Category: Local

Amid COVID-19 outbreak, revenues could fall 20 percent By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A commission that advises the General Assembly on revenue and economic issues is warning that a slowdown of business activity caused by the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to bring about a recession that could cause a 20 percent drop in… Read more

By REBECCA ANZELCapitol News Illinoisranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com Gov. JB Pritzker announced a number of financial initiatives Wednesday to assist owners of bars, restaurants, hotels and other small businesses during the economic slowdown caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. By Friday, he said, owners of businesses with fewer than 50 employees and less than $3 million in 2019… Read more

By FRED KRONER fred@mahometnews.com People come. People go. It is true in all aspects of life, but perhaps more so in the education profession than others. Some young teachers start in smaller districts to get their foot in the door before they pursue jobs at larger schools. Others teachers decide, after years in the classroom,… Read more

In all the uncertainty that is happening in March, the state of Illinois and the Mahomet-Seymour School District have committed to providing food for children. “Not just students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, but also to make meals available for any child 18-and-under in the community,” Mahomet-Seymour superintendent Lindsey Hall said.  Since the… Read more

When the world stops, the plumbing business gets a little busier.  That was the case for Classic Plumbing last weekend.  “The current crisis has caused people to rush for a service that they don’t have to rush for in some ways,” Classic Plumbing’s owner Tim Culver said. “My phone was very active.” Because of the… Read more

The Illinois High School Association announced Wednesday that it is still looking for ways for the 2020 spring season to happen.  Currently, all practices and games, along with school, are canceled until April 8 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  In a letter from IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson, athletic directors and school administrators heard… Read more

The Sangamon Valley Public Water District is asking its customers to be cognizant about what they put down the toilet drain after having to clean out two sewage lines yesterday. “We received two calls from two different households, who are users, and they called with a report of a slow drain; so when they flush… Read more

Pritzker bracing for revenue drop, possible budget cuts By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday the state is stockpiling medical supplies and working to expand its hospital capacity, even by converting some closed hotels into isolation facilities, as it braces for a sharp increase in demand due to the outbreak… Read more

By FRED KRONER fred@mahometnews.com Alexa Franklin’s involvement in sports has been in full force for more than a decade. The accolades and accomplishments would fill multiple scrapbook volumes for the Mahomet resident. By the time she was 7 years old, Franklin was running in 5-kilometer races with other family members, and she now has more… Read more