(Undated-jm) – If you're struggling to pay rent you're not alone, a new report is out about the affordability of rental housing in the state. According to the report, affordable housing in the state is nearly out of reach and experts say more than half of households are one financial problem away from becoming homeless. The average full-time worker in Illinois will have to make nearly $25 an hour in order to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. The report said even in more affordable counties, the lowest amount a person needs to make is close to $15 an hour. According to the report, if you make the state's minimum wage of $13 an hour you would need two full-time jobs or work 76 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

 

(Springfield-jm) – It was five years ago this week that a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving an Illinois case changed the landscape for public employee unions around the country. Mark Janus worked for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services when he objected to paying fees to a union because doing so constitutes paying for political speech with which he disagrees. At the time, under Illinois law, state government could require its employees to pay fees to a government union as a condition of employment.  Janus v. AFSCME eventually made it to the nation’s highest court. Janus was represented by the National Right to Work Foundation and the Liberty Justice Center. In a 5-4 ruling on June 27, 2018, the justices declared that forced union dues violated the First Amendment rights of Janus and other government employees. The high court concluded workers were free to choose whether to pay the unions in their places of work.

 

(Washington-jm) – Condition ratings for the soybean crop continue to worsen. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana woman is facing attempted first-degree murder charges after trying to run over a man with her car. Norell Williams, 23 was arrested after an Urbana police report said Williams was at a park in that city with a man she knew and the two of them were arguing. The man then got out of the car and said he was going to walk home. Witnesses told police she hit him with the car, then got out and hit him with a golf club, and tried to hit him a second time with the car. Williams's bond was set at $150,000 and is due back in court on July 29.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Preventative maintenance is on the minds of Paxton City leaders. The city uses two main wells for water in the city. The last time wells were checked for proper maintenance was in 20-10. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says city leaders are looking at costs to check out the wells, for maintenance purposes…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Armstrong-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that repairs to the Illinois 49 bridge over the Union Pacific railroad north of U.S. 136, near Armstrong in Vermilion County, begins August 7. The project involves repairs to pier and deck concrete and will require lane closures for the duration of the project, which is expected to be complete by early December.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois state Representative Chris Miller is determined to finish what he insists Republican lawmakers have started when it comes to bringing change to Springfield. The 69-year-old Miller plans to run for reelection in 2024, and he says he is doing everything that’s required to make that happen after Democrats controlling the legislature and congressional redistricting process drew maps to box Miller out of his 110th District.  As chairman of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, Miller adds he’s not about to take no for an answer when it comes to bringing about the level of change in Springfield he’s convinced is needed. Miller is the husband of U-S Representative Mary Miller.

 

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday that will dramatically alter the health insurance market in Illinois. The measures establish a state-based exchange for policies sold under the Affordable Care Act and give the Illinois Department of Insurance the authority to modify or reject proposed rate increases. Under the Affordable Care Act, people who are not eligible for Medicaid but who do not have access to affordable health insurance through their employer can buy subsidized policies through an online exchange operated by either the federal government or their state government. Illinois, however, was among the states that chose not to set up its own exchange. Instead, it pays an annual fee so Illinois residents can use the federal exchange. That will change under House Bill 579, which calls on the Department of Insurance to set up a state-based exchange that will be fully operational by 2026.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education has released the first draft of the Illinois Literacy Plan, which officials said will provide a comprehensive roadmap to improve literacy outcomes for Illinois students. The board invites the public to share feedback on the plan online and during a statewide listening tour. The tour begins next week in Springfield, followed by stops in Chicago, Rockford and Mount Vernon, as well as a virtual event.

 

(Washington-jm) – Condition ratings for the corn crop are dropping week by week to the lowest in decades. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – A warning from the city of Champaign as the Fourth of July holiday approaches. With summer holiday celebrations increasing since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Champaign Police and Fire are making sure they are on top of illegal firework usage in the city in hopes to keep residents safe.In Champaign, having or lighting illegal fireworks could land you in trouble with the law. The first offense comes with a $205 fine, any following offenses will require a court date where fines could be increased. The city of Hoopeston has canceled its fireworks for the holidays and fireworks in Buckley have also been postponed. 

 

(Sibley-jm) – The Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor club will hold their annual tractor drive Saturday. Spokesperson Russ Tjarks talks about how they got started with the tractor drive…

 

 

Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club Spokesperson Russ Tjarks.

 

(Hoopeston-jm) – 32-year-old Jordan David-Ervin of Hoopeston was jailed in Vermilion County after fleeing from Hoopeston officers.  Police attempted a stop in the 700-block of N. Market Street for a traffic violation.  The vehicle fled when the emergency lights were activated.  Police identified the driver and several tickets were mailed to Davis-Ervin.  Charges include Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Allude, No Valid Driver's License, Driving with a Suspended Registration, Speeding, Disobeying a Stop Sign, and Driving without Lights when required.  Davis-Ervin was ordered to appear in Vermilion County Court.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Fireworks displays are in question at some locations while others are taking additional precautions to celebrate the 4th of July safely. In Paxton, the celebration is at Bixby park and a specific traffic pattern has been set up to view the annual fireworks. City of Paxton Officials, those also with the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce continue to look at the weather as we get closer to the 4th. Chamber event spokesperson Alan Meyer says stay close to announcements on social media and radio…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce event Spokesperson Alan Meyer.