(Springfield-jm) – No vaping inside public places under a bill that passed the Illinois Senate Thursday. The legislation updates the Smoke-Free Illinois Act that banned smoking regular cigarettes in bars, restaurants and the like back in 2007. There’s widespread support to add vaping, says Senator Steve McClure of Springfield…
State Senator Steve McClure of Springfield. Supporters say e-cigs contain toxins that are dangerous. The bill now moves to the House for a vote.
(Springfield-jm) – Thursday in the Illinois House of Representatives, State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur, passed HB 1213. The bill amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act so that scholarships can be awarded under the Teach Illinois Scholarship Program to teachers who agree to pursue a master’s degree in order to teach dual credit courses…
State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur. State Senator Sally Turner of Beason has agreed to carry the bill in the Senate.
(Springfield-jm) – The state of Illinois is still recovering from the pandemic. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington has the latest on the unemployment numbers…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign woman will spend the next 47 years behind bars following her conviction for murder. A jury determined in January that Arieana Colbert, 22, was personally responsible for the murder of 19-year-old Acarrie Ingram-Triner on October 20, 2021. Prosecutors said the two were involved in an argument at the Champaign Park Apartments, during which Colbert pulled out a gun and fired at Ingram-Triner. One of the bullets hit her in the neck and she died as a result.
(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson Area Hospital is our WPXN Business of the Day today. Spokesperson Bill Kirby talks about the approach they take to provide the best care for their patients…
He also says they are bringing back their annual Summer Bash…
Gibson Area Hospital Spokesperson Bill Kirby. You can hear more of Bill’s interview with over the noon hour.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ Office is awarding more than 21 million dollars in grants to help law enforcement fight vehicle theft and carjackings. The money is going to six police organizations around the state to further address the problem. Secretary Giannoulias says he was a victim of a carjacking when he was a senior in high school…
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Law enforcement like the State Police and the Metro East, Tri-County, Greater Peoria and Statewide Auto Theft Task Forces will use the money to expand investigations and for technology like license plate readers.
(Springfield-jm) – U of I president Timothy Killeen appeared before the Appropriations – Higher Education Committee in Springfield Thursday as the General Assembly prepares for the upcoming budget for the next fiscal year. State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian sits on that committee and had the opportunity to question the head of the U of I system. Marron said it was a good conversation with the U of I president…
State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.
(Springfield-jm) – The corruption trial of 4 top Com-Ed officials with connections to former House Speaker Mike Madigan has begun. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City weighs in…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Circuit Clerk’s office will be hosting Amnesty Week from April 10 to April 21. During that time, anyone who has a balance due on a criminal, traffic, DUI, ordinance violation or conservation violation will be able to pay their total due minus any late fees and collection fees which have accumulated. This does not apply to any fines and costs which have already been paid or any tax refunds which have been applied against what is due and owing. People who want to participate in the program can request a quote in their case or cases by sending an email to cccircuitclerk@co.champaign.il.us. The email needs to include the person’s name with middle initial, their address, their phone number, their email address, and their case number or numbers.
A special food distribution at the Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will take place on Saturday from 9-10:30 am.
Paxton IGA will host their cookout benefiting Rainbow Girls on Saturday from 10-2.
