take a leadership position in Saudi Arabia. Andreas Cangellaris joined the university faculty in 1997 and served as the dean of the Grainger College of Engineering before being appointed to his current post in 2018. During his time at Illinois, Cangellaris played a major leadership role in maximizing safety during the pandemic, laid the groundwork that secured a private donation for the Siebel Center for Design and helped develop the vision that led to the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. After 25 years at Illinois, Cangellaris will leave the university in August to become the first president of the newly-founded NEOM University in Saudi Arabia.

 

(Roberts-jm) – The Ford County community of Roberts will be celebrating 150 years on June 25th. Spokesperson Stan Daro says they are trying to replicate their centennial celebration 50 years ago…

 

 

Roberts 150th Celebration Spokesperson Stan Daro.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man has been arrested for stealing two vehicles in two days. Moises Concepcion-Roman is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. Police say he allegedly stole two vehicles in two days in the village.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Police is urging motorists to tamper down the road rage, especially on Chicago area expressways. According to the State Police, there’s been an increase in road rage incidents on Chicagoland Expressways that have escalated to gun violence. Trooper Roger Goines (go-ins)  says you should try to avoid drivers who are tailgating, speeding and cutting off other vehicles…

 

 

Illinois State Trooper Roger Goines. If you think you’re being followed by an aggressive driver, the state police recommends driving to the nearest police station if possible or pulling over in a well-lit area and calling 9-1-1.

 

(Chicago-jm) – The Vice President of the United States is scheduled to visit Illinois this week. Kamala Harris will stop in Chicago Friday to speak at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials 39th Annual Conference. Harris will then travel to a hospital in Plainfield to address the maternal health crisis.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The invasive Asian Carp is getting a brand makeover. The goal of the new campaign is to make the extremely plentiful fish more enticing to eat so that numbers are reduced in Illinois waterways. The new name for the carp was announced by Chicago Chef Brian Jupiter…

 

 

Chicago Chef Brian Jupiter. Several chefs, retailers and distributors have already committed to offering Copi. Recipe ideas are available online at: choose copi dot com.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The Illinois Energy Conservation Authority NFP, an Illinois tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, announced the closing of a $147,000 Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy refinancing deal for a 35-unit multifamily property located in downtown Urbana, Illinois. The C-PACE program is an economic development tool that helps commercial property owners reduce operating expenses and improve the efficiency and sustainability of their buildings and operations. This is the first C-PACE closing in Champaign County.  The funding will finance energy efficient improvements including the installation of a rooftop solar PV system and shade pergola. These improvements are expected to provide the owner with a lifetime savings of $153,000 over the span of 25 years.

 

(Danville-tr) – The Merrell Ride for PTSD came to life with the help of Operation Desert Storm Veteran Matt Hall along with the Working Out PTSD Foundation. Merrell Ride for PTSD Organizer Matt Hall says that this year, the ride will be much more local… 

 

 

Merrell Ride for PTSD Organizer Matt Hall

 

(Rantoul-jm) – The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will have a new director. Andy Kulczycki retired after 33 years. Cindy Crawford will take over.