(Springfield-jm) – The legislature is ready to send a bill to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker that removes the mandate that the Department of Children and Family Services must report newborn babies’ positive toxicology screens to law enforcement. Senate Bill 3136 passed the Illinois General Assembly and will, according to opponents, disincentivize drug addicts from getting clean because it removes punitive provisions that take away birth mothers’ parental rights upon a newborn baby’s toxicology screen coming back positive. State Sen. Steve McClure, said the bill will actually deter drug addicts from seeking treatment. Opponents say allowing drug addicted mothers, who give birth to babies whose toxicology screens come back positive, to maintain their parental rights is not only dangerous but subverts accountability. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Cristina Castro introduced the legislation because numerous studies have shown women who suffer from substance abuse avoid care based on concerns that clinicians will report them to the authorities.

(Washington-jm) – New USDA supply and demand crop forecasts are coming soon. Gary Crawford reports…

(East Lynn-jm) – The National Weather Service has determined an EF-1 tornado touched down 3 miles south of East Lynn Wednesday morning when the line of storms moved through. The weather service along with the Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency says 7 grain bins along with 2 power poles along with the roof of an outbuilding were damaged. The tornado occurred just before 8:30 am and was on the ground for 1.3 miles and had estimated winds of 95 mph.

(Springfield–jc)  With a super majority in both the Illinois House and Illinois Senate and also a same party governor, Democrats in Illinois have passed the largest state budget in Illinois history. The budget is balanced with the help of over 1 Billion dollars in new taxes. Locally, Republican 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington says it’s the tax payers in Illinois the burden of the budget…

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker signed the budget this past Wednesday.

(Hoopeston–jc)  City leaders in the Vermilion County town of Hoopeston continue to raise and renovate properties in the city. City of Hoopeston officials are looking for bids for the demolition of a property at 5-11 West Main Street. Bid packets are available at Hoopeston city hall. The bids will be opened  at 10am on Friday June 28th. 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois F F A State convention is set to start this week in Springfield. One local chapter has 15 state degrees in record-keeping. Cissna Park F FA Advisor Jeff Clifton says that is the largest number of any chapter in the state of Illinois to receive 15 awards…

Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton. The State of Illinois F F A convention runs June 11th through the 13th in Springfield. 

(Undated-jm) – Two area Red Lobster locations could close as part of the company's bankruptcy plans. The Red Lobster in Champaign as well as Bourbonnais are on the list of 100 restaurants the company is looking at closing. Earlier this year, the Danville location abruptly closed. It's unknown if or when the Champaign and Bourbonnais locations could close.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is touting what he calls major business expansion during his tenure, but not everyone agrees. According to the governor, his administration has made the state of Illinois better for business. The governor told the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce that billions of dollars in new business investments came into the state in 2023. Former Republican primary gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives said Pritzker’s numbers are a product of President Joe Biden’s inflation. In addition, the Tax Foundation reports that Illinois imposes the second-highest business income tax of any state in the nation. In his address to the Chicagoland Chamber, Pritzker said his administration has gotten the state’s fiscal house in order. Ives said the governor is telling half-truths. The Illinois Policy Institute has reported that the new budget includes more than $1 billion in tax hikes.

(Washington-jm) – President Biden has proclaimed June as National Homeowners Month. Gary Crawford reports…

(Peoria-jm) – OSF HealthCare announced the passing of their system president on Sunday. Sister Diane Marie McGrew, died peacefully early Sunday morning after a five-year battle against ovarian and uterine cancers, officials shared. She entered OSF HealthCare’s foundation congregation, The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, in 1988. She was later elected into their Governing Board as Treasurer General in 2000. Sister Diane Marie worked within OSF HealthCare in several capacities until becoming president in 2006. She was 57 years old.

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker signed the state’s new budget last week. One of the issues 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says is a lack of funding for school maintenance. Senator Bennett says students are left behind…

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Vermilion County-jm) – Expanding Broadband access to all parts of Vermilion County is the goal of some local groups that feel there is much to gain.  Mike Marron, CEO of Vermilion Advantage, told members of the County Board’s Finance and Personnel Committee that there are parts of the county where accessibility to Broadband is “pretty lean”. University of Illinois Extension, Vermilion County Farm Bureau, and Vermilion Advantage are some of the key groups continuing to explore ways to expand Broadband access across all of Vermilion County.

(Sibley–dm)-The 20th annual Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive for Cancer is scheduled for July 6th. Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive  Event organizer Russ Tjarks tells us the route the tractors will be taking this year…

Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive for Cancer organizer Russ Tjarks.  If you want more information on the tractor drive, you may call Russ at 217-249-2377.

(Undated-jm) – There are several meetings around the area tonight. The Rantoul Township High School Board meets tonight at 6 where they will discuss their Title 1 Plan as well as the consolidated district plan and approve an agreement with the Rantoul Police Department on a school resource officer. At 7 tonight in Paxton the Ford County Board is expected to approve a homestead agreement. Also tonight at 7 in Gibson City leaders there will consider a facade grant for Mark’s on 1st, amend water and sewer rates and consider annexing 16 acres of property. Up in Iroquois County, Gilman leaders will consider liquor license renewals, approve their appropriation ordinance and discuss the 5th Street sewer project.

WPXN News notes…

The Champaign Urbana Elks will sponsor a free children's orthopedic assessment clinic on Wednesday, June 12th at the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Multi-Specialty Clinic in Urbana from 8:30-10:30 am. Appointments are required by calling 1-800-272-0074.

Onarga Townwide garage sales take place June 14th and 15th.

The 2024 Buckley Fun Day is set for Saturday, June 15th. The day begins with the Ladies Aid Bake Sale at 9, tractor show and vendor market from 10-2, live music 10:30-1, inflatables 10:30-1:30, kids games and golfing into the lake 10:30-2:30, 11-11:30 golf cart parade, food trucks 11-4, tractor parade 1-1:30, bingo and dunk donnie 1:30-2:30, bossie bingo at 2, kids tractor pull 3:30 and the duck race at 4:17.

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Hometown Heroes on Saturday, June 15th from 10-2.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold their foodmobile on Friday, June 14th from 9-10 am at the Fountain Valley Mobile Home park in Rantoul and from 10:30-11 am at the Ludlow Community Center.