(Springfield-jm) – The insurance code for Pap smears and prostate exams will soon be gender neutral as a result of a new law. Instead of men receiving prostate exams and women receiving Pap smears, it would be “individuals” receiving the exams. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 2350. It takes effect January 1, 2025. Former state Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, of Chicago, said the bill was conceived because transgender and gender non-conforming people have historically struggled with accessing health care. Republicans argued women can’t get prostate exams and men can’t get pap smears and that there were more important bills stuck in committee.
(Springfield-jm) – Two pieces of legislation sponsored by 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City were recently signed into law. Senator Bennett talks about the bills…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign announced that one northbound and one southbound lane of Prospect Avenue will be closed beginning today. The closure, between Springfield Avenue and Union Street, is so crews can complete fiber optic installation in the area. City officials said northbound and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane during the closure. Work is scheduled to be complete, and the lanes will reopen on Friday.
(Rantoul-jm) – An arrest warrant has been issued for a Rantoul man who missed court for allegedly breaking the doors at the Champaign County and federal courthouse in Urbana. Austin Kim is charged with 2 counts of criminal damage to government supported property.
(Buckley–jc) – Property owners in the village of Buckley are being asked to return a grant survey in the next two weeks. Buckley Mayor Scott Shockley says the grant is for 500 thousand dollars…
Buckley Mayor Scott Shockley
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man will spend the next decade in prison for his role in a shooting. Charman Brown of Champaign received the sentence for his role in a drive by shooting. A charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm was dismissed.
(Paxton-jm) – The PRIDE in Paxton Queen of Hearts raffle is postponed this week in remembrance of PRIDE founder Teri Hancock’s visitation on Thursday. The next raffle will be on Wednesday, June 28th.
(Springfield-jm) – Republican state Representative Dan Caulkins is fuming that Illinois taxpayers are being forced to pay for the state's more than 6,000 units of local government. While the Illinois Policy Institute puts the number of local government units at around 6.032 units, Census Bureau data from 2017 puts it at around 7,000 units and the Civic Federation actually pegs it in the neighborhood of 9,000 units. Some Republicans would like to see some of those units of government reduced such as consolidating townships and road districts as well as school district administrations.
(Springfield-jm) – Drought conditions around the area are causing concerns. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says it has their attention…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is joining the investigation into a shooting last week at a pop-up party in Champaign. Four people were shot, and Crime Stoppers is hoping someone from the community can identify the person responsible. Champaign Police are still investigating the June 11 gathering near Douglas Park that ended in chaos when someone opened fire. During that shooting, a 17-year-old was shot in the head and was left fighting for his life. A 29- and 27-year-old were shot in their limbs, and a 23-year-old was grazed in the ear. The chaos that followed also resulted in at least three motor vehicle collisions, which resulted in two others being hurt. Multiple parked vehicles were damaged and at least one home was hit by gunfire. The party shooting was one of two that happened in Champaign in the early hours of June 11. Just hours earlier, two 21-year-olds were hurt in a combined shooting-stabbing incident on South Neil Street. Two men have been arrested in connection to the Neil Street incident.
(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man has been found guilty for shooting a man attempting to evict him. Quionte Chaney faces 45-85 years in the shooting death of Rayvell Lofton. Chaney will be sentenced later this year.
(Paxton–jc) – The bench project at the Grand Ole Flag in the city of Paxton is now complete. The last 3 benches were placed this month and Grand Ole Flag spokesperson Denny Kingren invites the public to come and see them…
Paxton Grand Ole Flag Spokesperson Denny Kingren.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man is facing drug and weapons charges. Javonte Carter is charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of 15 to 100 grams of cocaine and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after police discovered 18 grams of cocaine and possessing a gun without a FOID card. If convicted of intending to sell cocaine, he faces 6 to 30 years in prison.
(Rantoul-jm) – The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County is giving away free fans to seniors 60 and over. They must bring an ID. Fans are limited to 1 per household and are first come first serve.
