(Illinois–dm)-With prolonged heat and humidity forecast across Illinois this week, state officials are urging residents to take precautions to stay safe and to check on family, friends, and neighbors who may be vulnerable. According to the National Weather Service, heat indices in many areas of the state are expected to exceed 100°F for several consecutive days, with some locations projected to reach 105–110°F. If you need to find a cooling center you can go to keepcool.illinois.gov
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois residents hold roughly $63 billion in student loan debt but a new state law will help keep track of the private student loan borrowing market. The law calls for an annual report documenting the total number and dollar amount of private education loans made by lenders. It also requires data on student loans made with cosigners and the default rate for private student loans.
Lawmakers believe this information can give a clearer picture of how students are doing their debt and what actions Illinois can take to help them.
(Springfield–dm)-While hundreds of bills are heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk, several bills dealing with the 2nd amendment failed to move forward, which 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting (R-Emington) called that good news for firearm owners.
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting (R- Emmington).
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police are investigating an incident of shots fired Monday afternoon. It happened just after 2pm in the areas of 4th and Beardsley. No one was hurt. This shooting happened just a few blocks away from a shooting Sunday night. Investigators say its too soon to say whether the two are connected.
(USDA–dm)-What does the preliminary look at forecasts indicate about weather for the Independence Day time period? Rod Bain has the story.
(Champaign–jc) Champaign County crimestoppers is seeking information about a fatal shooting that happened in Champaign in early June. Authorities say the shooting occurred just past midnight on June 6th near Anita and Cynthia Drives in Champaign. A 16 year old man was fatally shot. Anyone with information of footage of the shooting is asked to call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 217-373-8477.
(Gibson City–jc) The budget for the next fiscal year, which begins on Wednesday, continues to grow and so do the taxes on all Illinoisans. Ford County Republican Party spokesperson Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the nearly 56 Billion dollars and under the democrats, Bennett says they just seem to want more and more of Illinois’ workers money…
Ford County Republican Party Spokesperson Tom Bennett. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker signed the budget into law this month. The next fiscal year for the state starts on July First.
(The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has fallen about 60 cents in the last month, but it’s still more than 60 cents higher than it was one year ago. AAA said the national average on Monday was $3.86 and the average Illinois price was $4.13. Illinois consumers pay a state gas tax of 48.3 cents per gallon on regular unleaded. In Rantoul the average price for a gallon of gas is 4 dollars 5 cents. In Paxton, gas prices are 4 dollars 32 cents per gallon. Other area gas prices include 3 dollars 85 cents in Bloomington and around 3 dollars 89 cents at various spots in Iroquois County. Gas prices in Indiana average about 2 dollars 89 cents per gallon.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says the U.S. Supreme Court has confirmed that mail-in ballot laws in Illinois and other states are fully consistent with federal law. In a case challenging Mississippi’s law, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday in a 5-4 decision that states can accept and count mail-in ballots received after Election Day. In Illinois, mail-in ballots can be received up to 14 days after Election Day.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois will soon expand access to life saving asthma medication at schools. A new state law allows schools to keep a supply of asthma medication in secure locations that are accessible before, during or after school, where someone may be at risk. That includes practice fields, gyms and other athletic facilities.
(Springfield–dm)-Governor JB Pritzker recently signed into law a bill to allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition at Illinois' public universities.
The bill was voted on in the House on the final day of session and 88th District State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) spoke against the measure, saying costs will go up because someone is going to have to pay for the undocumented students.
88th District State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur)
(Urbana-jm) - An Urbana man was arrested on multiple warrants and is accused of discarding a firearm after running from police. Urbana Police were called to East Harding Street to reports of threats being made. Police identified the suspect as 37 year old Randy Alexander, who fled from officers. As he fled he discarded a handgun. Once taken into custody he was found to be wanted on multiple warrants and a parole violation in connection to a felony murder case in Wisconsin.
(Champaign-jm) - A Champaign man pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to steal checks from the mail and deposit them into a fraudulently opened bank account in St. Louis. Isaiah Douglas admitted to conspiring with other people to deposit checks that had been stolen in the mail. Douglas and his co-conspirators tried to cash almost $600,000 in stolen checks. Luis Franco Gonzales of Rantoul and Isaiah Handford pleaded guilty in May to one count of making a false statement to a financial institution.
(Fisher–jc) The Village of Fisher is celebrating the 4th of July and the 150th anniversary of the town and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Fisher 150th Anniversary spokesperson Kim Clemmons talks about some of the events set for Saturday…
Fisher 150th Anniversary Spokesperson Kim Clemmons
(SPRINGFIELD–dm)-With peak roadside mowing season underway, the Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public to slow down, proceed with caution and pay extra attention when encountering equipment and personnel. In keeping with the recent practice of timing operations to preserve and promote pollinator habitat, the heaviest mowing period will continue until Aug. 15.
(Crescent City–dm)-This year’s Iroquois County Fair starts July 14th and runs through July 19th, Iroquois County Fair Spokesperson Debbie Krones tells us about this year’s theme for the fair.
Iroquois County Fair Spokesperson Debbie Krones
(Illinois–dm)-The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for raw boneless chicken breast products containing eggs, a known allergen that is not declared on the label. Private Selection Honey Dijon Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts with Rib Meat vacuum-packed packages were shipped to Kroger and Fred Meyer stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and six other states.
WPXN News notes…
Hoopeston will hold their Red, White and Boom on Friday, July 3rd with a color run at 8 am, car show at 10, chili cookoff at noon, touch a truck from 2-4, golf cart and pet parade at 4, red white and boom party featuring inflatables, cornhole tournament and watermelon eating from 4:30-7:30, 90 proof performing at 7:30 and fireworks at dusk at the soccer fields.
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, July 3rd from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
Sibley will hold their 4th of July celebration on Saturday, July 4th starting with a breakfast at 8 am, fishing derby at 9 am, vendor show at 10 am, parade at noon, barrel train rides at 1 pm, softball tournament and big kids games at 2pm, bingo and little kids games at 3, model airplane and boat show, inflatables, mini golf and golf hole in one at 4pm, music by The Fairchilds at 6:30 and fireworks over Sibley Lake at dusk.
Rantoul will hold their 4th of July parade on Saturday, July 4th starting at 9:30 am.
Buckley will hold their 4th of July parade on Saturday, July 4th at 10 am.
