(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Monday he has appointed a new replacement Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer. The new appointee is Erin Johnson, who currently works at the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and previously worked for former governor Bruce Rauner. The position works in the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to direct state agencies on regulating and taxing Illinois’ cannabis industry, as well as make sure the state is reaching its social equity goals.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new report reveals a record number of complaints were received by the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General in the past year. The agency released its fiscal year annual report showing “notable record highs,” including the number of received and reviewed complaints and the number of revolving door determinations issued. The agency has jurisdiction over 170,000 state employees, appointees and officials in state government.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Bobcat hunting season is underway in Illinois. It’s a popular but complicated season, with a limited number of permits available, some areas of the state off limits and harvest restricted to one bobcat. The good news says Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Chief Mike Wefer, is that many hunters are successful…

 

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Chief Mike Wefer. The bobcat hunting season runs through February 15th but is not allowed during this weekend’s firearm deer season.

(Urbana-jm) – A University of Illinois student was arrested after shooting paintballs at people. The University of Illinois Police says Darriontez  McMillion, 19, of Champaign, was arrested Sunday near Silver and Vawter streets, Urbana, for aggravated battery and on a city of Champaign warrant for failure to appear in court. Officials say a U of I employee and her son reported that they had been struck by paintballs shot from a passing vehicle on Sixth and Healey streets on Saturday.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Firefighters in Champaign were called to an apartment building on Monday after a fire started inside one of the units. The fire happened at 805 South Mattis Avenue, a six-unit building that fire department officials said was vacant at the time. A passerby reported the fire around 1:15 p.m. and firefighters arrived shortly after to find light smoke coming from a third-floor apartment.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  Today is the Can-Do-It Drive at the Community Service Center in Rantoul. The local civic group is asking for canned food or household good donations at the center located at 520 East Wabash in the village. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford talks about the items on the list…

 

 

Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford

The center is open from 8-30am to 4-30pm on Tuesday

 

(Champaign-jm) – A 16-year-old has been denied probation after being accused of bringing a gun to Centennial High School last month. He appeared in court, where the public defender asked if he could be released for having good behavior in the detention center and no prior incidents with police. The judge denied the request, because he is a minor accused of having a gun in his book bag on school grounds.

 

(Undated-jm) – One state-wide organization is planning to go “ham” for Giving Tuesday this holiday season. In a release, the Illinois Pork Producers Association announced they will be taking part in the #GiveaHam challenge by participating in “Hams for Heroes”, an original campaign created by the Illinois Pork Producers Association to supply military families in need with holiday hams. The group will be challenging the Illinois Department of Agriculture to help them donate hams.

 

 

(Washington-jm) – If you are a farmer, you should soon be seeing in your mailbox some information about the upcoming Census of Agriculture. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Washington-jm) – The U.S. Small Business Administration has begun releasing more financial aid to restaurants nationwide. The money will come from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which will use its remaining $83 million of COVID-19 relief money to help small restaurants with under 20 locations. Illinois restaurants that are selected to receive funding will receive the funds within a couple of days, and the money must be spent by the end of the program in March 2023.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Farmers borrow short term money up front every year to pay for inputs and operating expenses. At harvest time when they sell their crops, they pay back their operating notes. For the first time in 20 years, fast-rising interest rates have doubled the cost of short term operating notes, an impact a lot of farmers have never seen before. Costs in 2022 were higher than in 2021. In 2023, farmers can expect significantly higher price tags for just about everything. The Illinois Farm Business Farm Management recommends running a tighter pencil, paying down debt where it makes sense and taking a hard look at cash flow. They also advise farmers to look carefully at their cash flow and discuss purchases with trusted advisers.

 

(Springfield-jm) – It’s been 20 years since the first Amber Alert was issued in Illinois. Amber Alerts are broadcast when a child is missing or has been kidnapped and is in imminent danger. State Amber Alert Coordinator Craig Burge says they have been an effective law enforcement tool…

 

 

State Amber Alert Coordinator Craig Burge. Since the Amber Alert system started being used in Illinois, 118 alerts have been issued. 67 kids were recovered as a direct result and another 22 were found indirectly.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department is searching for a person of interest in connection to a stolen credit card that was used to purchase almost $9,000 in gift cards. The police department shared an image of the suspect on their Facebook page. They are asking anyone who can identify this person or has any information about the incident to contact them at 217-384-2320.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a retail theft. Police say at 2:30 p.m. on November 18, they were dispatched to Home Depot, located at 820 Bloomington Road in Champaign. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male had attempted to steal over $1,400 worth of tools and fixtures but was confronted at the door by loss prevention. The male then fled the area on foot.

 

(Paxton–jc) With Black Friday and Small Market Saturday complete for the holiday shopping season, one local chamber is setting their sights on a Friday Night Shopping event. The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce has a 3 hour shopping event from 5pm to 8pm on Friday to kick off the annual 4 day holiday bag sale in the city. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack says 15 businesses will have special sales and more on Friday…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack

 

(Undated-jm) – The average gasoline prices in Illinois have fallen 19 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.78 per gallon according to GasBuddy. Prices in Illinois are 35.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 26.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. Gas Buddy says the national average could fall below $3 a gallon by Christmas. 

 

(Fisher-jm) – A Fisher man has been sentenced to 6 years in prison for residential burglary. Michel Hoogstraat received the sentence in Champaign County court. Hoogstraat pleaded guilty in October to a single count of residential burglary after admitting he entered a home in Fisher back in June and taking items. Deputies found Hoogstraat holding a crate containing food, a fire extinguisher, a glass pitcher and dog treats. A search of his home turned up several stolen firearms, cleaning supplies, alcohol, a flatscreen TV and a safe containing the remains of the owner's grandfather. In exchange for his guilty plea, other residential burglary and possession of stolen firearms charges were dismissed.