(Springfield-jm) – Some Democratic-leaning states that took out loans from the federal government to pay out unemployment funds are not repaying the debt with budget surpluses, which will result in small increases in taxes for businesses to recover the funds. Some made dents in the debt owed but declined to pay off the balance in full. If debts aren’t repaid by November, all businesses in the states will be charged $21 per employee by the federal government and higher state taxes on businesses to fund unemployment programs. Illinois owes roughly $1.8 billion in unemployment funds after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation to pay back $2.7 billion in March using funds from the American Rescue Plan. Republican state lawmakers had lobbied the state’s Democratic majority to repay the balance in full using those funds.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The condition of Illinois crops improved over the past week. The rain was welcome in many fields and gave crops a little boost, says Statistician Mark Schleusener…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 15 percent of corn is silking and 66 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. 92 percent of winter wheat has been harvested and average statewide topsoil moisture is now rated as 9 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Emily Claire Hari, formerly Michael Hari, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for trying to firebomb a woman’s health clinic in Champaign. Hari pleaded guilty to attempted arson charges back in February. Monday Hari received a 14 year sentence. That sentence is to run concurrent with the 53 year sentence Hari received for the bombing of a Minnesota mosque.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a single vehicle accident Monday afternoon. Crews were called to the single vehicle rollover accident on Route 45 near 500 north near the Ludlow Co-op Elevator around 3:15. No word on if there were any injuries.

 

(Rantoul-tr) – The village of Rantoul has finalized the purchase of two new police vehicles. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says delivery of those vehicles are expected in 6-12 months… 

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is partnering with local businesses and organizations to invest $300,000 to fight violent crime in Champaign County. The university is joined by Busey Bank, Carle Health, Christie Clinic, OSF HealthCare and the United Way of Champaign County, each of which is investing $50,000. The funds, named Investment for Impact, will be allocated to the United Way of Champaign County to address immediate solutions to violent crime, as well as long-term solutions to address underlying factors and patterns that lead to future violent behavior.

 

(Washington-jm) – May was another stellar month for U.S. agricultural export sales. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Ogden–jc)  –  A semi truck fire shut  down both lanes along Interstate 74 near mile marker 202 late last night. Police say the accident happened around 10 last night.  Workers remained on the scene for several hours. Both lanes were closed for two hours. Clean up continues in the area and motorists are reminded to slow down and move over in accident scenes.
 

(Washington-jm) – Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is set to testify in Washington, D.C. today on how the reversal of Roe v. Wade will impact women and the nation. The panel hearing she will be testifying at is called “Post-Roe V. Wade America: The Legal Consequences of the Dobbs Decision.”

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The condition of Illinois crops improved over the past week. 29 percent of soybeans are blooming and two percent are setting pods. Statistician Mark Schleusener says 63 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition, which is better than the previous week…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 92 percent of winter wheat has been harvested and 63 percent of the second cutting of alfalfa hay is now complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture came in at 9 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Rantoul village leaders could decide tonight on giving a $300 utility credit to residents. The proposal was brought up at last week’s study session. The proposal would use some of the village’s American Rescue Plan money to go towards the credit. Proponents say it will help those struggling with the high prices of inflation. Opponents say that money should go towards other upgrades in the village. The Rantoul village board meeting gets underway at 6.

 

(Gibson City-tr) – The Hometown Heroes Bike Run will take place Saturday July 16th, starting from the American Legion Post 568 in Gibson City. American Legion Post 568 Treasurer Tabitha Renfrow explains who this event will benefit… 

 

 

American Legion Post 568 Treasurer Tabitha Renfrow.

 

(Champaign-jm) – People in Champaign have a chance to engage with police officers today during the Champaign Police Department’s latest Coffee With a Cop event. The event will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Farmhouse Restaurant at Harvest Market, located at 2029 South Neil Street. The community is invited to join officers for conversation over a coffee.

 

(Fisher-tr) – The 81st Annual Fisher Fair is set for today through Saturday. Fisher Fair Secretary Jill Hardesty says that Tuesday is Military day and Queens Night… 

 

 

Fisher Fair Secretary Jill Hardesty.

WPXN will be broadcasting live at the fair tomorrow morning with Becky Puetz

 

(Champaign-jm) – A COVID-19 outbreak at a senior living facility in Champaign has residents living there on lockdown. Inman Place is dealing with 13 cases, and one of the people living there has died from COVID complications. 88-year-old Donald Blankenship, a former Champaign police officer, tested positive this week and passed away shortly afterward. Family members said he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign will not have contractors performing annual outdoor warning siren maintenance to each of the fifteen sirens in the City’s alerting system on July 12 and 13. Originally the contractors were going to activate the warning sirens for short periods of time, not to exceed thirty seconds, to ensure proper performance during emergencies. Should an actual emergency exist, the warning sirens will activate as normal, for a period exceeding two minutes. However, due to possible storms they will reschedule for a later time.

 

(Washington-jm) – Will this year's agricultural exports reach the record high levels being projected? Gary Crawford reports…