(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing 175 million dollars in new Back to Business Grants. This latest round of grants will help industries still trying to recover from the pandemic, says Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards…
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards. The deadline for businesses to apply is May 10th. The grants are federally funded. More information about the Back to Business Program is available online at: illinois dot gov slash b, the number 2, b.
(Paxton-dg)-Paxton Native Gina Galey has made it past the first round on The Voice. The 19 year old goes by Gina Miles when on stage. She chose Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” as her first song. She chose One Direction singer Niall Horan as her coach.
(Springfield-jm) – A fungus that officials said is often resistant to antifungal drugs has been detected in more than half of U.S. states including Illinois. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fungus was first detected in 2016 and has spread at an alarming rate between 2020 and 2021 in health care facilities.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is announcing 10 household hazardous waste collection events this spring. The popular events are a great way to clear out the garage and safely dispose of waste, says IEPA Spokesperson Kim Biggs…
IEPA Spokesperson Kim Biggs. Latex paint, old smoke detectors and agricultural chemicals will not be accepted. To find and register for a collection date in your area, visit: epa dot illinois dot gov and search for household hazardous waste.
(Springfield-jm) – A Springfield lawmaker wants to make it easier for agriculture students to skip class – as long as they are learning and getting experience in their fields. The bill would allow students at a 4-H or FFA competitions or exhibitions to be marked at school as “in attendance” instead of absent. Senator Doris Turner is the sponsor of the bill. She said it’s important to let students learn through experience without being penalized for missing class, as events can often conflict with school days. The bill is also co-sponsored by Senator Tom Bennett.
(Rantoul-jm) – 5 new businesses are coming to the village of Rantoul. Mayor Chuck Smith says work should be completed by the middle of May…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man is wanted on an aggravated battery warrant and Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in locating him. Officials said Lavell D. Joiner, 39, is wanted for aggravated battery to a child, with bond set at $10,000. Joiner is described as being Black with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5′ 6″ tall and weighs 223 pounds.
(Danville-jm) – A new smartphone app is launching in Vermilion County, the Circuit Clerk announced. Circuit Clerk Melissa Quick said the Vermilion County Circuit Clerk app serves as a new way for her office to connect with citizens and responders, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone. Quick said the app will offer access to items of public interest and features such as: Circuit Clerk’s messages, Case searches, Court payments, Legal forms, Jury duty information, Child support, Office contact information and Court date alerts.
(Paxton-jm) – PRIDE in Paxton is our WPXN Business of the Day. The group is raising money for a new sound system downtown says Spokesperson Kim Evans…
(Paxton-jm) – The local non-profit is raising money for a new speaker system in the downtown area of Paxton through a Queen of Hearts raffle, says Spokesperson Kim Evans…
PRIDE in Paxton Spokesperson Kim Evans. You can hear more from Kim during our noon newscast.
(Washington-jm) – The broiler industry is on a path to boost production this year, but what will that do to producer prices? Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting an increase in serious cases of strep throat in children. It’s the Group A step cases that are rising, leaving five Illinois children dead due to strep-related complications so far this year. The State’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Arti Barnes says symptoms can come on fast and include a very sore throat and a fever. She recommends getting a rapid strep test so they can start antibiotics if necessary…
State Chief Medical Officer Dr Arti Barnes. Dr Barnes says if your child doesn’t seem to be better and is complaining about a cough, stomach ache, weakness or other new symptoms, it’s a good idea to check with their doctor to make sure the infection hasn’t reached their blood stream.
(Springfield-jm) – The state of Illinois is joining 21 other states in calling on Kia America and Hyundai Motor Company to take swift action to remedy the rash of car thefts that they say are the result of the companies’ failure to equip vehicles with anti-theft immobilizers. Models made from 2010 to 2021 can be operated without a key. Last year alone, there were over 7,000 Hyundai and Kia thefts in Chicago. The companies recently announced a customer service campaign to upgrade the software, but in a letter, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 21 other attorneys general said the plan is insufficient and incomplete.
(Springfield-jm) – Community colleges in Illinois are enjoying the largest enrollment increase in more than a decade. Spring enrollment is up by more than 7 percent over last year. State Community College Board Executive Director Brian Durham…
State Community College Board Executive Director Brian Durham. Adult enrollment at community colleges rose by 29 percent over the year and the number of students taking dual credit courses increased by more than 10 percent.
(Champaign County-jm) – A household hazardous waste site could be coming to Champaign County. The City of Urbana has contributed $175,000 while Champaign County has contributed $650,000. Developers say they need about $1.2 million more. They plan to have the facility open in late 2024 early 2025.
(Springfield-jm) – There has been some public safety legislation filed this spring. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington talks about what it does…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.
(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man is facing drug trafficking charges. Shavez Chapple is charged with two counts of trafficking a controlled substance after authorities say he received about 5 pounds of cocaine through the mail. Bond was set at $500,000. If convicted he faces 6 to 30 years in prison.
(Ford County-jm) – Ford County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. Assessments in Ford County are at 32.92 percent of market value, based on sales of properties in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The equalization factor currently being assigned is for 2022 taxes, payable in 2023. Last year’s equalization factor for the county was 1.0000.
(Washington-jm) – Supplies of beef cattle are down sharply. Gary Crawford reports…
