(Springfield-jm) – The bravery of law enforcement officers from around the state was honored at a medal of honor ceremony in Springfield Wednesday. 136 officers from 41 police agencies received recognition for their acts of heroism. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly spoke to the crowd…

 

 

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. The medal of honor is awarded to officers who have been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty or who have shown exceptional bravery on the job. This was the first time the ceremony was held since 2016. Fallen Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim and his partner, now retired, Officer Jeffrey Creel were recognized.

 

(Springfield-jm) – In the near future while you are attending a festival in Illinois, you may notice an eye in the sky in the form of a drone.  The Drones as First Responders Act has passed the Illinois General Assembly to allow police agencies to use drones to monitor large special events, like parades and festivals. State Senator Julie Morrison, was a cosponsor of House Bill 3902. She was inspired after last year's Highland Park July 4 mass shooting. Morrison and her family were riding in the parade when shots rang out. The ACLU of Illinois, said they were initially opposed to the idea until restrictions on what events were included. Police are not allowed to use drones at political protests, demonstrations or other First Amendment-protected gatherings. Another stipulation of the legislation is that the footage must be erased within 24 hours unless a crime is captured. Police agencies also must publicly post their drone program usage at least 24 hours in advance.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is traveling the state promoting the new fiscal year 24 budget. The Governor made stops in Springfield and Champaign Wednesday, with more scheduled in the coming days. He’s highlighting major investments in Illinois colleges and universities…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. That includes the state’s college MAP grant and AIM High programs. The Governor says the budget also has more money for kindergarten through high school education, with a focus on getting kids off to a good start at a quality preschool.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A missing juvenile from Memphis, Tennessee was found in a vehicle in Rantoul on Wednesday. The Rantoul Police Department says at 11:23 a.m., the Rantoul Police Department was alerted by Flock ALPR cameras of a vehicle associated with a missing person. Further investigation indicated the vehicle was believed to be involved with a parental abduction from Shelby County, Tennessee. Officers located the vehicle and found Shirley L. Webb, 27, and two juveniles and learned one of the juveniles was reported as missing/endangered. Webb was arrested on a Shelby County, Tennessee Arrest Warrant for the offense of Felony Custodial Interference and taken to the Champaign County Jail.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – A bill that provides a tax credit for firefighters and other first responders is moving forward. The bill was co-sponsored by 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Due to increasing drought conditions, Gibson City is limiting water usage. The city announced Wednesday that effective immediately watering lawns is prohibited and will be enforced by the police and water department. The restriction is in effect until further notice.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign announced that one eastbound lane of Bradley Avenue will be closed beginning around 7 a.m. today. The closure, between State Street and Randolph Street, is so crews can perform storm sewer lining. City officials said eastbound traffic on Bradley Avenue will be merged into a single lane through a short construction work zone.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Local power cooperative E I E C is hosting three member events in June. The first is today in Tuscola says E I E C Marketing Specialist Melinda Garrelts…

 

 

E I E C Marketing Specialist Melinda Garrelts

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers have voted to cap the rising cost of insulin. The legislature passed a bill limiting the cost of a 30 day supply of insulin to $35. It was sponsored by Senator Laura Murphy of Des Plaines who says although more than one million Illinoisans need the medication, some just can’t afford it…

 

 

State Senator Laura Murphy of Des Plaines. This applies to all individual private and group health insurance. The Governor still needs to sign this bill into law.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Cities across Illinois have long sought a full restoration of Local Government Distributive Fund payments back to cities. They’re getting some, but not all of what they requested. Decades ago, 10% of every income tax dollar the state collected was remitted back to cities. For years, that has been reduced. The $50.6 billion annual budget plan for the coming fiscal year that state legislators approved last year increases LGDF from 6.16% to 6.47%, but not the full 10%. 

The Illinois Municipal League said while full restoration of LGDF continues to be their top priority, the incremental increase is substantial. The state’s next fiscal year begins July 1. Legislators have yet to transmit the budget bills to the governor for his approval.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking for patience and planning if you’re traveling near the metro east’s Enjoy Illinois 300 event this weekend. The event includes the NASCAR Cup and Truck series races, concerts and more. IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel says more than 65 thousand people are expected to attend the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison…

 

 

IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. More information about the Enjoy Illinois 300 is available at: w-w-t-raceway dot com.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A teenager arrested on Tuesday in connection to an Urbana murder in March made his first court appearance on Wednesday. The 14-year-old suspect was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. Another 14-year-old was arrested and charged in March, and police believe he’s the one who fired the gun that killed 16-year-old Montrell Emery the morning of March 15. Police are also looking for a third suspect, who is 16 years old.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The $50.6 billion state spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, passed the Illinois House early Saturday, with only the support of Democrats who drafted it. House Republicans chose not to vote for the budget bill for numerous reasons.  Including Democrats neglecting two House GOP priorities; giving families a break in the estate tax, and failing to fund the Invest in Kids program, which gives donors a tax credit for contributing to a state fund that pays for low-income scholarships for low-income students. State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian says the budget isn’t as fiscally responsible as Democrats have claimed…

 

 

State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – More than 300 people packed the Village of Rantoul pool, making for a chaotic weekend. Village leaders responded with some new rules. Kids under 12 years old now need to be with someone at least 16 years old. The Hap Parker Family Aquatic Center say they picked this age, so teens babysitting for the summer can still bring the children they watch to the pool.

 

(Hoopeston-jm) – A juvenile in Hoopeston is facing multiple charges. Hoopeston police were notified of a stolen vehicle in the 700 block of South First Avenue. Police located the vehicle and arrested the 17 year old driver on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving and no drivers license.