(Springfield-jm) – The Department of Healthcare and Family Services has announced that all child support collected on behalf of Illinois’ low-income families with children who are current or former Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients will be passed through to the family and will no longer be retained by the state. As of July 1, any amount of child support that was collected and retained by the Division of Child Support Services between Jan. 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024, will be passed through to the family. With this change, Illinois will become the first state in the nation to unconditionally ensure all families receive 100% of the child support that is paid.
(Springfield-jm) – Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a plan into law requiring insurance companies to cover mental health care for people healing from miscarriage or stillbirth. Illinois currently requires insurance coverage for mental, emotional, nervous and substance use treatments for pregnant people through delivery, postpartum and neonatal care. House Bill 5282 adds coverage for individuals needing those services as a result of a miscarriage or stillbirth. Sponsors said the grief that people experience can trigger anxiety, stress, depression or substance abuse.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA has revealed the latest on the corn crop. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey…
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USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.
(Loda-jm) – The 6th Annual Huntington’s Disease Team Hope Walk and Annual Huntington’s Disease Golf Outing & Dinner, it will be on Saturday, September 7th. The Huntington’s Disease Charity Event will be at Lakeview Country Club, in Loda. We will start the day, at 8am, with the Team Hope Walk and Kids Zone Area, followed by a Golf Outing and will end the evening with cocktail hour, dinner, silent auction and awards.
(Urbana–jc) A huge national music concert is set for tomorrow night at the Champaign County Fair Champaign County Fair Spokesperson Bob Barker says you are invited to see Josh Turner on Friday night at the fair in Urbana
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Champaign County Fair Spokesperson Bob Barker
(Thomasboro-jm) – One major highway in Central Illinois is getting more than $1 million in safety upgrades. U.S. Highway 45 will be installing new lights from Flatville to Leverett Roads in Thomasboro. This is part of their highway safety improvements. The safety improvement project will help by installing new lights at 14 rural intersections on a four-mile stretch.
(Paxton–jc) An Impact Life blood drive is set for the First Lutheran Church in Paxton later today. Blood drive coordinator Kevin Hanson says more donors are needed and you may schedule a time or just show up from 1-30 to 5pm on Thursday…
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Impact Life-Paxton Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson
(Gilman-jm) – Dollar General is announcing their new store at 710 South Crescent Street in Gilman is now open. According to the company, the recently relocated and updated DG Market format will expand their selection to include fresh meats, fruits and vegetables along with all the other Dollar General items customers expect.
(Urbana–jc) Feeling tired all the time no matter what you do? Is it making it difficult to enjoy life? You might want to talk to your health care provider about chronic fatigue syndrome. O-S-F’s Tim Ditman has the story…
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(Champaign County-jm) – In June 2024, Champaign County home sales totaled 233 units, a significant drop of 34% from the 353 sales in June 2023. Year-to-date, home sales are down 10.1% compared to 2023, with 1,145 homes sold in 2024 compared to 1,274 through June 30, 2023. The median home sale price in June 2024 rose 5% to $241,500 from $230,000 in June 2023. Similarly, the average home sale price increased by 8% to $271,889 from $252,356 in June 2023. Homes sold quickly in June, with an average market time of 21 days. Statewide, home sales declined by 16.7% compared to June 2023, while median prices rose by 8%, according to Illinois REALTORS® data.
(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law will expand mental health coverage for first responders and their families. The plan requires every self-insured county and municipality to cover marriage and couples counseling for police and firefighters. This change will apply to local first responders, Illinois State Police, university law enforcement and their families.
(Springfield-jm) – A new state law will allow more people to get help from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The law will expand LIHEAP eligibility to people living in subsidized housing and anyone spending no more than 30% of their household income on rent. This change will also apply to people who pay for energy services through their monthly rent.
(Washington-jm) – The latest soybean progress report has been released. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the details…
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USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.
(Paxton-jm) – A former Roberts man was sentenced to 14 years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges filed in both 2022 and 2023 of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Tony Cole, 46, pleaded guilty and received the sentence in Ford County court.
(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Board of Health voted Wednesday to terminate the contract of public health administrator Eric Ceci. The vote came after several complaints were lodged against him. The decision was not unanimous as it came down to a 4-2 vote.
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County Emergency Management Agency is there to conduct strategic emergency planning and also mitigate property losses and save lives in emergency situations. Ford County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Terry Whitebird says they are happy to meet with groups to providing weather radios and more…
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Ford County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Terry Whitebird
More information is found by calling 217-379-9415
(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man is behind bars awaiting trial for allegedly raping a 16 year old. A Champaign County judge ruled 29 year old Troy Stewart must remain in jail while he awaits his trial after he allegedly raped the 16 year old at his boyfriends home.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois added a new tax starting July 1st that some say could have major implications on the state’s economy. The state increased the tax on sports betting to a progressive structure which Republicans, including 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City say could impact the state’s economy…
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53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – After months of negotiating, Parkland Community College has made a deal with its support staff. The Parkland Professional Support Staff Association has reached a tentative agreement with the college. The agreement has not yet been shared with members, so the association did not share any further details of the agreement. Officials with the association will hold a ratification vote with their members in the coming weeks.
WPXN News Notes…
Impact life will hold a blood drive today from 1:30-5 at First Lutheran Church Paxton.
Tonight at the Champaign County Fair its the pro rodeo at 7.
