(Ashkum-jm) – An Illinois State Trooper's vehicle was hit in a Scott's Law Violation. Illinois State Police said on Saturday, at 2:34 a.m., Troopers investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP District 21 Trooper on Route 45 in Kankakee County. According to state police, a District 21 Trooper was outside their squad car with emergency lights activated, investigating a prior traffic crash. Police say a green Chevrolet Trail Blazer, traveling southbound on US Route 45, failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and hit the rear of the ISP squad car. The ISP Trooper and the driver of the previously crashed vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The 24-year-old driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured but was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and a violation of Scott’s Law – Improper Passing of an Emergency Vehicle Causing Injury to Another.
(Springfield-jm) – Official numbers aren’t available yet but all indications point to a successful Illinois State Fair. The fair wrapped up yesterday. State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark says they are cautiously optimistic that attendance was up this year…
State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. Up next, the DuQuoin State Fair which kicks off Friday and runs through Labor Day..
(Champaign-jm) – In order to perform storm sewer repairs, SNC Construction will be closing the right lane of westbound University Avenue between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. Travel through the work zone will be merged into a single westbound lane. Eastbound University Avenue will remain unaffected by this project. Work is scheduled to begin this morning, and is planned to be completed and reopened to traffic by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.
(Urbana-jm) – A student organization is calling out an Illinois university for requiring proof of vaccination this fall. Despite a directive from the governor that removed a requirement for institutions of higher learning to implement a vaccine mandate, the University of Illinois announced that its three campus locations will continue to require students and faculty to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Students and faculty at campuses in Champaign-Urbana, Springfield and Chicago will be required to receive the vaccine or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. The student activist group Young Americans for Liberty is critical of the mandate after the Governor and CDC relaxed COVID protocols.
(Paxton–jc) School officials continue to receive positive comments on the school buildings near Interstate 57 and even more positive comments on the giant U-S Flag on that same property. P-B-L School Superintendent Cliff McClure says it is nice to be part of those conversations…
PBL School Superintendent Cliff McClure.
(Gibson City-jm) – There will be a hymn festival at the Gibson City United Methodist Church on Sunday, August 28, sponsored by Gibson Area Music Foundation. The free event will begin at 3 p.m. and will be followed by a complimentary ice cream social with Crowbridge Ice Cream. Milt Kelly of Fisher will lead singing and offer information about hymns. Special music performances will also be given. The church offers ample free parking and the sanctuary is fully accessible.
(Springfield-jm) – The Republican candidate for Illinois state treasurer introduced two measures he hopes will block any attempt to tax retirement income in Illinois.
State Representative Tom Demmer won the Republican primary for treasurer in June and will face incumbent Mike Frerichs in the upcoming general election. Demmer introduced a House resolution that seeks to block a retirement income tax that he says could be coming. Demmer said the action comes in response to Governor J.B. Pritzker introduced a $3 billion tax increase plan in 2020 that voters ultimately rejected. Frerichs has said he supported taxing retirement income but hasn’t said what income brackets he would support.
(Springfield-jm) – As the new school year begins, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency says it’s a good idea to arm kids with a preparedness plan. IEMA recommends making a family communications plan in case of disaster and encouraging younger kids to take drills seriously. Spokesperson Kevin Sur says you should also make sure your child has emergency contact information readily available…
IEMA Spokesperson Kevin Sur. Sur says you can also teach kids to “Text First, Talk Later” and send a simple message like “I’m Ok” during an emergency in case phone calls aren’t going through. College kids should have their own disaster preparedness kits at school.
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton firefighters were called to a smoke investigation Sunday afternoon. Crews were called to the 300 block of Fulton Street just before 5pm. Firefighters did not find any smoke in the house.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign is hosting a labor day parade downtown. The theme is “Yes, for Worker’s Rights.” The AFL/CIO of Champaign County is hosting the parade. It will start at 10 a.m. and the route starts at North Chestnut and goes to East Main, and will end up at North Walnut to East Washington Street. Following the parade there will be free food, games, and entertainment at Westside Park.
(Cissna Park–jc) Congratulations to Morgan Sinn of Cissna Park. She was the winner of a brand new car on Saturday night at the Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion. Though rain hampered events on Saturday Night, the three day event was another success for the Cissna Park American Legion Post 527.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation recently released their 5 year construction plan. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about what it means for the area…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® reports July home sales in the Champaign County area moderated from the record-high monthly levels reported in the previous two years. The Champaign County area median and average home sale prices continued to report gains while the average number of days on the market continued to decline to 19 days in July from 30 days a year ago. According to the group, the median home sale price in the Champaign County area rose 8.33 percent to $195,000 from $180,000 in July of 2021. Home sales in the Champaign County area decreased 15.56 percent in July to 331 units from 392 in July of 2021. Year-to-date home sales were down 9.73 percent to 1,762 sales from the totals year-to-date of 1,952 sales through July of 2021. The average home sale price for July was $218,020 up 1.74 percent from $214,297 in July 2021.
