Category: Local
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Taking time to learn about Juneteenth
By Mariah Madison Although June 19th is recognized as a holiday in all states except four, a lot of people don’t know what Juneteenth is. Juneteenth is one of America’s oldest holidays and is observed each year on June 19 to mark the official end of slavery in the US. As an African American, I would have to… Read more
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Unemployment rate 15.2 percent in May; state on pace to enter Phase 4 on June 26
By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 15.2 percent in May, according to the state Department of Employment Security, representing a 2 percent drop from the previous month. Nonfarm payrolls added 62,200 jobs in May based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job losses for… Read more
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University of Illinois announces Fall 2020 plans
University of Illinois students received an update on fall 2020 classes Thursday. The plan is to resume with “a hybrid mixture of in-person and online classes.” “As a public land-grant university, it is our obligation to provide accessible and equitable research, creative expression and educational experiences for people from across the state and around the… Read more
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Mahomet Board looks to enter into facility use agreement
The Village of Mahomet Board of Trustees moved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Mahomet-Seymour School District to the June 23 consent agenda Tuesday night. The Mahomet-Seymour School District has not seen the agreement yet, but Village Administrator Patrick Brown said that the topic should be on the upcoming board agenda. The next Mahomet-Seymour School Board… Read more
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Illinois residents can now preregister online for driver’s license or identification card
In an attempt to cut down on wait times and long lines at the DMV, Secretary of State Jesse White announced that Illinois residents can preregister online when applying for a driver’s license or identification card. Customers may go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com to access the preregistration application for driver’s licenses and ID cards and input specific… Read more
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Mahomet-Seymour School Board hears about Reopening Task Force
BY DANI TIETZdani@mahometnews.com Superintendent Lindsey Hall provided a COVID-19 Reopening Task Force Update to the Mahomet-Seymour School Board on June 8. Hall likened planning for the 2020-21 school year to “building a plane while flying it.” The district, like all other districts in Illinois, are awaiting guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)… Read more
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Pritzker expands vote by mail, makes election day a state holiday
By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday. In a news release, Pritzker’s office… Read more
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Slight increase in Illinois motor fuel tax scheduled for July 1
The Illinois gas tax will increase again on July 1, 2020. The automatic increase is part of the 2019 legislative session that doubled the motor fuel tax—from $.19 to $.38 as part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s $45 billion Rebuild Illinois plan. The law also allows for the tax to increase with inflation In each subsequent… Read more
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Mahomet Farmer’s Market to begin June 20
The Mahomet Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2020 Mahomet Farmer’s Market schedule, which will begin on June 20. Featuring four to six vendors, the market will take place on Saturday mornings from 8 to 11 a.m. at Sangamon on Main. The market will be adjusted for social distancing guidelines. Read more