House re-convenes in Springfield
From Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: Yesterday the House finally got back into session in Springfield. It was a very unusual day to say the least. We met in a large convention center instead of the Capitol and had to keep six feet apart throughout the day. It was strange without the handshakes or other friendly gestures that we are […]
Paxton Public House among local businesses working with health department to find way to safely re-open
From Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett: A couple of days ago I heard from John Stevens, the owner of the Paxton Public House restaurant, which has been in operation for six years. His story will sound familiar to those who have been reading this newsletter in the past few weeks: a local small business facing hardship due to two months […]
Obituary: Darrel W. Parker
WATSEKA — Darrel W. Parker, 70, of Watseka passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. He was born on May 2, 1950, in Watseka, the son of Earnest G. Parker and Annabelle Peters Gossett and they preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his step-father, Gene Gossett. He married Leona […]
Pritzker activates National Guard for flooding preparation
Disaster declared in Grundy, Morgan, Pike, Scott counties By BEN ORNER Capitol News Illinois borner@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker has activated nearly 60 National Guard soldiers to help communities along the Illinois River prepare for forecasted floods. Pritzker on Thursday issued disaster proclamations for four rural counties along the Illinois River: Grundy, Pike, Scott and Morgan. Grundy County is […]
Ford County has 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19
PAXTON — The Ford County Public Health Department announced one new confirmed case on Thursday, May 21. The individual is a female in her 40’s. Ford County has a total of 20 confirmed cases, including one death. Three of the confirmed cases are associated with congregate living facilities. These numbers are accurate as of 3 p.m. Thursday. Public health officials […]
Illinois unemployment rate climbs to record 16.4% in April
New jobless claims in May appear to level out By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The unemployment rate in Illinois reached a staggering 16.4 percent in April, the highest rate recorded since the modern system of tracking joblessness began in 1976, the Illinois Department of Employment Security said Thursday. The previous record of 13.9 percent was set in February 1983, according […]
Iroquois County has 124 confirmed cases of COVID-19
WATSEKA — As of Thursday, May 21, Iroquois County has 124 individuals with laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19. As of about 4:45 p.m. Thursday, the ICPHD has received 931 test results for COVID-19. Of the 931 results, 807 have been negative and 124 have been positive. Here is the information that the ICPHD has released about its cases confirmed on […]
Ford County Board to hold IT committee meeting on May 27
FORD COUNTY BOARD SPECIFICALLY INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE AGENDA MAY 27,2020 3:30 P.M. IN THE SHERIFF’S BOARDROOM AT THE JAIL THE MEETING MAY BE ATTENDED REMOTELY BY USING THE CALL-IN NUMBER OF 1-877-309-2073 AND THE ACCESS CODE lS 673-677 -029# LIMIT OF ONLY FIVE PEOPLE IN THE SHERIFF’S BOARD ROOM AT ONE TIME AGENDA APPROVAL PUBLIC COMMENT OLD BUSINESS NEW […]
Pritzker administration working on guidance for reopening next week
2,268 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday; 87 additional deaths By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Thursday his administration is developing guidelines for local governments and businesses to follow as the state prepares to enter the next phase of reopening the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have guidance documents that are being prepared, work that’s […]
