(Springfield-jm) – Stomach flu cases are on the rise in Illinois, some severe enough to send people to the hospital. While most norovirus cases typically occur between November and April in a given year, cases in the Midwest have spiked dramatically since mid-January. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports norovirus, often referred to as the stomach flu, is not related to influenza but is very contagious.
(Springfield-jm) – The University of Illinois Flash Index, a measure of the Illinois economy, increased to 103.4 from 103.1 in January, fueled by strong state revenues. Any figure over 100 is considered growth. According to Professor Fred Giertz, the Illinois economy is still growing moderately after the surge of the recovery from the COVID-19 recession. Giertz said the Illinois and national economies still provide no clear signals of whether a soft landing or modest recession is in store later this year.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association is asking the legislature for a number of changes to help the industry continue to recover from the pandemic. One of the bills the group is pushing protects hotel workers from verbally abusive guests says Association President Mike Jacobson…
Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association President Mike Jacobson. Jacobson says they also want to level the playing field by requiring short-term rental companies to collect hotel taxes and for the state to establish a fund for attracting conventions to Illinois.
(Thomasboro-jm) – Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup has released the identity of the man killed on Route 45 Monday afternoon. Brian Schue, 29, of Rantoul, was struck by a pickup truck while changing a tire, according to the Illinois State Police. Schue was pronounced dead around 6pm on March 6 at a hospital in Urbana. A preliminary autopsy indicated that he died from blunt force injuries related to the incident. The incident is under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Champaign County Coroner's Office.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man will spend the next eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Bobby Carter, was sentenced after entering a guilty plea. He was given credit for 275 days already served in custody.
(Paxton–jc) – With snow this past weekend, a warm day on Monday and some snow predicted later this week, city roads are taking a beating. City alleys in Paxton are also in need of repair. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says that subject is a concern for city workers…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Champaign-jm) – Plans for a new gas station in Champaign are moving forward. QuikTrip is building a new station on North Neil Street near I-74. This will be QuikTrip’s 5th store in Illinois.
(Washington-jm) – New consumer polls are showing increasing concerns about rising food prices. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois state lawmakers are getting a better idea of what the state's revenue will look like over the next year. The Illinois Department of Revenue and Governor's Office of Management and Budget said they are optimistic about the economic forecast. Financial experts expect to see a recession in the second half of Fiscal Year 2023. However, Illinois leaders believe the country can recover from the slight recession during the third quarter of this year. A recession could lead to a decline in overall economic activity, and House Republicans are concerned about the impact outmigration has on the state's tax revenue.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are working on legislation that would require full-day kindergarten. Currently, school districts can offer full-or-half day kindergarten, but the measure would mandate the full school day option. The measure is sponsored by state Representative Mary Beth Canty, a Democrat from Arlington Heights. She said the legislation will help boost academic performance.
(Springfield-jm) – Legislation passed by a House committee Tuesday makes it illegal to get your cat declawed. Unless a veterinarian deems declawing is necessary for the cat’s health, the practice would be banned under the bill. Violators face fines of at least $500. It’s sponsored by Representative Barbara Hernandez of Aurora…
State Representative Barbara Hernandez of Aurora. Opponents say this isn’t needed since declawing isn’t done that much anymore and that cats that have been declawed are less likely to be adopted from shelters.
(Paxton-dg)-A popular Cissna Park coffee shop is coming to Paxton. Kino’s Coffee located downtown Cissna Park will be opening a second location in Paxton on the bottom floor of the historic Clark Building which was the office of the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce. Opening date is tentative for June or July.
(Danville-jm) – A 78-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in Vermilion County to sexually assaulting his intellectually underdeveloped great-niece. Roger Deckard was charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault, each of which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for. Those sentences will be served consecutively and he must serve at least 85% of each sentence.
(Undated-jm) – Lakeview College of Nursing has announced those who have received their white coats. Among them are Kaitlyn Goodwin of Hoopeston and Jessica Tillman of Cissna Park.
(Springfield-jm) – With the announcement that COVID disaster declarations will be ending, several programs are also ending. Medicaid changes implemented during the COVID pandemic will be coming to an end in June. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says SNAP benefits have also changed…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – Six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee will serve as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s commencement speaker Saturday, May 13 in Memorial Stadium. Competing in four different Olympic games in track and field, Joyner-Kersee is the first woman to win back-to-back gold medals in the heptathlon and the first woman to break 7,000 points in the heptathlon – a world record still standing today. She also is the first African American woman to win an Olympic medal in the long jump.
(Washington-jm) – Food shoppers are changing the way they shop in response to rising food prices. Gary Crawford reports…
