‘We just need our voices heard up there in Chicago’: Gibson City Council passes resolution in support of local businesses

GIBSON CITY — The Gibson City Council passed resolution No. 2020-r-02 regarding Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 emergency orders and the action of the Ford County Board. The motion carried by a vote of 6-0. There’s not much difference between a resolution or an ordinance,” Gibson City Council attorney Marc Miller said at Thursday’s council meeting. “You’re just indicating a […]

CAPITOL RECAP: Lawmakers returning to Springfield for 3-day session

By Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD –Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week for the first time in more than two months to take up a state budget and other critical matters while following strict social distancing and public safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. During teleconference caucus meetings Wednesday, May 13, House and Senate Democrats were told the special […]

Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: Some more details on next week’s session

On Wednesday, the House will begin a three-day special session to address issues related to the coronavirus outbreak. This is our first time in session since March 5, and I am glad to see us finally come off the sidelines and get back to our Constitutional role in the lawmaking process. Because this is a special session called by the […]

Downstate judge denies AG request to move lawmaker’s case to Sangamon County

Bailey’s attorney argues request was state looking for a ‘favorable ear’ By REBECCA ANZELCapitol News [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — A downstate judge on Friday denied the attorney general office’s request to move to Sangamon County a Republican representative’s lawsuit challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s authority to issue successive disaster proclamations. Rep. Darren Bailey, of Xenia, filed his case on April 23 alleging the governor […]

Census outreach ‘incredibly stymied’ by COVID-19 pandemic

Organizers forced to adapt as in-person outreach efforts put on hold By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Like everyone else, Illinois’ census outreach coordinators have had to adapt to a new reality during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “As drastic as this change has been for everyone, it’s the same thing for us,” said Marishonta Wilkerson, who was named co-director of […]

Ford County Public Health Department update (May 15, 2020)

The Ford County Public Health Department (FCPHD) announced no new confirmed cases on Friday, May 15. The FCPHD learned that a previously reported confirmed case is not a Ford County resident. FCPHD learned there was a discrepancy in the address reported with the results. Therefore, with this announcement, Ford County has a total of 16 confirmed cases. There has been […]

COVID-19-related death toll passes 4,000 on second-highest testing day

Pritzker says latest averages show state testing 4.7 percent of population per month By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The state reported another 130 COVID-19-related deaths in 17 counties Friday as the virus-related death toll surpassed 4,000. There are now 90,369 confirmed cases of the virus in the state among 538,602 people tested. The cases have resulted in 4,058 […]

To tax or not to tax? Pritzker’s graduated tax fails on all counts

By JIM NOWLAN The only major, contested issue on the ballot this fall in our Blue State will be whether to enact Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed constitutional amendment to allow graduated income tax rates. I think the Pritzker approach — not the concept — is wrong-headed. I try to explain here. Background. Throughout this century, Illinois has each year been […]

GCMS announces graduation plans in letter

GIBSON CITY — On Friday, May 15, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Superintendent Jeremy Darnell submitted a letter regarding plans for graduation for the Class of 2020. The following steps will be performed to “acknowledge the Class of 2020 in several promotions,” Darnell stated. On Friday, May 15, GCMS will once again observe the “Friday Night Lights” from 8-8:20 p.m. at the athletic […]

Iroquois County has 112 confirmed cases of COVID-19

WATSEKA — As of Friday, May 15, Iroquois County has 112 individuals with laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19. As of about 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the ICPHD has received 790 test results for COVID-19. Of the 790 results, 678 have been negative and 112 have been positive. Here is the information that the ICPHD has released about its cases confirmed on […]