JCJ News
In final public transit hearing, downstate operators join chorus for more state funding
By Andrew Adams Capital News Illinois Public transit agencies in downstate Illinois are joining Chicagoland rail and bus operators in asking the state for help balancing their budgets. A state committee met with leaders from a half dozen downstate agencies last week– the sixth and final scheduled hearing on the subject since lawmakers began a…
Read MoreFirst Tick Infected with a Rare Tickborne Illness in Illinois Discovered in Lake County
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the state’s active tick surveillance system has discovered the first tick in the state to test positive for Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (EME), a bacteria transmitted by blacklegged tick bites that can cause human ehrlichiosis, a severe disease that can cause complications if not treated quickly. IDPH’s…
Read MoreIDOT, IDNR advise public to watch out for amorous deer during peak mating season
Scenic drives are a must in Illinois in autumn and with the height of fall colors, people will be spending a lot of time on the road. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding the public to be alert for deer, which are entering their peak mating season, especially…
Read MoreRecent farm accidents alert safety experts
By PHYLLIS COULTER FarmWeek Already this harvest season, grain entrapments, utility task vehicle (UTV) crashes and other farm accidents have been reported across the state. The RFD Radio Network talked to a farm safety specialist to get relevant safety tips. UTV vehicles “We are seeing more and more UTV accidents,” said Amy Rademaker, farm safety…
Read MoreIllinois State Police trooper killed in Champaign County crash
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois A Champaign County woman was ticketed in connection with an accident that claimed the life of an Illinois State Police trooper on Friday afternoon. Corey S. Thompsen, 28, was working a traffic enforcement detail on his state police motorcycle on Friday at about 3:42 p.m. in Champaign County. The…
Read MoreChocolate Craze: Facts, Benefits, and Tips
By Lisa Peterson University of Illinois Extension Nutrition & Wellness Candy season is here, and one of the most popular treats is chocolate! The word “chocolate” comes from two words that mean “hot water” and “cacahuatl,” which was a bitter drink made with cocoa and used in religious ceremonies. Switzerland eats the most chocolate, averaging…
Read MoreCooler temperatures drive stink bugs indoors
Falling temperatures bring colorful foliage, flannel shirts and pumpkin-flavored treats. Unfortunately, cooler weather also brings stink bugs. These shield-shaped invasive pests – officially named brown marmorated stink bugs – are native to China and first made their debut in the US in the late 90s. They feed on the Midwestern landscape, munching everything from residential…
Read MoreEquipment sector better prepared for downturn
By RHIANNON BRANCH Ag machinery sales are taking a hit as farmers’ balance sheets tighten, but the equipment industry has been preparing for the downturn. “Over the course of history, the price of corn and the sale of tractors over 40 horsepower tend to track one to one,” Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Senior Vice…
Read MorePritzker Announces Relief Available to July Storm Victims in Illinois Multiple Tax Deadlines Postponed to Feb. 3, 2025
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue announced disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Illinois affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that began on July 13, 2024. “As communities across Illinois recover from July’s severe storms, my administration remains committed to supporting them every step of…
Read MoreICF welcomes seven new inductees to Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame
The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) Board of Directors today announced the selections of Angela Funk, Henry Eilers, Jeremiah Haas, Matt Mullady, Rich McElligott, Terry Wunderle, and Thomas Foss for induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame. The formal inductions will occur during the annual ICF Gala to be held in the spring of 2025.…
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