(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing 15 million dollars in tourism grants. 10 million has already been awarded through a new state program to support exhibits, festivals and attractions around the state and now an additional 15 million is up for grabs. Governor Pritzker says it has been important to support an industry hit so hard by the pandemic…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and applications for this second round are now being accepted via the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website. Downstate communities are being prioritized this time around.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health Friday reported 35,371 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease in Illinois, including 48 deaths since July 22, 2022. According to the CDC, 66 counties are now rated at High Community Level for COVID-19. An additional 31 counties in Illinois are now rated at Medium Community Level. Locally, Ford, Champaign and Vermilion Counties are at high level while Iroquois is at medium.
(Fisher-jm) – The 5th annual Fisher Lucky Foot Festival gets underway this Saturday. Spokesperson Joe Wier talks about the history behind the festival…
Fisher Lucky Foot Festival Spokesperson Joe Wier.
(Roberts-jm) – Route 115 in Roberts will be closed today as the Illinois Central Railroad begins crossing improvements. The closure is expected to last seven days. A detour will direct motorists to Route 54, I-57 and U-S 24.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois drivers have an extension when it comes to renewing their driver's license. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Undated-jm) – Several area school districts are receiving a portion of $30 million set aside for safety improvements. Champaign Unit 4, Urbana schools, Thomasboro Grade, Rantoul City Schools, St. Joseph Community, St. Joseph Ogden, GCMS, Tri-Point, Cissna Park, Iroquois West and Milford are each receiving $50,000. PBL is receiving $47,627.
(Washington-jm) – Friday's USDA Agricultural Prices Report shows most farmers saw rising prices for their commodities during June. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is set to receive as much as 760 million dollars to fight the opioid epidemic. The money will come over the next 18 years, the product of lawsuit settlements with pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers. Governor J-B Pritzker is signing an executive order to ensure the funds go towards the state’s efforts battling opioid abuse…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The money will be used for prevention, intervention and treatment. Deaths from opiate related overdoses continue to rise in Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced it is offering taxpayer-funded, one-time bulk shipments of rapid COVID-19 antigen tests to all eligible long-term care facilities in Illinois. The shipments are coming in response to the increased community transmission of COVID-19 across many Illinois counties and are intended to supplement the existing testing program that these facilities are required to conduct. IDPH has acquired 250,000 tests that will be distributed through this offer.
(Springfield-jm) – The November election is just a few months away and both political parties are gearing up for what could be one of the most important elections in quite a while. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says Republicans are feeling good about the election…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois has named an interim provost. Bill Bernhard has agreed to take on the role after Andreas Cangellaris left. A national search is underway for a permanent replacement.
(Champaign-jm) – Three people, including a child, were hurt in a pair of shootings that happened in Champaign over the weekend. The first shooting happened at 9:08 p.m. on Saturday. Officers received a report of a shooting with injuries in the 1100 block of North Third Street; as they arrived, they were informed that two people had arrived by private vehicle at the hospital with gunshot wounds – a 26-year-old man with multiple injuries and a child with a gunshot wound to the leg. Both victims’ injuries were not life threatening and they are listed in stable condition. The initial investigation indicated that the two were outside when the shooting occurred. A building was also hit by the shots. The second shooting happened at 5:49 a.m. on Sunday. Officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Alberta Parkway and were subsequently informed that a 17-year-old female had also arrived by private vehicle at an area hospital. She had a gunshot wound to the torso, but it was not life threatening and she too is in stable condition. The investigation indicated that the victim was in her car on Alberta when she was shot through the door. Reports indicated that three unknown men were seen running away to the north. Champaign Police are investigating both shootings. At this time, it is not known if the shootings are connected and no arrests have been made in connection to either shooting.
(Ford/Iroquois-tr) – The Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau will be hosting a Farm Legacy Planning session to discuss how farm families can transfer their farms to the next generation. Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager David Treece says that members will need to call in to reserve their spot…
Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager David Treece
(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Fire Department was called to a house fire in the 1000 block of Eastview Drive. The fire started on the outside of the house and was called in by neighbors. There were no injuries reported.
(Washington-jm) – Producers suffering qualifying natural disaster crop losses in 2020 and 2021 now have more time to apply for USDA Emergency Relief Program funding. Rod Bain reports…
