(Washington-jm) – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is fully vaccinated and double boosted, is working remotely after testing positive for COVID-19. The junior Illinois senator said she has mild symptoms and will work in isolation through the end of the week.
(Springfield-jm) – Nearly two thousand new U-S Citizens were sworn in during a ceremony in Chicago Wednesday. The 1,984 candidates represent 120 countries around the world, swearing their oath to America at the naturalization event at the Wintrust Arena. Governor J-B Pritzker offered remarks…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor spoke of his own family history and the immigration of his great-great grandfather Nicholas Pritzker to Chicago, fleeing anti-semitic violence at the age of 9.
(Paxton-jm) – Three Ford County officials have officially been sworn in for their new term. Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick and County Treasurer Krisha Whitcomb were sworn in for new 4 year terms. Also sworn in is new sheriff Chad Johnson. He replaces Mark Doran who retired.
(Urbana-jm) – The Champaign Corner has released new information about the death of the Urbana Middle School student. Lucas Cristobal, 12, was pronounced dead at 1:26 p.m. in the Carle Hospital Emergency Department. Preliminary results from an autopsy performed Wednesday, at the Champaign County Regional Autopsy Facility, indicate he died from a previously undiagnosed medical condition.
(Gibson City–jc) With the announced retirement of 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington, the seat for the local Illinois State Senate position needs to be filled. One local representative has thrown his hat into the ring. He is 106th district State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City. WPXN News talked with Bennett on Wednesday. Bennett says he has the experience to represent the people of the 53rd Senate district…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City. The decision for the appointed position will be made by the Republican County Chairman and the timetable is sometime soon.
(Champaign-jm) – After months of negotiating, the Champaign Township purchased C-U at Home's building at 70 E Washington Street. The new Strides Shelter will act as a low-barrier shelter for those in need. CU at Home is going to continue to rent a small piece of this building for their women's shelter as well. The Strides Shelter is set to open December 12th. The Strides Shelter will be open 24/7 and every day of the year.
(Kankakee-jm) – Work and full closures of I-57 in Kankakee scheduled for overnight tonight have been canceled until further notice. Contractors involved were forced to cancel and plan to reschedule at a future date. The Illinois Department of Transportation work is to accommodate work on the north half of the Waldron Road/Maple Street bridge.
(Washington-jm) – Latest trade numbers show U.S. agricultural exports have started the new fiscal year on a pretty strong note. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton –jc) – Paxton City leaders continue to learn more about license plate readers and the Flock company that would provide the equipment and expertise with the readers. The village of Rantoul has put the license plate readers in operation and have solved several crimes with the technology. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says council members are looking to discuss the program when they meet next week…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Springfield-jm) – There are some changes coming to your child’s education starting next year. Starting January 1, middle and high school students will receive one excused absence per year to attend a civic event sponsored by a governmental entity or a nonprofit organization that is open to the public. ISBE will also require districts to develop a plan to expand access to accelerated placement programs. Officials said that starting next school year, districts must automatically enroll high school students who meet or exceed standards into the next level course unless parents opt their students out.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is celebrating the opening of the first social equity marijuana dispensary. The state has awarded 192 conditional adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses as part of the social equity program, and three of those are now fully licensed. First to open was Ivy Hall in Chicago. Governor J-B Pritzker says the state is committed to ensuring minorities have a place in the thriving industry…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Officials say they hope to see the rest of the social equity applicants that have received a conditional license become fully licensed in the coming months.
(Pontiac-jm) – Correctional officers in Pontiac are hitting the picket line to protest what they said is a severe understaffing and, as a consequence, reduced safety. This protest comes just weeks after a pair of officers working in the Pontiac Correctional Center were attacked by an inmate armed with an improvised metal shank. One of the officers was stabbed in the neck and almost died. Pontiac Correctional Center is authorized to have 1,140 employees when fully staffed, but there are currently just 600 in paid status.
(Urbana-jm) – Carle Foundation Hospital saw a record number of patients last week as respiratory illnesses spread. From November 27 to December 3, Carle says they saw the highest number of patients ever. In one day, they saw 353 people in the emergency department. They’re averaging about 300 people daily, compared to the average of 250.
(Rantoul–jc) – It’s time to shop local. That is the word from members of the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director of the Rantoul Chamber, Amanda Vickery says to shop in town or the next town over to support local merchants this holiday season and beyond…
Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Vickery
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign and Urbana Fire Departments responded to a fire inside a tank undergoing removal at the Abbott Power Plant on the U of I campus, Wednesday morning. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire contained to the tank.
(Paxton-jm) – The Ford County Board re-organized this week re-electing Debbie Smith as Chairman. The 11-member Board favored Smith for the leadership post. The membership also retained Cindy Ihrke as Vice-Chairman. Two newcomers make-up the 12-person Board, including Carson Vaughn of Paxton of District 1 and Sarah Mussman of Gibson City of District 3.
(Washington-jm) – South America will take center stage for this week's new USDA crop supply and demand forecasts. Gary Crawford reports…
