(Springfield-jm) – After months of being criticized by Republicans and law enforcement officials on provisions in the criminal justice reform package SAFE-T Act, Democrats are saying don’t expect a major overhaul of the bill. The measure affects several aspects of law enforcement in Illinois, and also ends cash bail on January 1. House Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth told the Sun-Times that lawmakers will be clarifying the original language during the fall veto session.
(Springfield-jm) – Inflation continues to be a burden on Illinois families and a major contributor to rising costs are energy prices. The Citizens Utility Board reports natural gas prices have nearly tripled in the past two years, and gas futures recently hit a 14-year high. A 2013 law passed by the Illinois General Assembly allows major gas utilities to add a Qualified Infrastructure Plant, or QIP, fee to bills. It covers certain costs associated with replacing natural gas pipes and other work on the utilities’ gas delivery system. Under the law, the surcharge is slated to sunset on December 31, 2023. According to Illinois Public Interest Research Group, another dark cloud on the horizon is that gas utilities have not put as much in storage as in typical years. Utilities in the Midwest have 8% less gas in storage than they have on average over the past five years. Utilities usually purchase gas for storage when prices dip in the summer. Weather cools down in autumn, when they take out of storage in winter months when prices are the highest. If Illinois experiences a colder than normal winter, prices most likely will spike.
(Undated-jm) – Some area communities are receiving money from the state. WPXN’s Jason Madden has a look at communities in Champaign County receiving funding…
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a single vehicle accident Saturday. Crews were called to the single vehicle rollover accident on Route 9 about 3 miles east of Paxton. No injuries were reported.
(Buckley–jc) Veterans Day is a special day set aside to honor those who have served or are serving our great country. Buckley American Legion Spokesperson Wayne Wagner says they are participating in Wreaths Across America..
Buckley American Legion Spokesperson Wayne Wagner of Buckley
(Ford County-jm) – Ford County Sheriff’s Office has released their October activity report. During the month, deputies responded to 12 traffic accidents and issued 18 citations for speeding, 2 each for expired registration, failure to reduce speed, disregard of a stop sign and DIU and 1 each for driving on a revoked license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Deputies also handled 8 reports of theft, 6 suspicious vehicles, 3 domestic issues, 2 each of burglary, criminal damage to property, fraud and harassment and 1 each of vandalism, abuse and a report of a stolen vehicle.
(Washington-jm) – The nominations are in, and now it is time for eligible producers to vote on who will represent them on USDA Farm Service Agency County Committees. Rod Bain reports…
(Undated-jm) – As the economy teeters on the edge of a possible recession, there is optimism about the upcoming holiday spending season. The National Retail Federation forecast calls for holiday retail sales during November and December to grow between 6% and 8% over last year to between $942.6 billion and $960.4 billion. Last year’s holiday sales grew more than 13% over 2020, shattering previous records. The NRF reports holiday retail sales have averaged an increase of 4.9% over the past 10 years, with pandemic spending in recent years accounting for considerable gains. NRF expects that online and other non-store sales, which are included in the total, to increase between 10% and 12% to about $265 billion. That figure is up from $238.9 billion last year, which saw incredible growth in digital channels as consumers turned to online shopping to meet their holiday needs during the pandemic.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, led by a bipartisan coalition of 21 attorneys general, has filed an Amicus brief against a McDonald's no-poach policy. The policy prohibits current employees from moving locations within the same restaurant chain. It also prohibits other McDonald's locations from hiring someone who has worked at any other franchise within the last six months. In 2017, all McDonald's franchisees were required to sign this agreement.
(Paxton-jm) – The City of Paxton is working on a Community Mapping Program. Paxton City Council Alderman Rob Pacey talks about the program and what they are hoping to accomplish…
Paxton City Council Alderman Rob Pacey.
(Champaign-jm) – Joe DeLuce, founder of the Parade of Lights and Executive Director of Champaign Park District, will lead this year's Champaign Parade of Lights. The parade of lights started in 2001. The parade will take place in Downtown Champaign at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 26. The theme this year is the "Island of Misfit Toys."
(Pesotum-jm) – District 10 Illinois State Police will be conducting distracted driving enforcement patrols ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning to the alley in the 500-block of N. Elm Street for a report of a shooting with injury. As officers arrived on-scene, they located a 23-year-old Champaign man with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg. Police Officers and personnel from the Champaign Fire Department immediately rendered medical aid until he could be transported by ambulance to an area hospital. The initial investigation indicates that the man was walking in the alley when a vehicle approached him and opened fire before driving away. In addition to the injured person, a vehicle was damaged in this shooting incident. Police believed it to be a targeted incident.
(Washington-jm) – Food price inflation is still happening, but it is cooling off a bit. Gary Crawford reports…
