(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have increased by 7.4 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching an average of $3.42 per gallon, according to a survey conducted by GasBuddy across 4,378 stations in the state. This marks a 2.6-cent increase from a month ago, although prices remain 53.2 cents lower than the same time last year. On a national level, the average price of gasoline has risen by 1.2 cents per gallon in the last week, now averaging $3.11 per gallon. Meanwhile, the national average price of diesel has seen a slight decrease of 0.1 cents, standing at $3.708 per gallon.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday to provide important data surrounding firefighter deaths. The Associated Firefighters of Illinois asked lawmakers to require the State Fire Marshal's office to track and record the manner of death for firefighters across the state. Sponsors said it is important to evaluate the types of death these first responders are experiencing, whether it is suicide or various types of cancer. Advocates said the law can improve firefighter safety, promote transparency for loved ones, and help the state develop recommendations to prevent further deaths and injuries.

 

(Mahomet–jc)  Illinois Governor J B Pritzker signed a new law banning C-Oh-2 sequestration and storage beneath the Mahomet Aquifer. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet has championed the measure to protect the water source for over 1 million people. Rose says the new law exists because of calls, emails and community support to protect the Mahomet Aquifer…

 

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet. The law was signed on Friday and goes into effect on January First of next year

 

(Paxton-jm) — Paxton first responders were called to a single vehicle accident Monday afternoon. It happened near the intersection of Routes 9 and 115 just before 4:30. There were no injuries.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City is warning residents of brown or discolored water in their city. Officials posted on Facebook that the discoloration is the result of unauthorized use of fire hydrants by contractors. Water was pulled from the city system in bulk without authorization from the city. They advised that if anyone’s water is discolored, they should run the water cold until it clears.

 

(Paxton–jc)  You can expect to see street work in Paxton this month. Projects using motor fuel tax money and general funds will start in the city, says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(ford county–jc)  A man from Colfax is due back in Ford County court on September 9 to face charges that accuse him of videotaping women and children in the restroom  at Birkeys Farm Store in Gibson City.  30 year old Jared  Clark of Colfax, is facing 12 counts of unauthorized videotaping.  The 12 counts against Clark were filed in Ford County Court on July 28th.

 

(Washington–jc)  Land Values across Illinois and the nation have increased. That includes not only farmland but pastures says U S D A Chief Economist Seth Meyer…

 

U S D A Chief Economist Seth Meyer

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Rantoul Village Leaders will look to authorize an engineering services agreement for a neighborhood sidewalks project when they meet in monthly study session tonight. The local council will also vote to sell surplus fire equipment. Rantoul leaders continue to be updated on the downtown  streetscape project. The Rantoul Village Board Study Session comes to order at 6 tonight in the board room on Tanner Street. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the Safe Routes to School program. Administered by I-DOT using federal taxpayer funds, Safe Routes to School advances projects to improve safety and reduce traffic in areas around schools. I-DOT said the new grant cycle will distribute a total of $12 million, with a maximum award of $250,000.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation Friday limiting the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and psychotherapy services. The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act prohibits anyone from using AI to provide mental health and therapeutic decision-making, while allowing the use of AI for administrative and supplementary support services for licensed behavioral health professionals.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The use of therapy dogs to assist individuals dealing with PTSD and anxiety is on the rise across the nation, with over 50,000 therapy dogs currently in service. In Illinois, a new law aims to further increase the availability of these supportive animals during times of crisis. State Senator Mary Edly-Allen has championed Senate Bill 1491, which mandates the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to develop a training course and certification program specifically for therapy dog teams that specialize in crisis and emergency response.

 

(Springfield–dm)- Officials from 14 states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration for restricting access to certain health care procedures for children with gender dysphoria. One of President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed to eliminate certain transgender medical procedures for youth under the age of 19. Among those suing is Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. He said they’re not looking to tell health providers what to offer, but merely working to protect their ability to offer what he called “gender affirming care” to youth

 

 

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raul. Illinois state Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, who is also a medical doctor, said the science is not settled and there are real concerns about lasting and irreversible impacts even with hormone treatments.

