(Rantoul-jm) – The Champaign County Coroner has released the name of the male in a shooting involving a Rantoul Police officer. Coroner Duane Northrup identified the person as 21 year old Azaan Lee of Champaign, formerly of Chicago. Northrup says Lee died from a gunshot wound to the left leg that perforated the left femoral artery. Rantoul Police say they were investigating a stolen vehicle when an incident occurred and shots were fired. Illinois State Police are leading the investigation.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The 106th District has a new representative. Jason Bunting of Emington was selected to replace Tom Bennett, who moved to fill the vacancy in the 53rd District of the state Senate. Bunting took a moment to thank his colleagues for welcoming him into the 103rd session of the Illinois General Assembly and talked about being a little overwhelmed…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Springfield-jm) – With local Illinois school and library board races coming in April, Governor J.B. Pritzker is disparaging of some groups that have recruited candidates for local offices. At an unrelated event, Pritzker was asked about his criticism of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ position on certain school curriculum. Pritzker said it’s important for him to telegraph Illinois’ values to the rest of the country. He also said Illinois voters should know there are “racist” and “anti-LGBTQ” groups out there recruiting for school board or library district races. Local school and library board races across the state culminate on election day April 4.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Police is expanding crisis intervention training for all officers. Law enforcement is often the first to respond to someone in a mental health emergency, so it’s important they know what to do, says State Police Master Sergeant Joey Watson…

 

 

Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Joey Watson. Watson says the 40 hour crisis intervention team training includes the signs of mental illness, resources available, role playing exercises and de-escalation techniques.

 

(Mahomet-jm) – The Village of Mahomet plans to build a new 6-court tennis facility at Middletown Park for local tennis players to enjoy, while also becoming the new home for the Mahomet-Seymour High School tennis teams. The Village of Mahomet Parks and Recreation said the village received sealed bids on January 24 for the construction of the new facility. Bids for the project were rejected in two previous attempts because of exceedingly high bid results, likely due to inflation and supply chain issues. However, the latest round of bid results was significantly lower than any previous bid results. The project’s construction moves forward with an Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Grant, totaling $725,000 in funds.

 

(Ford County-jm) – The execution of an arrest warrant near Gibson City over the weekend resulted in the discovery and detonation of several explosive and incendiary devices. Deputies were sent to the property of James Watterson, 34, on Saturday to arrest him on a charge of aggravated assault, accusing Watterson of threatening law enforcement officers, their families and others on Thursday. After Watterson was arrested, law enforcement conducted a search of Watterson’s property authorized by a judge in connection to the assault case. That search turned up a gun and “numerous rounds of ammunition,” along with “suspicious” devices. The University of Illinois Police Bomb Squad detonated them on site.

 

(Roberts-jm) – Living Word Church in Roberts is hosting a craft and vendor fair this Saturday. Spokesperson Melanie Bauer talks about the event…

 

 

Living Word Church Craft and Vendor Fair Spokesperson Melanie Bauer. Over 30 vendors are signed up.

 

(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for 2 cases, the first, sexual assault and the second possessing a gun without a FOID card. Terrain Minniweather pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sexual assault and possessing a handgun without a FOID card. In exchange for his guilty pleas, a 3rd case against Minniweather was dropped.

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA's top economist says the farm sector will see farm income falling this year, but the sector will emerge in "pretty good" shape. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Recent court cases across the country challenging gun regulations could be an issue for conversation at the Illinois statehouse as the state faces a bevy of lawsuits over its gun and magazine ban. After last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a New York case challenging the state’s gun laws, a new precedent was set. One recent federal case decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit had a panel find the prohibition of someone possessing a firearm because they’re the subject of a civil domestic violence order, not a criminal conviction, is unconstitutional. The decision could have impacts on states with so-called “red flag laws” like Illinois. Another case out of Oklahoma had a U.S. District Court judge rule a federal law prohibiting marijuana users from owning firearms is unconstitutional.

 

(Springfield-jm) – New legislation creates a state child tax credit. The credit would take the place of the federal version that expired last year, providing 700 dollars per child under the age of 17. Senator Mike Simmons of Chicago says it’s a fundamental way to help struggling families…

 

 

State Senator Mike Simmons of Chicago. Under the bill, parents earning less than 75 thousand dollars jointly would be eligible for the credit. Single filers must make less than 50 thousand dollars a year.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Another University of Illinois student is out of some money after U of I Police officials said he was the latest victim of sexual extortion on campus. Officials reported that the scam happened on Sunday when an unknown person contacted the student through social media and encouraged him to send intimate photos of himself. After the photos were sent, the scammer threatened to send the photos to the victim’s social media contacts unless he paid $500. The victim complied with the demand. This is the seventh reported case of students being targeted in this way since mid-January.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker has announced the state’s COVID emergency will end in May. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about what it means…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City has a new wastewater superintendent. The city hired Bradley Duncan for the position. Duncan also serves as wastewater superintendent for Fairbury and Forrest.

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA is projecting farm sector profits this year to drop from last year's record. Gary Crawford reports…