DOJ: Ray LaHood Took Undisclosed Foreign Money While Serving in Obama Cabinet
The U.S. Department of Justice says former Congressman and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood took undisclosed foreign money while serving in…
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Illinois Economy Stalls In November: Flash Index
Illinois’ economic recovery stalled last month, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. The Flash Index measured the state’s economy at 95.6 for both October and November, bringing a pause to five months of steady improvement. “What we’re basically, is treading water this month, in terms of recovery from the spring crisis,” said University…
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23 Counties And Counting: Downstate Separation Referendum Wins Favor In November Election
URBANA – One result of the November 2020 election in Illinois was 20 downstate counties passing an advisory referendum in support of forming their own state that leaves Chicago and Cook County behind. That makes a total of 23 counties where separation referendums have passed this year. (UPDATE: As of November 2022, the total is…
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Champaign County Opens More Early Voting Sites
Additional sites for early voting are opening in Champaign County on Monday, October 19. Each of the eleven early voting site is open to voters from any part of Champaign County. The Champaign County Clerk’s office will operate the sites seven days a week, and will also keep them open on Election Day, November 3rd,…
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GOP Proposal Would Make Several Champaign County Offices Appointed
Three elected offices in Champaign County government would be changed to appointed ones — and a fourth office would be scaled back — under a proposal unveiled Thursday by a group of Champaign County Republicans. Champaign County’s elected recorder would become an appointed post, and the elected treasurer and auditor would be merged, along with…
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Champaign, Urbana Order New Restrictions On Restaurants, Bars & Parties
Michigan State, Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have recently suspended in-person classes due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. New emergency orders affecting bars and restaurants in Champaign-Urbana are meant to prevent that from happening at the University of Illinois. The mayors of both Champaign and Urbana have issued orders requiring…
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Flash Index Show Improvement In State Economy But Not Growth
The Illinois economy has been contracting since the onset of COVID-19. But the latest University of Illinois Flash Index shows economic activity is beginning to recover. The Flash Index rose from 93.1 in June to 93.9 in July, for its second month of improvement since the coronavirus sent it plummeting. The Flash Index is based…
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Ask The Newsroom: COVID-19 Testing, SNAP Benefits, Restore Illinois Phase 4, Living Assistance
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition of “Ask the Newsroom,” we’ve answered questions on COVID-19, SNAP benefits and living alone. Please note, the information is accurate as of June 19, 2020. COVID-19 Testing Q: I am…
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Pandemic Puts Damper On Memorial Day Ceremonies
URBANA — The observance of Memorial Day is happening in Illinois this year with far fewer ceremonies than usual. The coronavirus outbreak has put a damper on all public gatherings — including those held to remember military personnel and veterans who have died. Veterans groups in Mattoon and Georgetown are among those holding Memorial Day ceremonies…
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Foxconn’s Belkin Licenses U Of I Emergency Ventilator
URBANA — Work began two months ago at the University of Illinois on an emergency ventilator to treat COVID-19 patients. Now, the new design has found a manufacturer. U of I mechanical engineering professor Bill King oversaw the team that designed — and tested prototypes — of the Illinois Rapidvent ventilator, all in about three…
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Flash Index Shows Contraction Of Illinois Economy
The latest readings of the Flash Index show the Illinois economy quickly shifting from growth to contraction during the coronavirus pandemic. The Flash Index has been above 100 for the past eight years, indicating economic growth in Illinois during that period. But University of Illinois economist Fred Giertz says that all changed as coronavirus stay-at-home…
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Sixth COVID-19 Death Reported At Decatur Long Term Care Facility
DECATUR – The number of deaths from COVID-19 has risen to six at the Fair Havens Senior Living long-term care facility in Decatur. The Macon County Health Department announced Thursday morning that a woman in her 90s was the latest Fair Havens resident with COVID-19 to die. “Our team would like to extend our heartfelt…
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How Two Central Illinois Lawmakers Are Getting Work Done During The Coronavirus Outbreak
Concerns about the coronavirus have kept the Illinois General Assembly from meeting in Springfield for a month. And it’s not clear when they’ll be back in session — or back in their offices. The suspension of the spring legislative session in mid-March sent State Senator Scott Bennett and State Representative Mike Marron back to their…
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15 COVID-19 Cases Reported At Decatur Long-Term Care Facility
Fifteen people at a long-term care facility in Decatur have been confirmed to have COVID-19, Macon County officials announced Saturday. The cases occurred at Fair Havens Senior Living, and involved ten residents and five staff members. The death of a Fair Havens resident from COVID-19 had been announced on April 7, along with news that…
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Champaign Unit 4 Schools Distribute 1,000 Chromebooks To Students
The Champaign and Urbana school districts are distributing Chromebooks to students who need the devices. Champaign schools have so far distributed about 1,000 Chromebooks to district families, according to Unit 4 spokesperson, John Lyday. Courtney Harmon, an Urbana District 116 parent, picked up a Chromebook for her six-year-old son last week. Her son attends Yankee…
