(Springfield-jm) – Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar announced a cancer diagnosis on Monday. Edgar served two terms as Illinois governor, succeeding Jim Thompson in 1990. He announced his retirement from politics in 1997 near the end of his second term in the governor's office.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers continue to push for more regulatory control of pharmacy benefit managers, or P-B-Ms. They  act as third-party “middlemen” who negotiate the price pharmacies and insurance companies pay for prescription drugs from the manufacturers. Their role is supposed to involve negotiating the cost of drugs to save patients money, but critics contend they are actually driving costs up. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker says he is working on a prescription drug affordability Act…

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that more than 4 thousand 2 hundred drugs saw an increase of more than 15 percent.

 

(Rantoul–dm)-The Community Service Center of Rantoul along with Meijer Stores are teaming up for a Double Match Day this Saturday March 1st.  Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford has more information.

   

Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford.  You can pick up your $10 donation cards at Meijers located at 2401 N. Prospect Ave. Champaign to provide food for families in Northern Champaign County.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Monday marked the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, so dozens of University of Illinois students and staff members rallied on the Main Quad, asking for peace and hoping to spread awareness. They also want to protect Ukrainian war refugees and reject what they call “American resource blackmail.” Many of those who rallied on the Quad were born and raised in Ukraine and now know people fighting on the front lines.

 

(Champaign–dm)Champaign County housing market sees rising prices amid tight inventory in January.  WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has more on this story.

   

(Champaign-jm) – Help is returning to those who need assistance with income tax filing. The University of Illinois’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is back to offer free tax assistance to low-income, gross income less than $67,000, elderly, disabled, and limited English speaking taxpayers. Those interested should bring ID and tax documents to Salt & Light on Philo Road in Urbana during assistance drop-off hours. No appointment is necessary.

 

(Paxton–dm)-There are a group of people showing interest in starting a new Rotary Club in Paxton.  District Governor Elect John Calderon has more information.

   

District Governor Elect John Calderon. Another informational meeting is being planned in March.  If you would like more information you can call John Calderon 

 

(Loda–jc)  – One local company is expanding its operations in the village of Loda. The  Weber Fertilizer-Trucking Company is in the process of adding a  new fertilizer blending plant. The building sits on the company's property in the village just off Route 45.  The Weber company has been in business  as a leading fertilizer specialist serving Iroquois and Ford counties since 1965.

 

(The Center Square) – From July of last year to now, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has received over $63 million in Illinois taxpayer funds, according to the Illinois Comptroller vendor payment system. The group also received nearly $4 million of taxpayer money this month for Illinois Welcoming Centers. State Representative Adam Niemerg, Republican from Dieterich, suggested the federal Department of Government Efficiency come to the state of Illinois and uncover this “ridiculousness” and see how tax dollars are really being spent.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new bill in Springfield could allow sexual assault survivors to use vouchers to pay for taxis or rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Sponsors and advocates believe this is another way to help people going through trauma. The state currently requires treatment hospitals to provide vouchers to pay for ambulance, forensic, lab, and follow-up healthcare services for survivors. This plan would allow people to use the voucher to help get transportation to and from hospitals or other treatment centers. Although, some Republicans are concerned about the cost for survivors to use rideshare services. The Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services caps the current vouchers at $1,000 per service.

 

(Springfield–jc)  There has been a national movement for more Pharmacy Business Managers, regulation. The Trump administration is taking steps to meet with pharmaceutical companies to examine P-B-Ms and discuss reforms to possibly eliminate P-B-Ms.  Conner Rose with the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association said a study by the Federal Trade Commission looked favorable on P-B-Ms…

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association Spokesperson Conner Rose

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Regional Office of Education announced that it will not be filling the vacancy on the Unit 4 Board of Education created by the resignation of Sam Banks. This decision comes as the district anticipates a significant change in the composition of the school board following the upcoming election on April 1. With five out of seven board seats up for election, the Regional Office of Education believes that appointing a temporary member would be disruptive to the board's long-term planning and governance.

 

(Washington–jc)  what are the trends in the cattle market across the state and nation as we head into March. U-S-D-A Livestock analyst Mike McConnell looks at the trends…

 

 

U-S-D-A Livestock Analyst Mike McConnell

 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating after they said a student was sexually assaulted at a fraternity house. The police department sent two Campus Safety Alerts to the campus community regarding this incident, which happened early Thursday morning. The first alert said a student had been fondled early Thursday morning, with the exact location unknown to law enforcement. The second was sent after police learned new information over the weekend. Officials said they now consider the incident on Thursday to be an act of rape.

 

(Rantoul–jc) – With the ground breaking ceremony complete, the John Paul Buzzard Pipe Organ company continues the building phase of a new warehouse in the village of Rantoul. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the company brings with it a soon to be built warehouse and dozens of local jobs…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith. John Paul Buzzard started the pipe organ company in 1980 with the hopes of building the best pipe organs in the nation, with the best professional service. 

 

CHAMPAIGN - The City of Champaign invites residents, businesses, and community members to share their vision for the future of Downtown Champaign with input on-line The information gathered will help guide the Planning and Development Department in updating the 20-06 Downtown Plan and creating a shared vision for future change in the community. A Downtown Plan is an important tool for the City of Champaign and community stakeholders to guide private investment, capital improvement projects, and programming priorities within Downtown Champaign and surrounding neighborhoods. Anyone is welcomed and encouraged to share their perspectives and ideas for the future of Downtown Champaign – not just those who live or work downtown. The community input survey is available in both English and Spanish.

 

(Chicago–jc)  A recall has been issued for frozen shakes sold to nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Illinois and 20 other states after an outbreak of listeria was linked to several deaths. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the supplemental shakes are sold under the Lyon ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial brands. According to the FDA, the shakes are responsible for at least 38 people falling ill in 21 states, with 37 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.

 

(Loda–jc)  A craft show and bake sale are coming to the Loda American Legion on the second Saturday in March. Loda American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Eilts says the event starts at 9am at the Loda American Legion on Saturday March 8th…

Loda American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Eilts

 

(Springfield–jc)  –For the first time in Illinois, the Secretary of State’s office is making Electronic Lien and Titling available when purchasing a vehicle from a participating dealer. The new program allows vehicle titles to be processed, stored and released digitally, eliminating the need for paperwork and in-person visits to a DMV facility. Illinois joins 25 other states that provide the service.

 

(Buckley–jc)  A new restaurant in Buckley is bringing back good meals and good conversation. Cindy’s Roadside Cafe is open from 6am to 2pm Mondays through Fridays. Owner Cindy Thielman says it’s all your breakfast favorites in the morning, lunch specials each day, and it’s all “homemade” goods…

 

Cindy’s Roadside Cafe Co–Owner Cindy Thielman