(Springfield-jm) – A new task force could be created to find out why rural hospitals are closing in a newly proposed plan. The bill was filed by freshman Rep. Amy Murri Briel of Ottawa. According to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, across the U.S. nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed in the past two decades. Lawmakers could consider this bill when they return to Springfield next week.

(Springfield-jm) – Some community colleges and universities are closed across the state as frigid temperatures continue across Central Illinois. Now, there's a new law making sure all employees get paid their daily, regular salary anyway. Senator Doris Turner introduced the legislation after she said someone told her they didn't get paid when their school was closed during a winter weather emergency. She said the new bill will hopefully bring some clarity to ensure all higher education programs are unified and follow the same rules. Before, she said the decision of whether employees were paid or not was up to the specific college or university.

(Gibson City–jc)  Its a frigid cold day, but in Mid August, one nationally known rock band will be in downtown Gibson City for the annual Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Summer Bash.  This is the 5th year for the annual concert. Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby says Foreigner is coming to Ford County...

Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby. The 10 dollar general admission tickets go on sale on Friday. Special area tickets also go on sale this Friday. 

(Kankakee County-jm) – Kankakee County Circuit Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott sentenced convicted cop-killer Darius Sullivan to life in prison for the 2021 shooting death of Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and for seriously wounding her then-partner, Officer Tyler Bailey.

(Undated-jm) — Average gasoline prices in Illinois have risen 2.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.23/g, according to GasBuddy. Prices in Illinois are 0.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 2.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

(Decatur–jc) Newly elected 88th District State Representative Regan Deering of Decatur says tackling a budget hole of 3 point 7 Billion dollars is priority one for lawmakers in Springfield. That process has started, but no real solutions are being put out there by the Democrats in the majority. Deering says being a conservative Republican, she wants to see the money for education and agriculture, while making needed cuts in "big government"...

88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur

(Springfield–jc)  –Yesterday, Governor J-B Pritzker announced $14.7 million in federal grant funding will be used to extend the state's Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. The money will be used this summer, and will be awarded to the existing 15 providers. Under the program, lead agencies such as food banks and non-profit organizations receive grant funds to purchase food from underserved farmers at a fair market value which is then provided at no cost to food-insecure communities. The Eastern Illinois Foodbank in Champaign-Urbana and the Bloomington based Midwest Food Bank are two providers receiving the funding. 

(Paxton–jc)  with the frigid temperatures, one thing to avoid are frozen and broken pipes in your home or business. Paxton Hardware's Scott Allen says there are several ways to insulate those pipes for these cold winter days...

Paxton Hardware and Rental Store Owner Scott Allen

(Springfield-jm) – Gov. JB Pritzker signed a historic bill into law Tuesday to eliminate the state's subminimum wage and improve work opportunities for people with disabilities. The Dignity in Pay Act will phase out subminimum wage authorizations by December 31, 2029. A federal law from 1938 has allowed people with developmental and intellectual disabilities to receive subminimum wages from organizations with 14-C certificates. This law will make Illinois the 19th state to eliminate the practice and improve life for workers with disabilities.

(Springfield-jm) – The Attorney General of Illinois is among those filing lawsuits against President Donald Trump in response to the executive order on birthright citizenship he signed Monday. Kwame Raoul joined his counterparts in Washington state, Oregon and Arizona in filing a lawsuit against Trump, the Departments of State and Homeland Security and others on Tuesday. Their lawsuit argues that the executive order violates the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and that the president does not have a constitutional power to determine who should and should not be granted U.S. citizenship at birth.

(Paxton–jc)  The Pueblo Lindo Restaurant banquet Center is the venue for the Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club "glo bingo" fundraising event in February. Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club President Nicole Miller says this year's funds will go towards track equipment at P-B-L schools...

Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club President Nicole MillerThe group is looking for sponsorships for the event and tickets are available for the February 22nd event. Doors open that evening at 5-30. 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department and Champaign County Crime Stoppers are asking for help in finding the person who committed an armed robbery last month. The robbery happened on December 5 at the Circle K gas station at 1503 North Neil Street. Officials said that at 8:35 p.m. three people were walking to their car when they were approached by a man wearing a black mask and all black clothing. The suspect spoke to the trio briefly before pulling a gun, pointing it at the victims and demanding their wallets and purse.Officials added that the suspect had a medium build and was approximately 5? 6? to 5? 7? tall. After robbing the trio, he fled the area with their property.

(Illinois–jc)  –A former cannabis executive allegedly used insider information obtained from his employment to purchase shares of a rival cannabis company.A federal indictment accuses Antony Marsico of Bartlett of obtaining non-public information about his company's agreement to buy a rival company.Prosecutors said Marsico used the information to purchase more than 900,000 shares of stock. He later sold the stock for a $607,000 profit before it was publicly announced that the potential sale fell through.

(Rantoul–jc)  One local civic group is partnering with Meijer Stores to support the local food pantry in town. Rantoul based Community Service Center says now through March 29th, those shopping at the North Prospect Meijer Store in Champaign can pick up a 10 dollars donation simply give card to help with the local food pantry in Rantoul. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says all donations help with programs, just like the holiday bureau this past December...

Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford. The local group has a daily food pantry and the Eagles Nest Food Pantry for students at Rantoul Township High School.

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has announced that four additional professions are now available for licensure through the department's new online licensing system. 

The Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment, or CORE, was introduced by the agency last October. Officials said the agency will transition all licensing procedures to CORE in a phased implementation process over the next two years.

The four new license types are Licensed Behavior Analyst, Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst, Behavior Analyst Continuing Education Sponsor and Licensed Certified Professional Midwife.

(Washington–jc)  What is the latest on milk marketing amendments in the nation's capital.  Dana Coale of the Agricultural Marketing Service goes over the activity of the past two months associated with industry consideration of Federal Milk Marketing Order amendments..

Agricultural Marketing Services Spokesperson Dana Coale