(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Jesse White’s office is again extending the expiration date for Illinois driver’s licenses and ID cards. The current expiration deadline is July 31st, but that’s now being delayed until December 1st. That way, no one needs to rush into their local driver’s license facility, says Spokesperson Henry Haupt. He notes that more people than ever can now renew their license online…
Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt. You can also take care of other business online, like renewing your license plate sticker at: il sos dot gov.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation will be hosting a virtual public meeting this Thursday regarding the state’s National Electric Infrastructure Plan. The plan is the latest effort by Governor Pritzker to have 1 million electric vehicles registered in Illinois by 2030. During the meeting, IDOT will provide information about the plan and receive feedback from the public. The feedback and comments gathered at the meeting will help guide IDOT in developing a statewide plan to create and support an interconnected network of charging stations along key travel routes. The plan is required for Illinois to receive an anticipated $148 million to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure as part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed last year.
(Springfield-jm) – Clean energy proponents are calling on regional power grid operator “MISO” to move forward with a number of solar and wind projects. MISO serves central and southern Illinois as well as other midwestern states, managing the generation and transmission of electricity. But during a press conference, Senator Cristina Castro of Elgin said the operators need to stop relying so heavily on fossil fuels…
State Senator Cristina Castro of Elgin. Castro says if Ameren customers ever find themselves in the dark, MISO’s inaction is to blame.
(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson City Police Department and Livingston County Proactive Unit conducted a search warrant at a home in Gibson City on Friday. Officers said upon conducting the search they arrested multiple people for drugs and weapons. William Lindsay was arrested for meth delivery and possession, as well as possession of firearms and ammunition. Richard Fidler was arrested for meth delivery and possession. Patricia Chandler and Shaya Krueger were arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Kody Rengel was arrested for possession of meth, and hypodermic needles. Gibson Police said that during the execution of the warrant they seized: 75 grams of meth, 25 Clonazepam pills, hypodermic needles, ammunition, and cash. The suspects were booked at the Ford County Jail.
(Champaign-tr) – The Champaign County Fair runs through July 30th. Champaign County Fair Board Vice President Bill Alagna says today will feature the Cincinnati Circus performing throughout the day…
Champaign County Fair Board Vice President Bill Alagna.
(Undated-jm) – Nearly all Illinois counties are rated at high or medium community level for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 94 counties in Illinois are rated at high or medium community level. Fifty-eight are at high and 36 are at medium level. Ford, Champaign, McLean and Vermilion Counties are at high level. Iroquois, Kankakee, Piatt and DeWitt Counties are at medium level.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's new cattle report points to a continued reduction in the beef herd for some time to come. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – The state is awarding nearly 150 new adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses. These 149 conditional licenses are the first to be issued under the state’s recreational cannabis law and are based on three lotteries conducted last year. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Secretary Mario Treto says they reflect the state’s commitment to social equity…
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Secretary Mario Treto. Licensees have 180 days to secure a physical storefront location.
(Springfield-jm) – According to a recent poll, Illinois Democrats would like to see Governor J.B. Pritzker in the White House if Joe Biden doesn't run for re-election. Victory Research, a polling company based in Chicago, said 77% of respondents were in favor of Pritzker going for the Democratic nomination. As for Illinois Republicans, nearly 90% were not in favor of Pritzker running for President.
(Springfield-jm) – Chicago area expressway shootings are down 36 percent so far this year. From January until now, there have been 84 expressway shootings. There were 132 shootings during the same period last year. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says they have really focused on this particular issue, employing special enforcement details, technology like license plate readers, air patrols and more…
State Police Director Brendan Kelly. One person has died in an expressway shooting this year. That compares to 10 during the first half of 2021.
(Champaign-jm) – A 22-year-old man was shot in his legs while he was walking along a Champaign street, according to police. On Friday at 10:43 p.m Champaign Police responded to the 100 block of Kenwood Road for a report of a shooting with injury. According to police, when officers arrived they found a 22-year-old Urbana man who had been shot in his leg. Police said his injuries were non-life-threatening. According to police the man was walking northbound near a building on Kenwood Road when an unknown man subject walked past him, turned around, and fired multiple shots from a weapon, striking the victim from behind. According to police the gunman fled the scene.
(Ford.Iroquois-tr) – Ag leaders here in Illinois are concerned about many things going into the harvest of 2022. Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager David Treece explains…
Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager David Treece.
(Champaign-jm) – Construction crews will be closing a lane on University Avenue in downtown Champaign this week in order to install amenities atop a building rooftop. University will close between Neil and Walnut Streets to allow for the installation at 9 East University. The closure will last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., during which eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane.
(Washington-jm) – The nomination deadline is coming up for potential candidates for this year's Farm Service Agency County Committee elections. Rod Bain reports…
