(Springfield-jm) – Illinois corn farmers stand to benefit as the U.S. Grain Council continues to market ethanol worldwide. The Illinois Corn Growers Association says an investment  in the Council through checkoff funds is positioning Illinois farmers to achieve significant wins by tapping into these expanding markets. The Renewable Fuels Association reported that ethanol exports fell 7% in July. The 136 million gallons of ethanol exported in July was down when compared to the 145 million gallons exported the previous month, but up significantly from the 112 million gallons exported in July 2023. Renewable Fuels Association expects a record 2 billion gallons of U.S. ethanol to be exported this year. Last month, the U.S. Grains Council and the American Institute in Taiwan partnered to organize a conference on the use applications and sustainability benefits of ethanol in the transportation sector. Illinois is the second leading corn producer in the country, behind only Iowa.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is offering tax credits to help offset the high cost of back to school supplies. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the credits that are available and how you can take advantage of them...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Champaign-jm) – Two Champaign high schools are safe after a call reporting an active threat proved to be unfounded. Champaign Police were dispatched on September 9 at 2:01 p.m. when a 911 call was placed indicating a potential armed subject at Centennial High School. As the details of the call developed, the caller's story was found to have several inconsistencies. Multiple officers and the assigned School Resource Officer quickly swept the school to search for any signs of a threat to the safety of students or the facility. At the time of the search, very few students were present in the building, as school was released at 1:20 p.m. for a planned early dismissal day.

(Watseka–dm)-Since 1970, the Iroquois Economic Development Association has been working with new and existing businesses in Iroquois County.  Executive Director Angel Crawford has more information.

Iroquois Economic Development Association Executive Director Angel Crawford.  If you want more information you can call 815-432-0072

(Normal–jc)  –Illinois State University welcomed 4,285 First Time in College  students for the current academic year, its largest incoming class in the University's history, up 3 percent from last year. The new class of students is also the most diverse in school history and includes 450 new students in the Honors Program, also a record. Total enrollment is 21,546, marking a 2.7 percent increase over the previous year

(Paxton–jc )  – They started with 300 tickets and now they are down to around 50 tickets to sell. Paxton Masonic Lodge 416 will be giving out a vacation to Las Vegas, One thousand dollars cash and more prizes on Saturday September 21st downtown Paxton during the annual Swine and Dine. Paxton Masonic Lodge 416 spokesperson Jim Shearl provides ticket information...

Paxton Masonic Lodge 416 Spokesperson Jim Shearl.

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Agriculture will distribute nearly $525,000 over a three-year period to support the state's specialty crop industry, thanks to the 2024 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The 2018 Federal Farm Bill authorized funding for this program. Specialty Crop Block Grant funding is limited to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments. The largest grant went to the Illinois Specialty Growers Association.

(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois congressman is celebrating a taxpayer-funded grant for youth apprenticeships. The U.S. Department of Labor is spending $244 million this year on Apprenticeships Build America grants. Illinois' portion is $8 million, funded by federal taxpayers. The money is intended for schools to provide heavy equipment for training students. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said only one-third of Americans have a four-year college degree. In July of this year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $18 million in state-taxpayer funding of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The initiative aims to provide training opportunities, expand the talent pipeline, and boost diversity in the construction industry and building trades.

(Springfield-jm) – New tourism numbers are out and the state saw an increase in visitors last year. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares the details...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have fallen 10.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.52/g, according to GasBuddy. Prices in Illinois are 36.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 44.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. 

(Paxton–jc)  Numbers in the Paxton Buckley Loda School system is dropping by around twelve each year, but class size is stabilizing. Paxton Buckley loda School Superintendent Travis Duley provides more information on the numbers of students...

Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley

(Undated-jm) – Thousands gathered along the Union Pacific Railroad line Monday to catch a peak at a historic steam locomotive. "Big Boy" made its way from Watseka to Villa Grove yesterday evening. The "Big Boy" is a world war two locomotive.

(Champaign–dm)- Parvovirus has been in the news lately, and you may be thinking...isn't that a dog thing? Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare tells you why humans should pay attention.

 Doctor Kasper says Parvo usually resolves in a week...and the usual reminders will help: when sick, stay home, rest, hydrate, and practice good hygiene. You can take Tylenol for pain.

(Undated-jm) – To forge relationships and increase export sales of agricultural products, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will host 31 international buyers from nine different countries as part of a four-day tour. Buyers from Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, China and Vietnam will visit Illinois facilities this week. The 2023 Illinois Grain Tour had projected sales of more than $30 million.