(Springfield-jm) – A new study is shedding light on the outcomes of states that placed restrictions on residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Paragon Health Institute compared the degree of state government response measures developed by Oxford University to health, economic and educational outcome measures in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The index measured government interventions including state-enforced closures of businesses, schools, and other recreational facilities; restrictions on public gatherings; and masking and social distancing requirements. Co-author and American Well-being Initiative Director Dr. Joel Zinberg said states with fewer restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic outperformed states like Illinois that implemented more restrictions. The study showed severe government interventions strongly correlated with worse economic outcomes, with increased unemployment and decreased GDP, and also worse educational outcomes with fewer days of in-person schooling.
(Urbana-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker visited the University of Illinois Wednesday where he touted his plan to increase investments in colleges and universities in the state. The Governor says they are trying to make it more affordable for in-state students…
The Governor also says the state’s colleges and universities help provide future leaders…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign police are investigating after a person shot themself in the parking lot of Meijer on Prospect Avenue. Police say the unidentified individual had been wanted by police over a series of incidents. A deputy saw the person enter the Meijer and when they exited the store, the deputy approached the suspect, who pulled out a gun and shot themself. The person was taken to the hospital.
(Washington-jm) – A USDA meteorologist is forecasting delays in corn planting progress in the Northern corn belt. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton-jm) – Hours and rates for the Paxton pool have been announced. The pool will be open from 1-5 everyday this summer except for Thursdays when it will be open from 1-8. Daily admission is set at $5. Passes can be purchased, $60 for a single pass, $100 for 2 passes, $130 for 3 passes and $160 for 4 passes.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s Business of the Day is PRIDE in Paxton and the downtown Speaker and Safety project. PRIDE in Paxton Spokesperson Kim Evans says the Queen of Hearts pot is now 18 thousand 205 dollars for the next drawing on April 12th…
PRIDE in Paxton spokesperson Kim Evans.
PRIDE in Paxton Spokesperson Dawn Glad says 48 thousand dollars has been raised for the project…
PRIDE in Paxton Spokesperson Dawn Glad
The group's goal is 120 thousand dollars to put the system in 3 blocks in downtown Paxton. The Queen of Hearts project takes place each Wednesday night at the Pueblo Lindo Event Center with a drawing at 7pm.
(Springfield-jm) – A study reveals that Illinois is in the top 10 in the country for the highest tax burden on its residents. The personal finance website WalletHub reports Illinois has the 9th highest overall tax burden at a 9.3% share of personal income. Illinois is 10th in the country for the highest property tax burden, and in the top half of states for individual income tax and total sales and excise tax burden. The study also found that Republican-majority states have a lower tax burden than Democrat-majority states.
(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign police say a student was a victim of a scam where someone posed to be a representative for an artist and offered to pay to use the student's photos. The scammer said they would send a $2,000 deposit to the student and that the student should return a portion of that money to pay for materials. Before realizing the original deposit had not cleared the student paid $1,500 to the scammer.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's first condition rating for the winter wheat crop is not encouraging. Gary Crawford reports…
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign woman is facing multiple charges related to a December shooting. Arielle Spearman is charged with being an armed habitual offender, aggravated discharge of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Police allege Spearman fired a gun at a vehicle with her partner and his mother in it.
