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Unemployment claims are reaching lows in Illinois

(Springfield-jm) – Because of inflation that accelerated to 9.1 percent last month, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is warning of an economic storm ahead that could include increased layoffs and decreased home values. Chamber CEO Todd Maisch said Illinois policy makers should ensure they are responsible with state spending and avoid tax increases in light of negative economic indicators.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Unemployment claims are reaching lows in Illinois. The number of people continuing to certify for benefits has hit a historic low of a little over 65 thousand says State Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards…

 

 

State Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards. Richards says job growth in the manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, professional, technical and business services sectors has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

 

(Paxton-jm) – A Paxton man who was reportedly selling cocaine at a local downtown business was sentenced to nine years in state prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Christopher Bradley pleaded guilty to the Class X felony and was sentenced during a pretrial hearing in Ford County Circuit Court. Bradley was scheduled to stand trial the following Monday. In exchange for Bradley’s plea, State’s Attorney Andrew Killian agreed to dismiss additional Class 1 felony charges of manufacture/delivery of 1-15 grams of cocaine. When Bradley was arrested on the warrant on April 21st, police found on his person five bags of suspected cocaine weighing a combined 5.5 grams, plus $408 in cash. That same day, Paxton police executed a search warrant at Bradley’s home at 249 S. Winter St., where they found 156.5 grams of suspected cocaine valued at about $15,650, plus $337 in cash

 

(Rantoul-tr) – The village of Rantoul is expecting the final plans for a new shopping center. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says it will be located at the former Knights Inn location… 

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – Illinois State Police say a Paxton man died after a crash on I-57, around six miles north of Champaign. In a news release, troopers said it happened around 1:45 a.m. Thursday. They stated Kyle Messer was driving southbound when he–for unknown reasons, veered his car toward the right guardrail and hit it. The car then caught on fire. Troopers said Messer was trapped in the car and could not get out. Messer was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – After reviewing wages of all those who work for Vermilion County, the County Board has approved a new contract for Juvenile Detention Center employees. The new contract is for three years and includes a three percent increase each year. Also included is a one time $5,000 payment to each employee. The county board is looking at seven other contracts for county employees and hope to approve those next month.

 

(Washington-jm) – What's the likely market scenario for U.S. soybean growers during this next crop season? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Another $100 million has been deposited into the state’s rainy day fund that used to barely have enough money to run the state for 30 seconds. Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced the latest deposit, saying the total now is $854 million. The fund at one point had less than $60,000, something Mendoza said was not enough to run things for half a minute.

 

(Springfield-jm) – This may be another big year for winter wheat in Illinois. According to the July production report, harvested wheat acres are estimated at 720 thousand, up 110 thousand from last year. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says the yield should be strong…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The Illinois oats yield is forecasted to be 82 bushels per acre, down one from 2021.

 

(Undated-jm) – A bicycle ride honoring fallen police officers will be coming through Central Illinois. The 18th annual Cycle Across Illinois started Thursday in Alton and rode to Springfield. Today the riders will go from Springfield to Urbana. Tomorrow the group will ride from Urbana to Bourbonnais, making stops in Rantoul, Paxton, Buckley and Gilman. The riders are expected to be in Rantoul around 9:25, Paxton around 10:51, Buckley around 11:59 and Gilman around 1:53. The group will wrap up their ride Sunday going from Bourbonnais to Bridgview. In total the riders will complete 355 miles.

 

(Iroquois Fair-tr) – The Iroquois County Fair will run July 19th -24th just outside Crescent City. Iroquois County Fair Secretary Pat Ward shares just how many people it takes to make a county fair great…

 

 

Iroquois County Fair Secretary Pat Ward.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Thursday morning at approximately 5:14 a.m., Champaign Police responded to the 400 block of E. Beardsley Avenue for a report of a shooting with injury. Upon arrival, officers located 34-year-old Latoya Gwin from Champaign unresponsive with a life-threatening gunshot wound and immediately rendered medical aid. The woman was transported to an area hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.  The initial investigation indicates that the woman was a resident of the premises, and was engaged in a domestic dispute when a firearm was discharged and she was struck. No arrests have been made at this time.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton pool will close in early August. The pool will close August 7th due to staffing with school getting ready to start. This is the first year the pool has been open since 2019.

 

(Washington-jm) – Price Inflation for Food is running higher than for all goods in the general economy. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

The Fisher Community Fair continues through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Fisher. Tonight at 7 its country music superstar Joe Nichols taking the stage. Saturday at 6 its the demolition derby.

 

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Rantoul Masonic Lodge on Saturday from 10-2.

 

Hometown Heroes will host a bike run on Saturday starting at 11 am at the Gibson City American Legion. Cost is $30 per couple, $20 per person.

 

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