(Springfield-jm) – A measure now in the Illinois House says the Illinois Emergency Management Agency would be able to do “all things necessary, incidental, or appropriate for the implementation” of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Opponents of Senate Bill 3434 said Illinois’ emergency authority continues under the Pritzker administration and giving more power lacks proper oversight. State Sen. Win Stoller said the bill grants extraordinary power to the department's rulemaking authority and bypasses the legislature.
(Springfield-jm) – A measure prohibiting local news organizations from selling to out-of-state buyers without 120 days written notice of the sale to the state and their employees has passed the Illinois Senate. State Sen. Steve Stadelman, said in an effort to address what he said is a shrinking local media landscape, Illinois should pass the "Strengthening Community Media Act" found in Senate Bill 3592. One element of the bill requires 120-day written notice to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the company's employees if a local media outlet is looking to sell. State Sen. Jason Plummer, argued the bill could actually backfire, crippling local media.
(Washington-jm) – Corn planting is underway. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the details…
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.
(Mahomet-jm) – Mahomet-Seymour Junior and Senior High Schools had a false alarm on Tuesday afternoon when an emergency announcement was accidentally issued. Just after 3 p.m., the ALICE intruder alert was activated. Some students and staff evacuated. Officials soon determined that the alert was an error and there was never any emergency or threat.
(Danville-jm) – The Vermilion County Animal Shelter is looking for more residents to be fosters after taking in three litters of puppies last week. In a Facebook post on Vermilion County Animal Shelter Foundation, the shelter announced they took in 26 puppies within just one week. More information on fostering pets, including information to assist new foster families and an application, can be viewed on the shelter’s website.
(Iroquois County-jm) – Several citizens in Iroquois County have reported they've been targeted by a new scam. Sheriff's Police are issuing a warning about scammers calling individuals on the state's Sex Offender Registry, posing as detectives and demanding money. The caller tells the individual they're wanted for failure to appear to provide a DNA test. The caller says a notice was mailed. The scammer then says the person can avoid arrest by paying them a fee in cash, using a prepaid gift card. Police say the scammer may ask for personal information, like your Social Security number or bank account. The Iroquois CountySheriff's Office will never contact anyone by telephone and ask for personal account information of any kind to avoid arrest. Police advise citizens to just hang up, never provide any personal info.
(Rantoul–jc) – Rantoul township High School board members approved a new detail with a food purchasing coop, to help get the freshest food and save some money too. Rantoul Township High School Superintendent Scott Amerio says the new deal is very similar to the old one, but the board needed to approve the minor changes…
Rantoul Township High School Superintendent Scott Amerio
(Chicago–jc) – More Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s grocery stores could be hitting the sale block. As part of a nearly $25 billion merger, Kroger and Albertsons originally planned to sell about 400 grocery stores. That number has now been raised to 600 stores across the country and 35 in Illinois.Company officials said the increase was to make the deal more appealing to antitrust officials who attempted to block the merger last year.
(Paxton–jc) – Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is The Pop Loft is located at 351 South Market in Paxton. The Pop Loft Owner Samantha “sam” Magers says the name came from the balloon creations side of the business…
She says to order your prom flowers and more at the Pop Loft…
The Pop Loft Owner Samantha Magers
The number for all flower arrangements and orders is 217-391-38-38.
They also carry Black and White Chocolates, cleaning supplies and do all sizes of balloon creations.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House unanimously passed a plan to require school districts to develop cardiac emergency response plans. This comes as the state saw 109 cardiac events involving students under 18 during 2022 alone. The proposal could require school districts to work with local paramedics to create an evidence-based plan to use AEDs in case of a cardiac event. Sponsors said the cardiac response plan should be available on every school website and in paper form throughout schools. Schools would be required to identify where AEDs are located on the property and include guidelines for how to use the equipment properly.
(Washington-jm) – Crop planting is underway. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey has a look at soybean planting…
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.
(Decatur-jm) – Archer Daniels Midland has announced its chief financial officer will resign later this year. Vikram Luthar was put on administrative leave in January for accounting irregularities in ADM’s nutrition business while the company cooperated with an investigation. Luthar, who will step down Sept. 30, will reportedly receive over $743,000 as a cash performance incentive award for 2023.
(Undated-jm) – The Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend officially begins this Thursday through Saturday. Over 9 thousand people have signed up for the event. Thursday it's the Green Street Mile at 7:30pm. Friday its the 5k run walk at 7:30pm. Saturday the wheelchair half marathon begins at 7:31 am with the full and half marathon beginning at 7:33 am. The 10k starts at 8 am Saturday. Travel will be impacted for the race weekend activities across Champaign, Urbana and Savoy.
(Paxton–jc) Work to get the Paxton pool ready for the season continues. Paxton Park District Director Kayden Snelling says the hope is to continue to check the lining and have the pool open in late May…
Paxton Park District Director Kayden Snelling.
(Champaign-jm) – Two men are in custody for their role in the robbery of a convenience store overnight. Champaign Police were dispatched at midnight on April 23, 2024, to a business in the 1200 block of N. Mattis Avenue for a report of an Armed Robbery. On-scene, officers quickly learned that two men had robbed the business at gunpoint before fleeing the area on foot. During the robbery, one man held the clerks at gunpoint while the second served as a lookout. No one was injured in this incident, but the men took an unknown amount of cash. Officers immediately initiated a K9 track and canvass of the area for witnesses and video evidence that could lead to the two suspects. Champaign Police located the men leaving a home in the 1400 block of Holly Hill Drive at 12:49 a.m. and conducted a traffic stop to detain them. Investigators with Champaign Police then authored a search warrant for the house on Holly Hill Drive. The search warrant was served at 7:11 a.m. with assistance from the Champaign Police Department SWAT Team. While searching the home, investigators located evidence related to the robbery scene on Mattis. As a result of the investigation, Champaign Police arrested 19-year-old Randy C. Copeland of Chicago and Travon Gibson, 19, of Hammond, Indiana, on initial charges including Armed Robbery and Unlawful Use of Weapons.
(Urbana–jc) – The latest health-improving drink to take social media by storm is kombucha (com-BOO-chah). While experts say the drink is fine for most to try, you should keep a couple things in mind. One, the jury is still out on the extent of the benefits. And two, it’s crucial to make the drink the right way. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more from a local dietitian…
(Gifford–jc) – Plans for the 20-24 Gifford Community Celebration are underway. The day to put on your calendar is Saturday June 29th. The day starts at Emord Park at 7am with a 5K Run and walk. It’s cars and coffee at 8am on Main street with the annual parade at 10am. Inflatables, activities and food trucks will be at Werner Roessler Park from 11am to 3pm. A bags tournament starts at 3pm on Main street and its Fireworks at Dusk in Gifford on June 29th.
