(Chicago-jm) – Foreign nationals who illegally crossed over the U.S.-Mexico border continue to be bused from Texas to Illinois. WTTW reports city officials said 145 more immigrants arrived in Chicago since Monday. That brings the total to over 3,500 people. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has promised to welcome the migrants with open arms, but has relocated some to nearby cities.
(Springfield-jm) – October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the FBI is spreading the word and tips to help people avoid becoming victims. A report of cybercrime in 2021 by the Internet Crime Complaint Center shows that Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for the most Internet crimes and seventh in total victim losses at almost $185 million. By victim count, identity theft ranks the highest followed by non-payment/non-delivery crimes. By dollar loss, business email composite is at the top. They have some tips to keep you safe: Do not open any email attachment or click a link unless you are expecting the file, document, or invoice and have verified the sender’s email address. Avoid using free charging stations in airports and shopping centers as these can infect devices with malware and monitoring software. Keep systems and software up to date and install a strong, reputable anti-virus program. Create a strong and unique passphrase for each online account and change passphrases regularly. Use multi-factor authentication. Examine the email address in all correspondence and scrutinize website URLs before responding to a message or visiting a site. Be cautious about the information you share in online profiles and social media accounts.
(Springfield-jm) – It’s deer mating season and the Illinois Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be extra careful. Deer are more active this time of year, especially at dusk and dawn says IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel…
IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Last year in Illinois, there were more than 14 thousand reported deer-vehicle crashes, with most resulting in damage. The top counties for accidents in 2021 were Cook, Madison, Will, Sangamon and Peoria.
(Urbana-jm) – The private owner of the former Champaign County Nursing Home hasn’t paid a cent toward property tax bills on the facility this year. The second installment of 2021 tax payments was due September 1 in Champaign County. A month-and-a-half later, Evanston-based University Rehab Real Estate LLC has withheld $284,428.02, including more than $14,000 in penalties. The bills remain unpaid as the future of the facility, now called University Rehabilitation Center,
remains unclear.
(Springfield-jm) – Inflation has been making the news headlines lately as the cost of gas and groceries rise. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about how it's affecting the state…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – U of I researchers are partnering with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to tackle homelessness in Champaign. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance act is a federal act that was passed to focus on homeless children. Together, they are searching for families with school-aged children to participate in this research. Researchers will pay these families $750 monthly for six consecutive months, with no strings attached.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College trustees have approved Dr. Pamela Lau's contract, confirming her as the sixth president of the college. Lau, who currently serves as executive vice president at Parkland, will succeed fifth president Dr. Thomas Ramage following his retirement at the end of the year. Lau's four-year contract is set to begin in January and will extend through December 2026. Ramage will retire after 15 years at the helm.
(Undated–jc) – Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Impact Your Farm Legacy Now. This is a panel group that wants to help farm family owners talk about the process of transitioning farm properties from generation to buyers. They are a group that is not selling anything, just professionals starting conversations says Impact Your Farm Legacy Now’s Cheryl Mitchell…
Impact Your Farm Legacy Now Spokesperson Cheryl Mitchell
A free event on the subject is set for November 16 at the Barn Event Center along Route 49 near Woodworth . There is no solicitation of any type at this event. It is simply informational on how to start a conversation.
(Washington-jm) – What are the latest trends indicated in USDA's October forecasts for poultry production and prices for 2022 and 2023? Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – With U.S. union ranks swelling as everyone from coffee shop baristas to warehouse workers seeks to organize, Illinois voters will decide next month whether to amend their state constitution to guarantee the right to bargain collectively. The fate of the ballot measure is being closely watched in Illinois and beyond, as it will gauge public support for the labor movement that has lost ground for years in conservative-led states. Unions and pro-industry groups say it could signal a new chapter in the struggle over workers' rights. Unions and others who support the proposed amendment view it as a way to ensure that workers will always be able to use their collective clout to secure better pay, hours and working conditions. They also say it would prevent the Legislature, should it undergo a shift to the right, from passing a so-called right-to-work law that would allow workers covered by union contracts to not pay dues. Business groups and conservatives oppose the measure, saying they think it will drive up taxes, give unions too much power, lead to more strikes and prompt companies to leave for more industry-friendly states.
(Undated-jm) – Illinois State Police announced another Scott's Law related crash less than 24 hours after the previous two. A driver hit an ISP squad car a little after midnight on October 19 in Cook County. The trooper was outside of the car at the time of the crash and there were no injuries reported. The driver of the 2023 Land Rover that struck the vehicle was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and issued a citation for a violation of Scott's Law - Improper Passing of a Stationary Emergency Vehicle. The day before, an ISP trooper was struck by a semi-truck outside of Effingham and two construction workers were killed by a passenger car on the Iowa/Illinois border. There have been 21 ISP Move Over Law-related crashes this year and eight troopers have sustained injuries.
(Springfield-jm) – Another round of mortgage assistance will be available starting next week. Eligible homeowners still feeling the effects of the pandemic can get up to 30 thousand dollars says Illinois Housing Development Authority Spokesperson Andrew Field…
Illinois Housing Authority Spokesperson Andrew Field. The money can be used for overdue mortgage payments, condo association fees, property taxes and more. The application period opens November 1st at: illinois housing help dot org.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Park District is warning the community of a scam on Facebook related to an event series it is hosting later this fall. The district said on its Facebook page that there are several events on the platform that all refer to Winter Nights at Prairie Farm. However, only one of these events was published by the district. The authorized Facebook event is listed as being organized by Champaign Park District Special Events and the Champaign Park District. The other fraudulent event lists the Christmas Holiday Season and World Christmas Event 2022 as the organizers. Winter Nights at Prairie Farm will take place from November 25 to January 1.
(Champaign-jm) – Harvesting is underway across the area. That means large, slow moving farm equipment is on the road. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken has some safety tips…
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken.
(Undated-jm) – The Crescent City Committee of Wreaths Across America is now raising money to purchase wreaths to place on all veterans' gravesites in the Crescent City area. This includes four cemeteries, St. Peter's Lutheran, Flesher, Pierce and Wilson. Last year, the committee placed 170 wreaths on gravesites. The local committee is working with Cissna Park American Legion Post 527 on this project. Money raised in Crescent City will remain in Crescent City for local cemeteries. The cost of a wreath is $15 and orders must be placed by Nov. 15. Checks for wreaths should be made out to Cissna Park American Legion. Those wanting to purchase wreaths they can place themselves can pick their wreaths up after 1 p.m. Saturday, December 17, at the Crescent City Community Center. A ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 17, in the Cissna Park and all are welcome to attend.
(Washington-jm) – What are the factors behind USDA's latest forecast adjustment for pork prices for next year? Rod Bain reports…
The 7th annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference will take place today through Sunday in Pontiac.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper tonight from 5-7 pm at their building located at 134 W. State Street. Cost is $10 and includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink.
