(Springfield-jm) – Starting today, gun owners in Illinois will be violating state law if they possess certain semi-automatic firearms and magazines in public places. Governor J.B. Pritzker says the ban on more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over 10 rounds for rifles and 15 rounds for handguns is to keep guns off the streets. Illinois State Police say on their frequently asked questions website about the law, Illinoisans can “legally possess the firearm on private property owned or immediately controlled by the person, on private property that is not open to the public with the express permission of the person who owns or immediately controls such property, while on premises of a licensed firearms dealer or gunsmith for lawful repair, at a licensed firing range or sport shooting competition venue, or while traveling to and from these locations.” Gun rights advocates say there’s too much gray area. Violation of the magazine ban is a petty offense with a $1,000 fine. Unlawful possession of a banned firearm carries up to a Class 3 felony.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The State Climatologist says weather buffs are needed to help measure precipitation in Illinois. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network or “COCORAHS” (co-co-rahs) is always looking for volunteers to gather data from locations that aren’t monitored by the National Weather Service says…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford says those interested will need a four inch manual rain gauge. You can sign up on the website: cocorahs dot org. That’s c-o-c-o-r-a-h-s dot gov.

 

(Undated-jm) – Average gas prices in Illinois have risen 15.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.83/g, according to GasBuddy. Prices in Illinois are 31.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 59.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House took a few days off from taking up legislation. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington talks about what he did over the break…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Undated-jc) – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation Friday announced that $127.9 million has been awarded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to expand travel options and enhance quality of life in communities throughout the state. Locally, 2 million 955 thousand dollars goes to a road-bike share path in Savoy that starts on Curtis Road and goes south into the village. Urbana has two projects. 1 million 466 thousand dollars for a share path on Baker Lane and a 1 million dollar share bike-road lane project on Florida Avenue. The Village of Rantoul netted a 767 thousand dollar grant for a bike-road path along Veterans Parkway on the east side of the village. 

 

(Mahomet-jm) – The Mahomet Music Festival along with Fisher National Bank is proud to announce the Main Stage Lineup for the 2023 Mahomet Music Festival! The festival will take place on August 25th and 26th along Main St in Downtown Mahomet.  Friday night’s lineup includes festival favorites Hairbanger’s Ball along with Candy Foster & Shades of Blue, as well as Zakk Tompkins! Headlining the Saturday night show this year is country music artist Chris Janson. Janson will be joined by Shane Profitt and Onoleigh! The Christian headliner on Saturday will be Sanctus Real! Entry to the concerts is FREE, thanks to our great sponsors! 

 

(Washington-jm) – The current agricultural trade surplus we have with other nations may turn into a deficit later this year. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

Today’s WPXN business of the day is Houston Plumbing Heating & Cooling. Springtime is a perfect time to get your air conditioner tuned up. Houston Plumbing Heating & Cooling General Manager Lisa Pearman, talks about why it's important.

 

 

 

Houston Plumbing Heating & Cooling General Manager Lisa Pearman

You can hear the full interview over the noon hour

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker continues to downplay and cast doubt on Illinois' population losses, despite U.S. Census data evidence to the contrary. The U.S. Census released updated county population numbers late last month. In Illinois, from July 2020 through July 2021, the state lost residents in 92 of its 102 counties. The Governor said The American Community Survey, said hundreds of thousands of people were leaving every year. Then the census count in 2020, and it turns out, no, we actually gained population. But Illinois lost a seat in the U.S. Congress during reapportionment because of significant population loss after that 2020 Census loss. The Illinois Policy Institute says that the numbers are the numbers, no matter which way Pritzker tries to spin them. Pritzker said one of the main reasons the state is seeing a population decrease is due to many students choosing to attend out of state colleges. The Illinois Policy Institute argues rather its the state’s high taxes and pension debt that’s affecting the state’s population.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker continues to tout his signing of the assault weapons ban in Illinois. Starting today, gun owners in Illinois will be violating state law if they possess certain semi-automatic firearms and magazines in public places. Governor Pritzker says there are some guns that don’t belong to the general public…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The issue is awaiting a judgment in the courts.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois General Assembly is on a short recess before they return later this month. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares what he’s been doing during the recess…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Watseka-jm) – Citizens of Iroquois County may have received a mailing solicitation from the Illinois Sheriff's Association.  That, Sheriff Clint Perzee says, is legitimate.  Perzee said the mailer seeks associate members at the county level to join the state organization in support of law enforcement.  Membership fees goes toward worthy causes like student scholarships and other issues fighting the SAFE-T Act and gun ban law.  The Iroquois County 'mailer' clearly identifies Sheriff Clint Perzee on the return-sender part of the envelope.  The Illinois Sheriff Association legitimately seeks membership-- by mail--with authentic identification.  The group never solicits by phone and any such calls should be ignored.

 

(Undated–jc)  27 Nursing homes were the latest to be fined by the Illinois Department of Public Health for a wide variety of violations.  Accolade in Paxton was fined 77 thousand 200 dollars. Champaign Urbana Rehab was fined 107 thousand 700 dollars. Gilman Healthcare and Farmer City Rehab were fined 2thousand 200 dollars each.  Urbana’s University Rehab was fined 2 5 thousand dollars and Watseka Rehab was fined 11 thousand dollars.

 

(Washington-jm) – U.S. exports of corn are down dramatically from this time a year ago. Gary Crawford reports…