Urbana–jc-)--Champaign County Coroner Laurie  has released the name of an individual who fatally injured in a a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate-57 in Coles County on December 13th. 42 year old Alicia J. Barks,  of Chicago, died att Carle Hospital on Saturday.An autopsy has been scheduled.   The crash continues to be investigated by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.  

 

(Springfield-jm) — Illinois will soon be one of the first states to provide universal mental health screenings for young children and teens. Sponsors believe the law will help students and families get the support they urgently need. Legislation taking effect January 1 requires public schools to offer age-appropriate confidential mental health screenings to identify mental health concerns and link students to support. Students in grades three through 12 will participate in screenings once per school year. Parents and guardians will have the ability to opt out of screenings if they do not want their child to participate.

 

(USDA–dm)- If you are getting an early start to holiday travel before Christmas,  you might be wondering if  weather might play a part in your travel plans? Rod Bain has the details.

 

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – Vermilion County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. Assessments in Vermilion County are at 33.36% of market value, based on sales of properties in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The equalization factor currently being assigned is for taxes, 2025 payable in 2026.

 

(Urbana-jm) – One person is dead, a University of Illinois Police officer is injured and a suspect is on the run following an accident on campus Saturday. Police say a red Buick was going the wrong direction on Mathews at Green Street when they struck a University of Illinois Police officer's vehicle that was on patrol. The impact sent the Buick into a crowd of people waiting to cross Green Street. 22 year old Perry Lee was taken to Carle Hospital where they later died. The U of I police officer was also taken to the hospital. The suspect fled on foot.

 

(Hoopeston–dm)-Every year since 2013 the City of Hoopeston turns McFerren Park into a Christmas spectacle.  Lights in the Park Chairman Russ Leigh tells us it is a community effort.

 

Lights in the Park Chairman Russ Leigh

 

(Illinois–dm)-The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has filed federal lawsuits against four jurisdictions, including Illinois, for failing to produce their full voter registration lists. The suits against Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia and the District of Columbia bring the nationwide number to 22. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said states need to provide the information so the DOJ can protect American citizens from vote dilution.

 

(Illinois–jc)  –Gas  prices in East Central and Central Illinois are at their lowest since 20-20. But as low as gas prices are in Illinois, prices are even lower in neighboring states. The state of Illinois, state gas tax is 48 point 3 cents per gallon. The state’s gas tax on diesel is just over 54 cents per gallon. Gas is also taxed at 6 point 25 percent and some local taxes are also added. Gas averages around the state have dipped below 3 dollars per gallon. Closer to home, gas prices in Champaign and Urbana are around 2 dollars 59 cents a gallon. Rantoul and Paxton are close to the state average. Prices in Kankakee average around 2-69 per gallon. Gas in Tuscola is 2-57 per gallon this morning

 

(Champaign County-jm) — One person was hospitalized after a one vehicle crash along Interstate 57 in Champaign County on Saturday morning. Police say the accident happened just south of Rantoul. Preliminary information indicates the vehicle had run off the roadway and struck a fence. One person was transported to the hospital during this incident. Traffic was slowed for several hours

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – An Iroquois man is now serving a 7 year sentence. Johnathan Schill received a seven year prison term, pleading guilty in two separate cases.  Schill has been in custody since spring of this year.  The prison term stems from a charge of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon - by a Felon. Watseka Police arrested him for possession of  a .45 caliber handgun discharged near a Watseka witness' home.  Schill was also sentenced to three years in prison forr Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a police officer.  It was in June, 2024 when Schill refused to stop his motorcycle for police and instead fled from officers exceeding speeds over 60 mph in 25 mph zones on residential streets in Watseka.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Some repair work at the Paxton Water Plant was cited and repaired, but new relays are needed. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the company made the repairs this month, but city officials will look at options going forward in Janury…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold 

 

(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City, City Council will hold their monthly meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of a down payment of $13,300 for a new garage at the sewer plant, and adopting the 2025 Ford County Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan.  Also on the agenda are considerations of approving the execution of  TIF agreements  between the City and One Earth Sequestration LLC and between the city and One Earth Energy LLC. The meeting will be held at the city council chambers starting at 7pm

 

(Champaign–dm)- A chronic condition like arthritis or brain fog is a lot to handle on its own. So it’s not surprising that long term physical conditions can spawn mental health concerns. Luckily, mental health professionals have ways that you and your loved ones can make the best of the situation and find the right balance of help and independence. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.

 

 

 Friends and family of someone with a chronic illness should be active listeners and watch for red flags, like the person isolating or not taking their medication.

 

(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois State Police  welcomed 21 new Troopers Sunday from Cadet Class 151 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. ? The new Troopers will report to seven State Trooper locations throughout the state starting this morning. ? Cadet Class 151 marks the 23rd cadet class graduation under Governor J-B Pritzker and I-S-P Director Brendan F. Kelly. ? Since 2019, 713 troopers have joined the state police ranks

 

(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Commerce Commission has struck $25.4 million from ComEd’s $268.5 million 2024 rate reconciliation request. An ICC statement said the decision struck the bulk of overrun costs related to the utility’s “mismanaged” customer care and billing rollout. In a separate decision, the ICC struck $11.2 million from Ameren Illinois’ $59.6 million multi-year rate reconciliation request.

 

(Paxton–jc)  A Blood drive is set for the city of Paxton on Friday. Spokesperson for the event, Kevin Hanson, says it will be held at the First Lutheran Church starting
at 9 on the 26th…

 

Impact Life Blood Drive in Paxton Spokesperson Kevin Hanson