(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Link card users temporarily won't be able to make purchases or ATM withdrawals. Scheduled maintenance is set to take place from August 20 to August 21. Officials say this is because the state is transitioning to a new link card system. Link cards will be inactive beginning at 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 20 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 21. The Illinois Link Helpline and the Illinois Link card website will also be down during that time.

 

(Springfield-jm) – After the latest deposit, the state’s rainy day fund now tops one billion dollars. That’s the most the fund has ever had says Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and a vital resource should the state suffer tough times…

 

 

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Mendoza would eventually like to see more than 3 billion dollars in the fund. During the state’s budget impasse between 2015 and 2017, the rainy day fund was whittled down to about 48 thousand dollars.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois released on Thursday new information about its COVID-19 policies for the fall 2022 semester. The university sent a Massmail to the university community on July 26 detailing its policies, which included full vaccination or a weekly testing alternative for all students, faculty and staff, the lifting of masking requirements in classrooms and campus spaces and the retirement of Building Access Status. Now, the university has released another Massmail regarding testing for those who are and are not fully vaccinated. In the Massmail, Chancellor Robert Jones reiterated that people who are not fully vaccinated must receive an on-campus test once per week.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been held in contempt over a dozen times this year. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett says something needs to be done…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Undated-jm) – Several central Illinois nursing homes are being fined by the state. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health released its 2022 second quarterly report. Showing nursing homes violating the nursing home care act. Locally: Accolade of Paxton on Pells was fined $2,200 for failing to protect a resident from sexual abuse by another resident, Clark Lindsey in Urbana was fined $25,000 after they failed to monitor a high fall risk resident that resulted in the resident being taken to the hospital 3 times for falls within a week. Country Health in Gifford was fined $2,200 after a resident reported money taken from her purse. Illini Heritage Champaign was fined $4,400 for failing to ensure a resident was not subjected to a physical restraint and assessed for appropriate and necessary use of a physical restraint. University Rehab of Urbana was fined $25,000 for failing to protect a resident being changed, allowing the resident to fall on the floor and failing to protect a patient while moving them in a lift resulting in a leg fracture.

 

(Paxton–jc) The 10th annual Paxton Swine and Dine is more than just a Barbeque Ribs and Chicken contest. On Saturday September 17th,  Kids activities, a Major Bags Tournament and lots of food will hilite the day. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Alan Mayer says a nationally known Country act will be in Paxton in Tracy Lawrence…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Alan Meyer.

 

(Undated-jm) – Farmland values throughout central and southern Illinois increased 27.88% on average from last year, according to the 2022 study of 20 benchmark farms by the Farm Credit Illinois appraisal team. The study has occurred annually since 1974. 2022 values have reached all-time highs in Farm Credit Illinois’s 60-county territory. The previous peak followed a dramatic run-up from 2003-2014. Results slightly declined from 2015-2018 before rising moderately beginning in 2019. This is the fourth consecutive year of an increase in the Farm Credit Illinois territory, with several areas reflecting historic increases due to an active market. Nineteen of the 20 benchmark farms increased in value while one remained unchanged. When considering the individual benchmarks values, the year-over-year changes ranged from no change to a 55.74% increase.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Fair is underway in Springfield. The deep fryers are sizzling, the lemons have been juiced, livestock are settling in and the carnival rides are ready to go. At the official ribbon cutting Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton reminded that the fair is most importantly about agriculture and family…

 

 

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. Tickets are still on sale for grandstand concerts like Demi Lovato, Willie Nelson and Shaggy and TLC. The Illinois State Fair runs through Sunday, August 21st. You can find all the details online at: illinois state fair dot info.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A man arrested earlier this week for trespassing at Illini Hall was arrested again the next day. Gregory Cowart was arrested again at Illini Hall for trespassing on state-supported property. University of Illinois Police say he was arrested after a witness claimed to have seen Cowart inside the building yelling at a construction crew.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinoisans will be heading to the polls in about four months for the general election. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington talks about what Republicans in the state need to do in November…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The City of Urbana wants to hear from the community about its downtown area. The city is conducting a downtown public realm survey, analyzing streets, parks, plazas and much more. People can provide their input on ways to improve the downtown area and identify a plan to enhance the public realm.

 

(St Joseph–jc)  –  The St Joseph 150th celebration and Community Festival kicks off officially this afternoon in the Champaign County community. St Joseph Mayor Tammi-Fruhling Vogues talks about activities on Friday and Saturday…

 

 

St Joseph Mayor Tammi Fruhling-Vogues. Other events include a parade at 3pm on Saturday. There are also planned fireworks on Saturday night. WPXN will be broadcasting live at the event on Saturday morning at 11 as part of our Summer Fun Tour 2022

 

Cissna Park Shop the Park event takes place from 9-1 on Saturday.

 

The Paxton Police Department shooting range will be open to the public on Saturday from 10-noon. Cost is $10.

 

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting York Rite of Paxton on Saturday from 10-2.