(Springfield-jm) –  A plan awaiting final action from Governor JB Pritzker could address maternal healthcare deserts by empowering certified nurse midwives. The proposal could allow midwives to provide home birth services if they have a written collaborative agreement with local doctors or other healthcare providers. Advanced practice registered nurses certified as midwives would also have the ability to provide out-of-hospital births if they have been granted clinical privileges from a birth center.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker signed two bills focused on gun safety into law this week. Capitol News Illinois reports the Safe Gun Storage Act requires firearm owners to keep them in a locked container around minors, at-risk people, and anyone who can’t own a gun. Governor Pritzker says the law will help prevent gun deaths, suicides and accidental shootings…

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The other law requires police to use a federal firearm tracing program on guns believed to be used in a crime or found at a crime scene.

 

(Undated-jm) – One of Central Illinois' largest car shows, the Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show, is set to roll into the capital city this week. The festivities kick off with the Friday Night Cruise, where classic cars will parade around Springfield starting at 6 p.m. The main car show will take place on Saturday. Adding to the excitement, Erik Estrada, star of the television series "C.H.I.P.S.," will make a special appearance at this year's event

 

(Springfield–jc)  Errors in the way the state of Illinois hands out SNAP benefits could cost Illinois taxpayers 700 million dollars annually. 53rd District State Senator  Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon, says the state needs to do a better job…

 

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois state workers are getting raises faster and making 9.5% more in salary than private sector workers. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois public sector pay has grown 57% faster than private sector pay between 2021 and 2024. State government employees now make an average salary of $85,689.

 

(Washington–jc)  –Producers in local Farm Service Agency areas have until August First submit to nominate candidates for upcoming FSA County Committee elections. Rod Bain reports…

 

(Normal–jc)  – Illinois State University raised a record $44.5 million in private support during fiscal year 2025, reflecting the strength of its mission, the trust of its community, and commitment to students, academic excellence, and long-term impact. More than 13,500 donors, including alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends, and organizations, contributed to students and programs. I S U Officials say this is the highest level of success in the school's 168-year history. The 2025 milestone surpasses the previous record of $37.3 million set in 2019. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill on Governor JB Pritzker's desk could allow people to have easier access to sterile hypodermic needles and syringes. The plan requires pharmacies to sell sterile syringes and needles if they are in stock. Sponsors said pharmacists would be able to use their professional judgment to sell the equipment to any customer for proper utilization or administration of medications. The bill was filed after a constituent was unable to receive the medical equipment from their pharmacist.

 

(Washington-jm) – Three Democratic candidates are vying to replace retiring U-S Senator Dick Durbin. One of those is Representative Robin Kelly, whose district extends from the southeast side of Chicago to all of Iroquois, most of Ford, the northern half of Vermilion and the northern third of Champaign Counties. Kelly describes herself as a doer and go-getter. In an interview with Capitol News Illinois, she talks about some of the things she’s accomplished…

 

U-S Senate candidate and current U-S Representative Robin Kelly. Her opponents in the primary are current Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and U-S Representative Raja Krishnamorthi.

 

(Urbana-jm) – In Tuesday’s continued pretrial hearing, it was decided that an Urbana man accused of shooting a man dead in Champaign on the Fourth of July will remain in custody while awaiting a trial. The detention hearing was a continuation of the hearing that began on Friday. At that meeting, Rynell Frazier pleaded not guilty, requested a trial by jury and waived his preliminary hearing. Frazier is accused of firing multiple shots that struck 32-year-old Martez Jones Jr. of Urbana in the 1900 block of W Bradley Ave. Jones later succumbed to his injuries sustained in the shooting at Carle Hospital.

 

(The Center Square) – Gun owners in Illinois are now required to lock up their firearms with a new law Governor J.B. Pritzker signed on Monday. Senate Bill 8 is known as The Safe Gun Storage Act. Illinois State Rifle Association spokesperson Ed Sullivan says one part of the new law is “unconstitutional”...

 

Illinois State Rifle Association Spokesperson Ed Sullivan. The issue is already being challenged in the court system. 

 

(Springfield–jc)--The Illinois Commerce Commission is encouraging Northern Illinois Gas Company  customers to publicly comment on the utility’s proposed rate hike at a hearing in Elgin Thursday evening. Nicor filed a request for a $308.6 million general increase in January 2025. Customers unable to attend the hearing may submit comments via the ICC website or call the Consumer Services Division.

 

(Washington–jc)  What does the crop look like locally, around the state and nation? U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the answer…

 

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

 

(Las Vegas–jc)  –A study by a Las Vegas law firm has revealed that Illinois has the second-highest gun violence rate across America. Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers analyzed shooting incident data between 2014 and 2024 via The Trace database. Illinois had 288 shooting incidents per 100,000 residents, second only to Louisiana.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their Family Dinner on Friday, August 1st from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes fish, chicken or shrimp plus 2 sides.

 

Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays Concert Series on Friday, August 1st at Veterans Square. Back in Time, a band performing your favorites from the 60s, 70s and 80s will perform.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree on Saturday, August 2nd from 10-2.

 

The Bement Country Opry will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday, August 2nd at 7pm. Dinner will be served starting at 5:30pm.

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Tuesday, August 5th from 9-930 at the St. Joseph library, 10-10:30 at the old high school ballpark in Ogden, 11-11:30 at the Homer post office, 12:30-1 at the Sidney community building, 1:30-2 at the Philo village office and from 2:30-3pm at The Oaks at Tolono.