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A resolution to the legal challenge to a law eliminating cash bail in Illinois is months away

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says progress is being made in finalizing legislation banning assault weapons in Illinois. The Governor says he believes they will get the bill passed, after some fine tuning…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Opponents say they are not willing to negotiate and that the bill violates the second amendment. We will hear more from the governor on this topic on later newscasts today

 

(Springfield-jm) – A resolution to the legal challenge to a law eliminating cash bail in Illinois is months away. Oral arguments will take place before the Illinois Supreme Court in March. The Pretrial Fairness Act that abolishes cash bail was set to go into effect on New Year’s Day, but the state’s highest court suspended implementation on New Year’s Eve. Dozens of state’s attorneys argued the measure violates the Illinois Constitution, and a Kankakee County judge agreed last month.

 

(Springfield-jm) – There’s a renewed push to explore offshore wind energy in Illinois. Senator Robert Peters of Chicago is sponsoring legislation with the goal of setting up wind ports in Lake Michigan. The proposed pilot project is called “Rust Belt to Green Belt” and would be a huge boost to the city, says Peters…

 

 

State Senator Robert Peters of Chicago. The bill directs the state to seek federal funding to build offshore wind ports near the southeast side of Chicago. Peters says it needs to be passed quickly so Illinois doesn’t miss out on the opportunity.

 

(Decatur-jm) – A central Illinois school district is recommending masks be worn inside all of their facilities. On their Facebook page, the Decatur Public School District said that masks are “highly recommended” for all students, staff, parents, volunteers and visitors when inside all DPS facilities. They cited the fact that Macon County is at a high risk transmission level for COVID-19.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –   43 teams and over 400 kids. Those are two numbers for the Paxton Park District 20-23 youth basketball program. Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans says the teams come from Gibson City to Paxton to Cissna Park and the number of kids participating is amazing…

 

 

Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans. Youth basketball starts on January 21st.

 

(Savoy-jm) – The Village of Savoy is getting closer to hiring a full-time fire chief. It’s something that’s been in the works for about a year. They’ve always had volunteers, but never someone on a full-time salary. Their current chief and the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association both recommended creating the position. They've interviewed 15 people and are down to their final two. They hope to have the final person hired and in place by March 1.

 

(Paxton–jc) After months of research and getting input from city police, city alderman to business leaders, officials with the city of Paxton are ready to hear more about license plate readers. The city council meets on Tuesday night and the subject is expected to be a topic. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the program, if implemented, would be used for specific crimes…

 


Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. The council meets Tuesday night at 7 on the second floor of city hall.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus elected state Representative Carol Ammons, of Urbana, to become the next Joint Chairwoman. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus was founded in 1968. Since that time, 157 African-American legislators have served. She will be inaugurated on January 11 at 4 p.m. at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre hotel.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Savoy man is facing drug and weapon charges. Muhammed Savage is charged with possession of meth and aggravated unlawful use of weapons for having a gun but no FOID card. A Champaign officer spotted Savage traveling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop. Savage had an outstanding warrant. A search came up with 24 grams of meth and over $8,000 in cash in his shoes. A loaded handgun was found in his car. A search of his hotel room found 8 hydrocodone pills, a bag of psychedelic mushrooms and two loaded handgun magazines.

(Springfield-jm) – Revamped assault weapon ban legislation has emerged in Springfield. This new version bans the sale of assault weapons, rapid fire devices and magazines with more than 12 rounds, says House Speaker Chris Welch. Current owners will be able to keep their firearms…

 

 

House Speaker Chris Welch. Unlike the previous version, this bill does not raise the age for a FOID card to 21. It was approved by a House committee and now heads to the House floor for a vote.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new bill would protect out-of-state people seeking healthcare in Illinois from legal troubles is passing through the Illinois legislature. Democratic leaders formed a legislative working group after the Supreme Court ruled that abortion rights should be left up to the states. If passed, the bill would protect anyone, regardless of gender identity from out of state seeking abortions in Illinois would not have to report the care they received back in their home state. Along with abortion, the bill offers protections for gender-affirming care and assisted reproduction, like artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing a new milestone in Illinois’ Organ and Tissue Donor Program. Seven and a half million people have now signed up for the organ registry, offering to give the gift of life when they pass. Secretary White says even more are needed…

 

 

Secretary of State Jesse White. White says about 300 people in Illinois die each year waiting for a transplant. You can sign up to be a donor online at: life goes on dot com.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department released on Thursday its review of 2022, and chief among their findings was that gun violence decreased by 50% between 2021 and 2022. Department officials said reducing gun violence was one of three key priorities the department set for 2022. Their efforts succeeded in lowering the number of shooting incidents from 259 to 129. Homicides were also reduced from 17 to nine. Champaign Police added that an arrest was made in all but one of those 2022 homicide investigations.

 

(Savoy-jm) – The University of Illinois’ Willard Airport is set to see some changes in the next few years, with some of those changes already in place or coming very soon. American Airlines’ regional affiliate Envoy will start flying to Dallas-Fort Worth with 76-seat planes, an upgrade from the 50-seat planes previously used on that route. In addition, the new planes will include 12 first class seats; it’s the first time American Airlines has offered a first class product in Champaign-Urbana. In addition to upgrading current service routes, officials at Willard are looking to expand their service to new destinations. The master plan would expand and modernize the existing facility to meet future travel demands and improve passenger experience, that includes an additional baggage claim carousel and renovated restrooms. In addition, the terminal’s TSA facilities would be relocated and expanded to be brought up to standard; the current building is pre-9/11 and unable to accommodate the enhanced security requirements and space standards put in place in 2001 and 2002. This includes a larger passenger queue line and expanded baggage screening areas. In addition to the terminal upgrades, the master plan will also bring the airport up to FAA taxiway design standards to improve airfield safety, new aircraft reuse and firefighting facilities and ensure cooperation between the airport and local communities regarding use of land both on and adjacent to airport property.

 

(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man is facing charges after he was accused of peeping in windows at a nursing home. Joshua Payne is accused of looking into a window at University Rehabilitation Center and exposing himself. Payne has several prior convictions for peeping in windows. He was freed on his own recognizance and is due back in court February 28th.

 

(Mahomet-jm) – A woman was arrested after a "brief chase" with police. The Champaign County Sheriff's says a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Zaire Drumgoole for an Illinois Vehicle Code violation observed at Prairie View Road and Interstate 74. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle made an illegal u-turn and traveled away from the deputy at a high rate of speed. Authorities say the vehicle then got on I-74 westbound and increased their speed. The Deputy then terminated the pursuit of the vehicle. The Mahomet Police Department saw the vehicle exit I-74 and then get onto Route 47. Mahomet Officers say they saw the vehicle enter a subdivision, shut the vehicle lights off, and park in a driveway of a residence. The Mahomet Police Department and Champaign County Sheriff's Office made contact with Drumgoole and took her into custody.

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