CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) received notification from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regarding a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, which is believed to be linked to packaged garden salad. There are currently six cyclosporiasis cases […]
Author: dani
New distracted driving law goes into effect on July 1
Beginning July 1, the Illinois secretary of state will be able to revoke driving privileges for one year when a driver causes “great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement” due to use of an electronic communication device. The offense is also subject to a minimum $1,000 fine. Electronic communication devices […]
Illinois minimum wage to increase July 1
Illinois minimum wage workers will see an increase in their pay Wednesday. July 1 will bring the second statewide minimum wage increase in 2020. In January, minimum wage went from $8.25 per hour to $9.25. The upcoming increase will move to $10 per hour. Wages for tipped workers will rise […]
IEPA confirms algal bloom on the Illinois River near Starved Rock
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed the presence of the algal toxin, microcystin, along the northern bank of the Illinois River at the Starved Rock Lock & Dam. Algal toxins (e.g., microcystin and cylindrospermopsin) sometimes produced by blue-green algae can cause sickness or other adverse health effects in people […]
May 2020 brought sharp decline in Champaign County Home Sales
Homes sales in Champaign County took a sharp decline in May 2020, according to a Champaign County Association of REALTORS® release. A total of 234 residential homes were sold in May, down 30.97 percent from 339 sales in May 2019. The median home sale price in May for the Champaign […]
Champaign County Forest Preserve offers Camp in a Bag
The Champaign County Forest Preserve introduces Camp in a Bag for children ages 3 to 11. Because summer camps were canceled as East Central Illinois takes precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forest Preserve decided to bring outdoor summer activities in a different way. Throughout the summer, bags will […]
Museum of the Grand Prairie and the Homer Lake Interpretive Center to reopen July 8
The Champaign County Forest Preserve has announced that the Museum of the Grand Prairie and the Homer Lake Interpretive Center will reopen, on a limited basis, on July 8, 2020. Beginning July 8, 2020. Homer Lake Interpretive Center will be open from 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, […]
OGS PTO Color Run on August 15
Oakwood Grade School PTO has been given the green light to host a Color Run on August 15. The fundraiser, which is in its second year, will benefit Oakwood Grade School. The 3.1 mile run/walk will begin at Oakwood Park in Oakwood, Ill. with music and activities for the whole […]
St. Joseph Board to discuss moratorium on food trucks until Phase 5 of Restore Illinois
The St. Joseph Village Board of Trustees will discuss a moratorium on food trucks at the July board meeting, according to Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges. “We want to do everything right now to help our businesses to hang in there,” Fruhling-Voges said. She expects the moratorium to extend through the end […]
Illinois Schools Can Return to In-Person, State Provides Guidelines
Illinois school districts received the recommendations that they had been awaiting from the Illinois State Board of Education Tuesday. Gov. JB Pritzker recently released details for Phase 4 of Restore Illinois, which specifically stated that schools could re-engage after being closed since mid-March. ““Classroom learning provides necessary opportunities for our […]