(Springfield-jm) – Some firearm owners in Illinois may soon need to update their Firearm Ownership Identification. A new bill filed by Representative Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn would require young gun owners to apply for a FOID card again after their 21st birthday. She says this proposal would give law enforcement the chance to do another background check. According to Illinois State Police, in order for someone under the age of 21 to obtain a FOID card in Illinois, they must have a FOID-eligible parent or guardian to sponsor their child’s application. An active duty member of the military over the age of 18 does not need a parent or guardian.
(Springfield-jm) – The state is awarding an electric vehicle tax incentive package to a Decatur manufacturing company. T-C-C-I plans to invest more than 20 million dollars into retooling its Decatur facility to manufacture compressors for electric vehicles. Governor J-B Pritzker says in turn, the state is offering tax breaks under the new “Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act.”...
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The project will retain 103 current positions and create over 50 new jobs. Additionally, T-C-C-I is partnering with Richland Community College to set up a climate innovation center and workforce training academy.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department will be holding their annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony this Sunday and they are inviting the public to attend.
The ceremony will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Champaign Fire and Police Memorial. The Memorial is located in the northeast corner of West Side Park, located at 400 West University Avenue.
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs your help to find a couple thieves. They’re wanted for retail theft. Police were called to Meijer in Urbana at 2500 Philo Road at 5:20 p.m. on August 13. Surveillance video captured two people working together to load more than $1,000 in electronics into backpacks. They then left the store without paying. They left in a black Chevrolet Impala with a damaged rear window which was covered with tape and plastic. The first male appeared to be in his low to mid 20s. He was wearing a purple do-rag, yellow surgical mask, and a white long-sleeve MTV shirt. The second male appeared to be in his upper 20s with a beard. He wore a black do-rag, blue surgical mask, and a black zip-up sweatshirt with three white stripes on the sleeves. They both left carrying backpacks.
(Springfield-jm) – After nearly 20 Illinois State Police vehicles have been hit this year, one state lawmaker is reminding the motoring public about Scott’s Law. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says its all about bringing first responders home safely…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Springfield-jm) – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is inviting first responders and healthcare workers to visit for free next weekend in recognition of what they do. The day of recognition will be September 11. The Museum and Library said that police officers, paramedics, soldiers, ER nurses, firefighters and dispatchers all work hard to keep people safe. On the 21st anniversary of 9/11, they will get to visit a museum dedicated to a president who “kept the nation safe.”
(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office arrested several individuals following an underage drinking party over the weekend. This one occurred at a residence in rural Milford. Those arrested were charged with illegal consumption or possession of alcohol by a minor. Police say several of the attendees were from over 30 miles away. The sheriff’s office is also investigating a driver leaving the scene of an accident near the residence.
(Springfield-jm) – Here’s the latest crop report for Illinois. Both temperatures and rainfall were a little above normal this past week, and average statewide topsoil moisture now stands at 9 percent very short, 21 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 88 percent of the Illinois corn crop is in the dough stage or beyond…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 89 percent of soybeans are setting pods and 4 percent are dropping leaves. The condition of the soybean crop improved to 67 percent in good to excellent condition.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus, which consists of several downstate lawmakers, is looking for fixes to Illinois' unemployment rate, which continues to lag the nation's by nearly a full percentage point. Illinois currently has a 4.4% unemployment rate, compared to the U.S. average of 3.5%. The state's economy also continues to trail the rest of the nation as the Land of Lincoln finished 48th for worst unemployment change last month. According to Illinois Worker Adjustment and Training Notification Act data, in the past three months ending July 31, around 22 businesses in Illinois have announced they will be laying off 1,460 workers. The group says the state needs to work on lowering property taxes, pension reform and lower corporate income taxes.
(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois State Police regional headquarters is planned for East St. Louis. The state-of-the-art headquarters will house two outdated local offices and take a holistic approach to reducing violent crime says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The land comes from local non-profit group Lansdowne Up. The design phase will soon get underway with completion estimated to be in about 3 to 4 years.
(Champaign-jm) – A lane on Prospect Avenue in Champaign will be closing later this week in order to accommodate routine sewer maintenance. Traffic on southbound Prospect will be reduced to one lane between Devonshire and Huntington Drives starting at 7 a.m. today. The lane will reopen at 4 p.m. before closing again at 7 a.m. on Thursday. This process will repeat until 4 p.m. on Friday, when maintenance is expected to be complete.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will soon host COVID-19 bivalent vaccination clinics beginning the week of September 12. As of September 1, 2022 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations for use of updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and from Moderna for people ages 18 years and older. Due to limited vaccines, the CUPHD will begin with the most vulnerable populations and limit the first weeks to Champaign County residents age 65 and older. Appointments are required.
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton’s Swine n Dine will be coming up here in September. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis says it will be a fun-filled day in downtown Paxton…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis.
(Vermilion County-jm) – The annual River to Rail bike ride is returning to Vermilion County this Saturday. Hosted by the Vermilion County Conservation District, the ride will feature four routes along the Kickapoo Rail Trail, each a different length – 63, 37, 30 and 7.5 miles. The three longest routes will take cyclists to the Rail Trail section that includes the trestle bridge above the Middle Fork River; the shortest will stay within Kennekuk County Park. All proceeds from the event will benefit the continued development of the Rail Trail. The cost of registration will include stops and support along the route, a t-shirt and lunch.
(Philo-jm) – The Illinois State Police has released new information about a crash that shut down a highway in Champaign County Friday morning. The crash happened on Illinois Route 130 three miles south of Philo. State Troopers said a Chevrolet Corvette was driving southbound near County Road 500 N when it crossed into the northbound lane and hit a semi-truck traveling in that direction.
The driver of the Corvette was extricated from their car and was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. The highway was shut down for six hours as authorities investigated the crash and cleared the highway of debris.
(Springfield-jm) – Here’s the latest crop report for Illinois. 64 percent of corn is in the dent stage and 11 percent of the crop is mature. The condition of the corn crop improved to 71 percent in good to excellent shape. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at soybeans…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The third cutting of alfalfa hay is now 75 percent complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated as 9 percent very short, 21 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.
