(The Center Square) – Of the nearly 300 new laws that took effect in Illinois on New Year's Day, two measures impact mosquito abatement. State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, sponsored SB 3342, which requires 24-hour notice before state or local governments apply a pesticide to a public right-of-way.  The bill's House sponsor, state Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, explained the penalties local governments would face if they fail to comply.?"$250 for the first violation, $500 for the second, and a thousand for the third or subsequent violation," Faver Dias said. State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, questioned Faver Dias about hornets nests or other cases which might require quick action.

(Undated–jc)  – Loan amounts from the state of Illinois to certain groups are increasing in the new year. The legislation now increases the amount the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity can loan for minority, veteran, female and disability loans. The total increases from $400,000 to $2 million.

(Champaign–jc)  The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a single-family home in the 1300 block of Winding Lane in the city on Tuesday night  Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire.    All the occupants were out of the building at the time of the fire department arrival.  Crews deployed multiple hose lines to extinguish the fire.   The cause of this fire is not determined 

(Paxton–jc)  –  The city of Paxton continues to work on distressed properties within the city limits and the council gave its ok to start the selling process. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about several properties that will be available for purchase...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Champaign County–jc)  The Martin Luther King Junior Champaign  Countywide Committee and the. Advocacy for Justice Committee are pleased to announce the names of those being honored at the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration on January 19,.  Three community members will be honored with a prestigious award in recognition of their work to uphold the principles and ideals of Dr. King including:

• Tracy Dace - James R. Burgess/Susan Freiburg Humanitarian Award

• Donna Tanner-Harold - Doris Hoskins Prestigious Community Service Award

• Terry Townsend - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration will take place at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts  in Urbana on Sunday January 19,at 4pm. 

(Springfield-jm) – A new law taking effect today gives the Illinois Emergency Management Agency more authority. Senate Bill 3434 amended the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, authorizing IEMA and the agency's Office of Homeland Security to adopt rules for the implementation of their state-funded grant programs. The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, said the intention was to give IEMA the authority to move more swiftly. Opponents said the measure allows Illinois' emergency authority to continue under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration and gives more power while lacking proper transparency and oversight. They say Pritzker has declared emergencies of over three years for COVID and over two years for asylum seekers, even though emergency declarations are supposed to be short-term in nature.

(Paxton–jc)  The city of Paxton community Christmas tree continues its reign in the downtown area of the city. Soon the tree will be gone, but the tradition of a downtown Christmas tree for Paxton will continue. Paxton Service Club Spokesperson Judy Ondercho says anyone with a potential tree, should contact the Paxton Service Club or city hall...

Paxton Service Club Spokesperson Judy Ondercho

Livingston County, IL - The Livingston County Health Department  announces the scheduling of its Free Smoking Cessation Classes for 2025. These classes are perfect for those wishing to quit smoking or vaping. Group classes are held at the Institute for Human Resources  in Pontiac. The first class is scheduled for January 8, 15, and 22, at 4:00p.m. Those interested in attending the three-part series should call the Livingston County Health Department at 815-844-7174 to register.

(The Center Square) – With Illinois legislators scheduled back to the capitol Saturday, Jan. 4, some are watching what the lame duck session could mean for gun control laws. During the previous lame duck session in early January 2023, legislators approved the ban on certain semi-automatic firearms and magazines. That measure continues to be challenged in the courts. Before adjourning the fall veto session last month, state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, said legislators should approve an expansion of the state's red flag law.

Beginning Jan. 1, a new law will require vehicles entering a construction or maintenance zone to reduce speed and change into a lane that is not adjacent to construction workers, when possible.   

(Springfield–jc)  –– In the wake of another Illinois state trooper's death, officials continue to attempt to strengthen the state's Move Over law, or Scott's Law.

Trooper Clay Carns was killed the day before Christmas Eve when a vehicle struck him while he was removing debris from I-55 in Will County. The driver was charged with violating Scott's Law, a class 4 felony, and was also issued multiple citations in connection with the crash. As of yesterday, Scott's Law now  includes construction zones. On Wednesday morning, a crash along Interstate 74 in Champaign county also involved a fire truck from the St Joseph Stanton Fire Protection District. At a crash, a vehicle struck the emergency vehicle at the scene of a crash. That vehicle now must be repaired. Luckily, no one was injured in the accident.

(Washington–jc)  – It's January and snow is on its way in a large part of the country.  U-S-D-A meteorologist Brad Rippey says chances of snowfall are increasing through this weekend....

U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

(Kankakee–jc) An early New Year's day shooting in Kankakee County has left two people dead. Police say the shooting happened at a rental house in the city. The two killed were 22 year old  Quaysean  Isom, and 20 year old Trevontae Ellis. Several others were treated at Kankakee area hospitals. No details about the shootings were provided.

(The Center Square) – John Howard Association Executive Director Jennifer Vollen-Katz is calling for major changes within the criminal justice system as data show Blacks now make up more than half of all prison inmates despite accounting for just 14% of the state's overall population. Data from Prison Policy Initiative show 53% of Illinois' prison population in 2021 were Black.The 2021 data shows 51% of the state's jail population was Black while only making up 14% of the state's overall population.

(Springfield–jc)  – The Illinois Department of Public Health  announced that a number of new laws and rules designed to strengthen the public health system are now in effect. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the details

(Springfield–jc) Over the last year jobs increased in 7 metropolitan areas of Illinois and decreased in 7 others. The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-UrbanaRantoul metro area with nearly 2 percent in job growth. The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Danville  with a 2 percent decrease.Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago Metropolitan Division were down  slightly