 

 

Illinois State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking help from the public in finding the people responsible for a burglary in Ogden. The crime happened at Rich’s Restaurant the morning of July 24. Two suspects forced entry into the business and tried, but failed, to pry open gaming machines inside. The suspects instead grabbed cash from the register and fled. The crime and suspects were recorded on the restaurant’s security cameras. The suspects were described as wearing: a black hat, tan face covering, brown long-sleeve shirt, black sweatpants with white lettering and black shoes. The other wore a black stocking cap, black face mask with white lettering, black long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and brown boots.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A garage in Champaign was hit by gunfire several times late last week. Although no injuries were reported, multiple residents, including several minors, were inside the home during the incident. Champaign Police officers responded near the area of N. Market and E. Roper Streets just before 10 p.m. on July 30 after a report that shots had been fired. Once on the scene, officers learned that a garage had been hit multiple times. The Champaign Police Department says it is unknown whether the shots were targeting the structure. Residents were home at the time, but no injuries were reported.

 

(Gilman–jc)  The Iroquois West school system has a new leader. Trent Eshlemann is the Iroquois West Schools Superintendent. Eshlemann says his new job started in July and plans are being made for the upcoming school year. Superintendent 

Eshlemann talks about the vision for the Iroquois West Schools…

 

 

Iroquois West School Superintendent Trent Eshlemann

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  A Multi-function printer contract is one topic for the Ford County Board Executive committee when they meet this afternoon in Paxton. Two hires for the county are also on the meeting agenda. They include a full time probation officer and a full time deputy clerk. The Ford County Executive Committee meets at 4-30 this afternoon in the sheriff’s boardroom at the county jail in Paxton. 

 

CHAMPAIGN –  Champaign Police Officials have released information from a traffic campaign conducted in July as  part of the statewide Speed Awareness Day. Enforcement efforts were conducted by Champaign Police with over 200 agencies in Illinois Champaign Police Chief Timothy T. Tyler said the joint focus of the event is to keep our communities safe from speeding and the real harm it can cause. The 53 hours of dedicated enforcement yielded 61 citations including 40 for speeding, 5 for driving without a license and two subjects wanted for outstanding warrants.

 

(Gilman–dm)-Every 5 years the city of Gilman holds their Old Boys and Girls Reunion.  This year’s Reunion starts on Thursday August 7th and goes through Sunday August 10th.  Gilman Old Boys and Girls Committee Chairman Robert Sinn tells us about Thursday's activities..

 

 

Gilman Old Boys and Girls Committee Chairman Robert Sinn

 

(The Center Square) – A Chinese battery plant in Manteno, in Kankakee County, that is getting state taxpayer support, isn’t producing electric vehicle batteries, according to a village trustee.  Instead, photos from local critics and a Wirepoints report show the Gotion facility is making batteries for data centers. The revelation is raising new concerns about national security. Wirepoints founder Mark Glennon warns that foreign-made components could enable spying or shutdowns of critical internet infrastructure. Gotion did not respond to multiple requests for comment about their data center battery production.  The plant, backed by $536 million in tax credits, Governor J.B. Pritzker approved, was originally pitched as an electric vehicle battery facility. At a recent village board meeting, Manteno Trustee CJ Boudreau said Gotion isn’t making EV batteries and is instead producing large-format batteries for data centers, with strong safety measures in place.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services is hosting a blood drive from 9am to 4pm on Friday August 8th at the hospital.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, August 8th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10 per plate and includes salad and garlic bread.

 

Downtown Gibson City will host its monthly Friday Night Car Cruise on Friday, August 8th, featuring classic cars cruising and parked along Sangamon Avenue, plus live music by Wowie Zowie from 6-9 p.m. and food vendors throughout the evening.

 

The Shop in the Park in Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, August 9th from 9-1. Activities include craft and vendors, live music and food.