(Springfield-jm) – State and local police are kicking off the “Click it or Ticket” campaign for the Memorial Day holiday. The public can expect to see beefed up patrols looking for those not wearing a seatbelt, as well as drunk drivers, says Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Paul Wappel…
Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Paul Wappel. According to I-DOT, heavy traffic during Memorial Day weekend almost always leads to an increase in fatalities. Last year in Illinois, there were 14 crashes over the holiday period, resulting in 15 deaths. The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Memorial Day holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. today, to 11:59 p.m. Monday. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through areas where construction zones still exist. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones.
(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers are saying yes to a new program that will help keep local grocery stores afloat. The House and Senate have passed legislation that provides grants to new or current grocery stores in high-need areas. People must be able to access healthy food, says Representative Maurice West of Rockford…
State Representative Maurice West of Rockford. The grant program is an initiative of Governor J-B Pritzkers who is expected to sign the bill into law.
(Springfield-jm) – Nearly all juvenile court fines and fees would be eliminated under a bill headed to the Governor’s desk. The measure is sponsored by Senator Robert Peters of Chicago, who says that kids and their families shouldn’t be negatively impacted by the fines or have to go into debt to pay them off…
State Senator Robert Peters of Chicago. Opponents argue that some families can afford the fees and point out the financial loss counties would suffer by not collecting that money. Fines for violating traffic, boating, fishing or hunting laws would still have to be paid. The bill needs to be signed by the Governor to become law.
(Fisher-jm) – A Fisher man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for attacking a woman, possessing a gun and possessing a stolen car. Devon Todd received the sentence in Champaign County court after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and domestic battery. In exchange for his guilty plea, charges of unlawful use of a weapon, armed violence, robbery, possession of a stolen gun and aggravated domestic battery were dismissed.
(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul couple who admitted to sexually abusing a foster child in their care has been sentenced to 30 months probation. Tate and Jaelyn Survance received the sentence after pleading guilty to criminal sexual abuse.
(Washington-jm) – What might the weather forecast look like for your region of the country this upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend? Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is stressing the importance of safety as boating season begins. One of the most important reminders from the Department of Natural Resources is to wear a life jacket whether you’re on a motorboat, kayak, jet-ski or paddleboard. Safety Education Officer Cody Gray says it could save your life…
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Safety Education Officer Cody Gray. All boats must have a life jacket for each person on board and kids under 13 are required by law to wear a vest. Last year in Illinois, 52 boating accidents were reported and Conservation Police arrested 72 people for drunk driving a boat. The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Memorial Day holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. today, to 11:59 p.m. Monday. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through areas where construction zones still exist.
(Springfield-jm) – Legislation now waiting to be signed into law would let non-citizen residents get a standard Illinois driver’s license. Non-citizen motorists are currently issued a temporary visitor driver’s license, but that can’t be used as an ID. That can be really limiting, says Senator Ram Villivalum of Chicago…
State Senator Ram Villivalum of Chicago. Under the bill, non-citizens will have to prove they have car insurance and take a driving test. They will not be eligible for the real I-D.
(Springfield-jm) – The risk of drought conditions in Illinois is increasing thanks to the lack of recent rain. The Chicago area and parts of western Illinois are already considered to be in a moderate drought, while several other counties, including Ford, Iroquois, Champaign and Vermilion Counties, are rated abnormally dry by the U-S Drought Monitor. Still, this hasn’t had a major impact yet says State Climatologist Trent Ford…
State Climatologist Trent Ford. Ford says conditions may worsen as the forecast for the next week is calling for dry, hot weather.
(Undated-jm) – This weekend is Memorial Day weekend and area veterans groups will be handing out poppys. The American Legion Post 287 in Rantoul will be hanging out poppys from 8 am to 6 pm today and 8 am to noon tomorrow at Ott’s, County Market and Walmart. In Paxton, members of the American Legion will be handing out poppys at the intersection of Patton and Market and Pells and Market.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man has been convicted of a raping a woman who was asleep in her own home. Kevin Finley, 28, will be sentenced July 18 for aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Police said when Finley was charged, he was also suspected of groping several women in Urbana who had been walking alone. Finley faces 16 to 40 years to be served at 85 percent time and another possible three to 14 years for aggravated criminal sexual abuse to be served after that.
(Washington-jm) – There's a bit of good news for food shoppers in USDA's latest food price forecast for 2023. Gary Crawford reports…
