(Springfield-jm) – Time is running out for eligible Illinois residents to submit their claims as part of a multi-million dollar settlement in a class-action lawsuit involving Google. The lawsuit, which mirrors one recently settled with Facebook that resulted in many residents receiving checks worth nearly $400 this year, claimed the company violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act by "collecting and storing biometric data of individuals who, while residing in Illinois, appeared in a photograph in the photograph sharing and storage service known as Google Photos, without proper notice and consent." The deadline to submit your claim is September 24th.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House’s Public Safety Task Force learned more about  hate crimes at this week’s meeting. Several speakers from Jewish, Asian, LGBTQ, Hindu and other groups made presentations and one common theme is that hate crimes are on the rise and are underreported. Julie Justicz with the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights…

 

 

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights’ Julie Justicz. Others giving testimony offered recommendations such as creating additional avenues for people to report hate crimes and more training for police and prosecutors on the issue.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Park District is hoping to renovate baseball fields at Douglass Park. They gained approval to apply for a $400,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  With the grant, they’re hoping to add a concession stand, bathrooms and shade coverings over the dugouts.

 

(Paxton–jc)  — H-VAC work at some of the Paxton Buckley Loda school buildings is continuing through the school year. P-B-L School Superintendent Cliff McClure says delays in getting materials is the reason…

 

 

P-B-L School Superintendent Cliff Mcclure

 

(Undated-jm) – Attorney General Kwame Raoul Thursday announced the arrests of three individuals for their alleged participation in a burglary ring that spanned several Illinois counties. Raoul’s office filed charges against Giulia and Gino Wuttke and Alyssa Slouka, alleging they were part of a ring that stole approximately $400,000 from video gaming machines throughout Illinois. They are accused of stealing from gaming machines in Champaign, Vermilion and Iroquois Counties along with 16 other counties. Gino Wuttke is charged with 41 counts of burglary, 1 count of theft and 2 counts of money laundering. Giulia Wuttke is charged with 2 counts of money laundering and 1 count each of conspiracy to commit theft, burglary and money laundering. Alyssa Slouka is charged with 2 counts each of burglary, theft and money laundering and 1 count each of conspiracy to commit theft, burglary and money laundering. In addition, Brian Morgan of Plainfield is accused of participating in the Iroquois County burglary as well as 12 other counties. He is facing 24 counts of burglary, 1 count of theft and 2 counts of money laundering. Authorities are still looking for 2 other people.

 

(Paxton-jm) – A building in downtown Paxton has come down. The old bowling alley was torn down this week. It’s unclear what will happen to the space.

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA adjusted beef production forecasts up for this current calendar year and the next year in their latest outlook. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – California’s move to ban sales of gas vehicles in the state by 2035 may go too far even for Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. California Governor Gavin Newsom this week heralded his state’s move. Pritzker told a group of farmers this week he had a chance to sign onto the pact with California but didn’t. Pritzker has a stated goal of one million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission says the President’s student loan debt plan could be fairly significant for borrowers here. More than one point five million Illinois borrowers hold over 57 billion dollars in direct student loans, so the debt relief plan could have a serious impact. I-SAC Spokesperson Lynne Baker runs the numbers, but stresses that they don’t know how many borrowers meet the income eligibility guidelines…

 

 

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Spokesperson Lynne Baker. Baker says 31 percent of Illinois borrowers, assuming they are under the income limit, would see their debt completely erased.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Four people have been arrested in connection to a murder that happened almost eight years ago. The Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office charged all four suspects with at least one count of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder. The suspects are: Peter Campbell of Champaign, Dylon Cann of East St. Louis, Anthony Gilmore of Champaign and Joseph Hart of Champaign. Campbell and Hart were charged with five counts of first-degree murder each while Cann and Gilmore were charged with only one count of the same offense. All four are in custody pending trial. The charges allege that the four were responsible for the shooting death of 40-year-old Rashidi Overstreet on December 22, 2014. Officers responded to the area of Brookwood Drive and Winding Lane at 1:10 a.m. that day for a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found evidence of a shooting and two victims. Overstreet died from his injuries while the second victim made a full recovery.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Masonic Lodge will be holding their Get out of Dodge drawing coming up Swine n Dine weekend September 17th. Spokesperson Jim Sherl talks about some of the things the mason’s do…

 

 

Paxton Masonic Lodge Spokesperson Jim Sherl.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign police have announced the arrest of an Urbana man in connection to an early July shooting. Jazontae Sanders was arrested by U-S Marshals Thursday morning and charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. Sanders is accused of shooting at a driver on University Avenue. The victim crashed his car as a result of the shooting. Sanders is being held in the Champaign County Jail.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A new program at the University of Illinois is supporting students who are on the autism spectrum. The director of the Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative Pilot Program said they are helping students reach their full potential through lectures and hands-on lab classes. There are 10 students in the program, all freshmen and sophomores majoring in subjects ranging from business to engineering.

 

(Washington-jm) – What adjustments did USDA make for both hog production and prices for this year in its latest forecasts? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

The 2022 Mahomet Music Fest will take place tonight and tomorrow. Tonight its the Tons of Fun Band and Hairbangers Ball. Saturday its Rhett Walker, Onoleigh, Drew Green and then festival headliner Randy Houser.

 

The 1st annual David Williams Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament will take place today at Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Mahomet.

 

The Rantoul Public Library will  host an outdoor movie tonight at 8:15 pm showing Minions.

 

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Hands of Christ Food Pantry on Saturday from 10-2.