(Undated–jc)The 2022 Illinois Primary Election is now history and the two major parties can now look to the November 8 fall election. In Illinois, Incumbent JB Pritzker won his challenge easily and will face Darin Bailey for the governor's spot in November. Bailey won out over a field of 6 republican candidates in Tuesday's Primary. Kathy Salvi is the Republican nod for US Senator. Salvi will face Democrat Tammy Duckworth, who ran unopposed. Bloomington’s Dan Brady is the Republican nominee for Illinois Secretary of State. He will face Alexi Giannoulious in November.  Thomas Devore is the Republican Candidate for Illinois Attorney General. He will face Democrat Incumbent Kwame Raoul in the fall. In the US 13th Congressional District Mary Miller defeated Rodney Davis for the Republican nomination.  In the Republican race for the 2nd Congressional District, the race continues to be close for three candidates. Cissna Park Republiacn Thomas Lynch has a 200 vote lead over former State Senator and Onarga Village President Shane Cultra.

 

In other election news, TheMahomet Seymour School Districts 97 million 900 thousand dollar proposal failed. Unofficial vote totals are 2650 No and 1251 yes votes.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging the public to leave fireworks to the professionals. Fireworks and even novelty items like sparklers can be dangerous, causing fires or a trip to the ER, says Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Last summer in Illinois, 202 people were injured by fireworks and one person died…

 

 

State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Fultz reminds that sparklers burn at temperatures of more than 12 hundred degrees, which is hot enough to melt many metals. Just one touch to the skin may cause permanent damage or scarring.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man has been charged in connection to a shooting that left a woman hurt last August. Markel Sanders, 22, was arraigned on multiple charges including Attempted Murder, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He is in custody at the Champaign County Jail awaiting trial. The charges allege that just after midnight on August 2, 2021, Sanders knocked on the door of a house near Neil Street and Beardsley Avenue. The 58-year-old woman who lived there approached the door and asked “Who is it?” The offender fired through the door, shooting the woman five times. She was taken to the hospital and recovered from her injuries. Officers discovered 75 shell casings at the scene and also found additional damage to houses and vehicles nearby.

 

(Pesotum-jm) – Part of I-57 in Champaign County was reduced to one lane as a result of a semi-truck crash. The crash happened in Pesotum at milepost 220. The truck, which was carrying creamer, rolled over into the right-side ditch. 

 

(Champaign County-tr) –  It's safe to say that planting in Champaign County is done. In addition, Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken says many farmers are happy with their progress, However, a few issues have arisen… 

 

 

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Median prices rose and Illinois homes sold quicker in May 2022 than they did in May 2021, as demand remained strong and mortgage interest rates moved higher, according to data from Illinois REALTORS®. Statewide home sales in May 2022 totaled 16,194 homes sold, down 10.1 percent from 18,016 in May 2021. The average Illinois home sold in 24 days in May 2022, compared to 33 days a year ago. The statewide median price went up 6.2 percent to $276,000 in May 2022 compared to May 2021. The number of homes for sale statewide was 21,718 in May 2022 compared to 28,717 in May 2021, an inventory decline of 24.4 percent.

 

(Paxton-tr) – The downtown area of Paxton is still under construction as the streetscape project continues. The rest of this week will be crucial according to Iroquois Paving Corporation of Watseka Spokesperson Ali Morel. Morel warns that traffic will be slowed, and Drivers are being asked at this time to not park on the street, through thursday evening…

 

 

Iroquois Paving Corporation of Watseka Spokesperson Ali Morel.

 

(Washington-jm) – Have farmers actually planted more soybeans than corn this spring? The answer to that will be known later this week. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state is receiving nearly 200 million dollars in federal funding towards the new Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy. This is the final grant payment from the feds, to build a 210 bed skilled care facility and 80 rooms for independent living, says State Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince…

 

 

State Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince. Prince says the facility will be state of the art and let vets have their own rooms. The independent living area is set to open next summer and the long-term care building is expected to be done in 2024.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police officials said a Seymour man was arrested in connection to an attempted arson at Town Center Apartments. Caleb Barnell was arrested on an aggravated arson charge. This comes after Champaign Fire crews were called to an apartment on June 18. Ring Security Camera footage showed someone pouring lighter fluid on a family’s door. The suspect was then seen trying to set it on fire.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Illinois State Police have set up speed vans and cameras along the Interstate 57 and 74 interchange just west of Champaign in an effort to keep drivers and workers safe. The area is in the midst of construction zones where speed limits are lower, around 55 miles per hour, compared to the rest of the highway. The first offense is a minimum of a $250 ticket, and if you do get a second offense, you can be suspended for 90 days and the minimum fine will be $750. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Inflation and high gas prices have caused pain to everyone’s wallet. But now there are new concerns about a thing called shrinkflation. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett explains…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Undated-jm) – Area communities are receiving several thousand dollars in federal COVID money and are putting it to use improving their communities. We look at communities in Ford County…Gibson City is receiving $439,961 to upgrade their water system. Kempton is receiving $28,033 to paint their water tower. Paxton is receiving $561,349 to replace two blower motors at the wastewater treatment plant. Roberts is receiving $44,771 for their water wells.

 

(Paxton-tr) – Paxton’s 38th Annual July 4th Celebration will take place on Monday. Pells Park will be the location for the Old-Fashioned festivities. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Alan Meyer shares that city workers have been cleaning up the park for the 4th… 

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Alan Meyer. 

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA's quarterly look at grain stocks will be released in a few hours. Gary Crawford reports…