(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is launching a new COVID-19 rapid response team. The “Stat-Team,” or Support, Treatment and Access Team will be deployed when needed to help out in sudden trouble spots, says Public Health Spokesperson Mike Claffey…
State Public Health Spokesperson Mike Claffey. 15 counties are now at an elevated risk for transmission of the virus, up from 5 last week. Among those, Richland in southern Illinois, is considered at high risk.
(Undated-jm) – Ameren Illinois customers could be seeing an increase in what they pay for electricity and gas. Ameren has announced they have filed plans for gas and electric increases. In 2024, customers could start to see a rise in their bills. The Illinois Commerce Commission will review the requests for an over $160 million gas rate hike over a year and a four-year over $435 million electric increase. For Ameren customers, that means your electric bill could go up $6.27 per month, and for natural gas, up $6.68 per month. Ameren says with requirements to transition to be 100 % carbon-free with energy sources by 2050, new improvements need to be made to its grid to ensure reliability. Those improvements include adapting to climate change and severe weather and supply and demand.
(Chicago-jm) – The Chicago Auto Show is now underway. It’s the nation’s largest auto show, and is getting back to pre-pandemic size at McCormick Place in Chicago. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton was on hand to open the event, recalling how she used to visit as a child…
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. The event is open through Monday the 20th. More details are online at: chicago auto show dot com.
(Chicago-jm) – There will be free Chicago museum days in February. Adler Planetarium is free on Wednesdays for Illinois residents after 4pm. The Art Institute of Chicago is free for Illinois residents on Mondays, Thursday and Fridays through March 24th. The Field Museum is free for Illinois residents on February 14, 15, 20, 21, 28. The museum of Science and Industry is free for Illinois residents on February 13, 14, 16, 21. The Shedd Aquarium is free for Illinois residents on February 14, 15, 16 21 22, 23, 28
(Gilman-jm) – The people of Gilman came together last week to wish a happy birthday to a special member of their community. Max Howard, a World War II veteran living in town, turned 100 years old on Thursday. The community wanted to show their support for all that he’s done for the country and for the Iroquois County community. So they threw Howard a parade.
(Washington-jm) – Drought appears to have impacted the corn crop in Argentina as reflected in USDA's latest world supply and demand estimate. Rod Bain reports…
(Champaign-jm) – An Urbana man will spend 45 years in prison for a string of armed robberies. Carey Pettigrew robbed two gas stations and a liquor store in September of 2021. During one of the gas station robberies, Pettigrew shot an employee. In exchange for his guilty plea, charges related to a robbery of one of the gas stations was dismissed.
(Springfield-jm) – Need help filing your taxes? The Illinois Department of Revenue is offering some free resources. There are a number of programs across the state offering free tax help, says Department of Revenue Spokesperson Maura Kownacki (kuh-nacky). Here’s a few…
Illinois Department of Revenue Spokesperson Maura Kownacki. To search for free tax assistance in your area, visit the website: tax dot illinois dot gov.
(Undated-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State offices are closed today for Lincoln’s Birthday. Other state offices and courthouses are closed today. George Washington’s birthday is a federally recognized holiday and is commonly referred to as “President’s Day” to honor Lincoln’s birthday as well. That is a federally observed holiday on February 20th. Banks will be closed and no mail will be delivered that day.
(Chicago-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulis says that for the first time, visitors can get the Real ID at the Chicago Auto Show. While you’re checking out all the fancy cars, you can also take care of business, says Secretary Giannoulias…
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulis. Check the website: real id dot il sos dot gov for a list of documents you will need to bring. The public can also renew a temporary visitor driver’s license or register to be an organ donor. The Chicago Auto Show runs through Monday, February 20th.
(Champaign-jm) – Part of a Champaign bike trail is currently closed. The Champaign Park District has shut down the Greenbelt Bikeway Trail in areas located around I-72. Officials say because of the debris from the interstate bridge in that area. The district does not want anyone to enter the barricaded areas. The park district said the trail will be closed until further notice.
(Washington-jm) – Congresswoman Mary Miller, who represents the 15th district of Illinois, introduced her first bill known as the “Saving American Farms from Adversaries Act' earlier this month. The bill would "prohibit foreigners from purchasing public or private land in the U.S. for five years." In a press release from Miller's office, she states that “our adversaries continue to rob our country of wealth and prosperity..." and that "...America is on a dangerous path of losing our self-sufficiency in farming." According to Miller's bill, foreign companies and individuals have purchased over 850,000 acres of agricultural land in Illinois.
(Washington-jm) – USDA’s February global wheat forecast reveals record production for two of the world’s largest wheat growing countries. Rod Bain reports…
(Watseka-jm) – Harbor House is opening an emergency shelter in Iroquois County. The Iroquois County shelter is in addition to one already operating in Kankakee County. The emergency shelters are operated with confidentiality, making sure the safety of all concerned are in place. A 24-hour Hotline is always available at 815-932-5800.
