(Springfield-jm) – The State Board of Education is extending the deadline to apply for preschool grants. The goal is to address preschool “deserts,” where local children don’t have access to quality early education. Grants are available to daycares, not for profit groups, schools and more to expand or create preschool opportunities says State Schools Superintendent Tony Sanders…
State Schools Superintendent Tony Sanders. The deadline to apply for the grant funding has been moved to June 30th. More information is available online at: isbe dot net. That’s isbe dot net.
(Springfield-jm) – An expected dip in sports wagering in Illinois in April wasn’t as bad as most thought. Figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board showed sports betting sites took in total bets just shy of $900 million. That is compared to over $1 billion in March, but a dip was expected because of no marquee sporting events in April. Illinois took in over $14 million in sports betting taxes in April, surpassing Pennsylvania at $13 million. Sports books in Illinois were taxed at an effective rate of 17.7% in April, compared to nearly 26% in Pennsylvania. Through the first four months of the year, Illinois ranks second in betting handle at over $3.9 billion, second in revenue at over $340 million, and third in taxes collected from sports betting with over $56 million collected by the state.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Housing Development Authority is awarding 26 million dollars in federal tax credits to build affordable housing developments across the state. The credits are sold to investors to generate capital for the18 affordable housing projects in 12 Illinois counties, says Spokesperson Andrew Field…
Illinois Housing Development Authority Spokesperson Andrew Field. Developments receiving the credits are located in communities like Addison, Northbrook, Joliet, Chicago, Champaign, Peoria, Wood River, Harrisburg and more.
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Milford man is facing meth charges in Vermilion County. Robert Deaton was arrested by Hoopeston police after the car he was riding in was stopped for a traffic violation. Deaton was found to be in possession of several grams of meth and taken to the Vermilion County Jail.
(Urbana-jm) – A recent University of Illinois graduate is on her way home after she was attacked in Germany last week. German police said Kelsey Chang was released from the hospital Sunday. Five days earlier, Chang and her friend, another U of I grad, were thrown off a cliff while visiting a castle in Bavaria. Chang survived the 165-foot fall down a slope, while her friend did not survive.
(Champaign-jm) – Job training services through East Central Illinois workNet are available to those attending classes at Parkland College or other postsecondary institution this Fall. Qualifying individuals who apply may receive a Career Coach and a scholarship that covers tuition payments, books, fees, and support services up to $16,000. Applications can be submitted through July 28, 2023, online at www.ECIWork.net/apply. The scholarship can also be used for open enrollment programs at approved training providers.
(Springfield-jm) – Cases of the West Nile Virus are popping up around the state. So far no human cases have been reported but the Illinois Department of Public Health has some tips to reduce your risk says 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton–jc) Local television station Channel 3 will be in Paxton on Friday as part of their “Our Town” series. The event is set for 4pm to 7pm in downtown Paxton. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says activities are planned and a special announcement is set for 5pm…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Springfield-jm) – Federal and state National Guard leaders are discussing the challenges of recruiting troops. Retention rates at the Illinois Army and Air National Guards are pretty good, but it’s getting people to sign up that is sometimes a struggle. Both branches rely on current members to spread the word, and focus on the summer months to bring in recent graduates. Technical Sergeant Stephen Graves with the Air National Guard says they want potential recruits to know that serving can fit into their busy lives…
Illinois Air National Guard Technical Sergeant Stephen Graves. At the federal level, military leaders say this is the most challenging hiring environment they’ve seen, with the Marines coming the closest to recruitment goals.
(Springfield-jm) – With Illinois’ unemployment rate now tied for fourth worst in the country and the state having only added in the neighborhood of 2,500 jobs in May, Republican state Senator Steve McClure says there have been warning signs for years.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the state’s overall unemployment rate dipped to 4.1% in May, down one-tenth of a percent from the month before, but McClure argues that hardly tells the story. As it is, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 85% of Illinois communities lost population in 2022, with the losses essentially stretching to every area of the state. Overall, the state lost upwards of 105,000 residents, with the Internal Revenue Service adding that primarily working-age adults took in the neighborhood of $11 billion in wealth with them. In May, the construction (2,400) and manufacturing (1,700) sectors suffered the greatest losses, while the government added the most jobs at 2,600. A series of recent surveys show 51% of residents insist they would leave the state if given the opportunity with the biggest reason being high taxes.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is promoting legislation that provides regular driver’s licenses to non-citizen residents. Currently, undocumented immigrants can get a temporary visitor driver’s license, which has a purple bar at the top that reads “TVDL”. Under the bill, they would instead be issued a standard license. Secretary Giannoulias says this will end the stigma for non-citizen drivers….
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Unlike the TVDL, the new version will serve as a form of identification which can be used for things like filling a prescription or renting an apartment. The bill still needs to be signed into law by the Governor.
(Champaign-jm) – As a result of population growth captured in the 2020 U.S. Census, the Champaign City Council is considering adjusting the boundaries of the City Council Districts in order to balance the city’s population across the five districts. Members of the public are invited to participate in the redistricting process by submitting redistricting map proposals through the City’s new public engagement website – engagechampaign.org. Redistricting proposals will be accepted through July 19, 2023.
(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci is inviting local residents to ask questions about state resources and provide feedback on legislative priorities at his upcoming Coffee and Conversation event on June 29. The event will be held Thursday, June 29 from 8 – 9 a.m. at the Espresso Royale Stadium Plaza, located at 1411 S. Neil St. in Champaign.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man is wanted on robbery charges and Crime Stoppers is looking for the public’s help in finding him. Officials said the wanted man is 19-year-old Chance Brewer. Brewer was arrested and charged with robbery in August of last year. At an initial court appearance, he pleaded not guilty and requested a trial by jury. The following April, however, Brewer failed to appear for a pretrial hearing. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he’s been on the run ever since. Brewer is described as being Black, exactly six feet in height and weighing 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
(Roberts-jm) – Roberts will be holding their 1st fun day this Saturday. Activities include a parade, kids games, live music and more. Spokesperson Cassie Ehman says its an event to bring people together and have fun…
Roberts Fun Day Spokesperson Cassie Ehman.
WPXN will be stopping by live on Saturday with our Summer Fun Stop number 2 at the Saturday parade in Roberts.
