(Undated-jm) – Illinois is going to get a double dose of winter weather this week. A powerful winter storm is expected to drop up to a foot of snow in some areas of the state on Thursday and Friday. In its wake is a polar plunge that could send wind chills down to 20 degrees below zero by Saturday morning. Bitterly cold temperatures are expected for the holiday weekend. The arctic air won’t last long. A warming trend is forecasted for the following weekend with highs in the 50s and 60s around the state.

 

(Kankakee County-jm) – Opening arguments are set to begin today in an Illinois courthouse over a lawsuit that calls the criminal justice package known as the SAFE-T Act unconstitutional.  Dozens of state’s attorneys and law enforcement officials around Illinois filed lawsuits, which were combined and will be heard in Kankakee County. The lawsuit revolves around whether the law aligns with the Illinois Constitution, both in its content and how it was passed by lawmakers. The abolishment of cash bail January 1 has been a major sticking point in the SAFE-T Act. Those taking part in the lawsuit have claimed in their briefs that the state constitution interprets bail to include a monetary amount that cannot be abolished altogether without running afoul of the constitution. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a bill that made changes to the legislation, including verbiage which widens the definition by which a criminal defendant could be kept in jail pretrial because they’re deemed to be dangerous.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The “Support Through Loss” Act takes effect January 1st, expanding bereavement leave rights for Illinois workers. Senator Melinda Bush of Grayslake sponsored the legislation which ensures those who have suffered a miscarriage, failed adoption or fertility treatment and similar events get time off to grieve…

 

 

State Senator Melinda Bush. The law allows for up to 10 workdays of unpaid leave. It also requires employers to provide leave after the loss of a family member to spouses, domestic partners, siblings, step-parents and grandparents.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A new University of Illinois initiative is turning food from its dining halls into energy. University Housing is partnering with the Sanitation Protection District to take nearly 20,000 pounds of leftover food scraps every week. The food is then turned into fertilizer and other energy sources.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Salvation Army of Champaign County has raised a total of $106,710 at local kettles, meeting 70% of their 2022 red kettle goal this season as of Monday. The Salvation Army of Champaign County said they served more than 65,000 individuals last year, providing critical services including food, shelter, help with utilities, rent, homeless aid, poverty-reduction programs, youth and senior services, employment assistance, and much more.

 

(Washington-jm) – What are some of the trends associated with our nation's farms and ranches per the latest edition of an annual USDA report? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for assistance from the public in solving an attempted theft that resulted in criminal damage. Officials said that during the overnight hours of November 21, someone tried to steal two classic cars from Two Lane Motors in Mahomet. Though the suspect(s) were not successful in stealing the cars, they did cause extensive damage to the cars during the attempt.

 

(Undated-jm) – Travelers in Central Illinois and across the region can expect to face an impactful winter storm later this week. This will bring headaches to those traveling before Christmas. A large storm system approaches the Midwest and Great Lakes starting Wednesday with impacts lasting into the weekend. Those with flights should plan ahead and be aware of changes with airlines. Impacts will not be limited to just snow, but will be worsened by the extreme cold and strong winds coming our way. It will only take a few inches of snow to cause problems. Strong winds will cause blowing and drifting of snow through the weekend, and Thursday’s mild start will allow for a “Flash Freeze”, where a sudden and drastic drop in temperatures causes pavement moisture to freeze under the incoming snow.

 

(Springfield-jm) – One of the sponsors of an Illinois bill to ban certain semi-automatic guns and magazines of more than 10 rounds is listening to both sides of the argument. Illinois state lawmakers will again hold a hearing on a bill to ban certain semi-automatic guns and magazines with more than 10 rounds during a hearing scheduled for this morning. Others have said law-abiding gun owners shouldn’t be punished for the actions of “criminals and psychopaths.” At today’s hearing for House Bill 5855, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly is expected to testify. The proposal would require anyone in possession of any of around 100 firearms to register them with Illinois State Police within 300 days of the bill’s enactment. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Research out of the University of Illinois looks at the high suicide rate among farmers. Recent data from the CDC shows that farmers are twice as likely to take their lives as those working in other professions. U of I Agricultural and Biological Engineering Professor Josie Rudolphi says there are so many uncertainties in the farming industry that cause extra stress…

 

 

U of I Agricultural and Biological Engineering Professor Josie Rudolphi. Another problem is lack of access to mental health care and farmers not seeking help. Rudolphi says they found that older farmers are at higher risk of suicide. She says they want to continue their research to identify other risk factors.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A new marijuana dispensary is coming to Champaign. Building permits were issued to Cloud 9 Cannabis for a dispensary on Town Center Boulevard. It will be the fourth dispensary in Champaign-Urbana.

 

(Danville-jm) – A driver was involved in a deadly crash after speeding through the streets of Danville in a stolen car on Monday.  Danville Police report that an officer was traveling eastbound on Main Street when he observed a black colored Mercedes sedan at approximately 12:25 a.m. A chase ensued. The officer observed the Mercedes leave the roadway, and struck a tree. The 24 year old driver was extricated from the car and declared deceased on scene. During the follow-up investigation, Danville Police learned the Mercedes sedan had been reported stolen from Tilton.

 

(Washington-jm) – What's behind the slowdown in food price inflation? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Danville-jm) – The second of four individuals has been sentenced for the murders of two teens in Vermilion County. Camarion Halthon, 19 of Danville, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murders, of Wyatt Bailey and Clayvonte Sloan. Attorney General Kwame Raoul says Halthon was part of the group committing a robbery during a drug sale. Bailey was shot in both legs and the chest, and Sloan was shot in the lower abdomen. Both men died from their injuries. On July 26, a jury found Dustin Cooper, 18, of Danville, guilty of the first-degree murders of Bailey and Sloan and  sentenced to 40 years in prison.