(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois House Democrat has filed legislation to provide new protections for teachers and school staff receiving threats. Representative Marcus Evans told WAND News that people should face criminal charges if they threaten teachers, principals, or other school leaders. Teachers across the state have confronted school boards over recent years to address the rise in student violence. Yet, parents and guardians are also leaving many educators and administrators terrified to go to work. Evans said teachers, principals and administrators at public and private schools should receive the same protection as public officials and human service providers. Evans believes people threatening school staff should be charged with a Class 3 felony for their first offense. His bill calls for a Class 2 felony charge for a second or subsequent offense. He stressed there should be zero tolerance for violence.

 

(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. During a recent campaign stop Kelly told a group of supporters that one of her objectives in the campaign is to get money out of political campaigns to show it doesn't matter how much money you have you're still a viable candidate.  Despite that, a recent fundraising report shows Kelly has raised two million dollars since she announced her candidacy. In a recent interview with Capitol News Illinois, Kelly was asked how she plans to do that …

   

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.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The University of Illinois Division of Public Safety and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics have announced the installation of walk-through metal detection systems at all entrances of Memorial Stadium. This move comes as the university anticipates record crowds, with season tickets sold out for the first time in over two decades. Fans attending games at Memorial Stadium will experience an entry process similar to that of other major sports venues across the United States. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker announced last month he will be running for another term as Governor. This time however, he won’t have Juliana Stratton, the state’s current Lieutenant Governor, as his sidekick. Stratton announced she planned to run for the soon-to-be open U-S Senate seat held by retiring Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker announced Christian Mitchell will be his running mate. Mitchell sat down with Capitol News Illinois where he was asked about getting people on the same page and passing transformative projects in the state…

   

Illinois Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Urbana Patrol Officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle early Monday morning on the 1200 block of South Vine Street. Upon arrival, officers found a parked vehicle with two individuals inside. During the investigation, officers were exposed to an unknown liquid or substance, resulting in one officer losing consciousness. The officer was immediately transported to Carle Foundation Hospital. Additional officers at the scene were evaluated for potential exposure, treated, and later released. The two individuals in the vehicle were taken into custody. Chane Butler, 51, was arrested on the initial charge of possession of a controlled substance. Brianna Holloway, 35, was arrested on the initial charges of possession of a controlled substance and resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

 

(Pontiac–dm)-The77th annual Central States Thresherman’s Reunion takes place in Pontiac starting Thursday August 28th thru Monday September 1st.  Central States Thresherman’s Reunion President  Dave Herz tells us about some of the exhibits you can visit daily.

   

Central States Thresherman’s Reunion President Dave Herz 

 

The Center Square) – President Donald Trump plans to clean up major U.S. cities that he says are plagued by crime. Democrats see his plans to use military troops as a political power grab. Trump has long decried the crime and conditions inside large U.S. cities, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. He has taken action to address crime with federal troops over the objection of local leaders already in Los Angeles and the nation's capitol. Chicago and New York could be next.

 

(Illinois–dm)-Illinois ranks 42nd in a report ranking the Hardest Working States in America. WalletHub compared the 50 states across 10 key metrics, including average workweek hours, share of workers with multiple jobs and annual volunteer hours. North Dakota ranked first. Michigan finished last.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker has directed that all flags covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act be flown at half-staff in honor of Patriot Day. The Department of Central Management Services received notice from the governor to lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by agency personnel. The flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

 

(Paxton–dm)-For almost two years the Paxton Foundation has been working on the Crown on the Town Project, this is the project to set the tank on the old water tower.  The Project is scheduled to be completed this Wednesday August 27th. Weather permitting.  Paxton Foundation President Royce Baier tells us what the plans are.

 

Paxton Foundation President Royce Baier

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public's help in solving an armed robbery that occurred on August 2. At approximately 12:02 a.m., two individuals who connected through a dating app met in person. Shortly after their meeting, one of the individuals brandished a firearm, pointed it at the other, and demanded money. The suspect fled the scene with the victim's wallet, keys, and cellphone. Authorities are seeking assistance in identifying the suspect, described as a Black male, approximately 28 to 30 years old, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a baseball cap, gray jacket, white t-shirt, and gray pants, with short black hair and a short, thin beard.

 

(Mahomet-jm) – A man was arrested in Mahomet over the weekend after prosecutors said he set fire to his own home in a suburb of Chicago, endangering his neighbors in the process, and then led State Police on a chase along I-74. According to WCIA 3, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office released a statement that said Eric Neuman, 52, is facing charges of aggravated arson, arson and criminal damage to property. The charges stem from a house fire and explosion in Carol Stream early Saturday morning.  Carol Stream Police said in a news release of their own that officers responded around 4:30 a.m. to a report of a residential structure fire. Once they arrived, officers found the home “heavily involved in fire.” Neuman fled the home in another vehicle, prosecutors said. Later in the day, at 10:35 a.m., Neuman was located in the Bloomington/Morton area and he allegedly led State Troopers on a chase eastbound on I-74. The chase ended in Mahomet.

 

(USDA–dm)-August is a perfect time for home and property owners to check trees for signs of Asian Longhorned Beetle, but how to go about it? Rod Bain has some answers

 

 

(Illinois–dm)-U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros has announced the creation of a new section within the office’s criminal division dedicated to the prosecution of health care fraud. The new section will target false and fraudulent claims by transnational criminal organizations, upcoding and unbundling schemes, scams against Medicare and Medicaid, and more. Boutros said health care fraud is among the Department of Justice’s top fraud enforcement priorities.

 

(Illinois–dm)-Illinois State Police arrested five individuals during a human trafficking demand suppression operation in the Forsyth area of Macon County last Thursday and Friday. Four Illinois residents and one from Iowa were charged with crimes which included traveling to meet a child, solicitation and grooming. If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733.? For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.? You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.?