By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Governor Bruce Rauner spent the last day of the fiscal year visiting state agencies in Springfield and Chicago, trying to reassure employees they’ll get paid. Rauner told Illinois Emergency Management Agency employees in Springfield that they do valuable work. Rauner said, “We in our administration are working for you. I want…… MORE
Summer: best time to donate blood
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News With blood and platelet donations typically declining during the summer months, the American Red Cross is looking for people to take time and donate. Holiday parties and vacations often contribute to seasonal blood shortages, and at the same time, more accidents, and the ARC is looking to make sure blood is…… MORE
Budget crisis “our biggest challenge”
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News With budget talks continuing in Springfield, the fate of many local programs hangs in the balance. Susan Real, executive director for the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, was a guest on Community Forum with Todd Wineburner recently. She described the funding landscape, which continues to be a challenge for…… MORE
Pontiac Fourth of July events
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News A day full of fun Fourth of July events is slated for Pontiac Saturday. A partnership between the Pontiac Elks Club and Pontiac Parks and Recreation will start off with an open swim, golfing, children’s games and a cookout, ending in a fireworks display at dusk. Gordy Steffens, chairman of the…… MORE
Here’s what’s happening in the State of Illinois
By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Immigration was the main focus of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during his visit to Illinois. “If I win, I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created, I will take jobs back from China, I will take jobs back from Mexico, I will take jobs back from many…… MORE
District 429’s budget “in good shape”
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News The Pontiac District 429 met last night and finalized some employment issues along with presentation of an amended budget for 2015-2016. Superintendent Dale Adams said when all was said and done, the budget for the next school year looked pretty positive. “Overall, the budget is in good shape. They have a…… MORE
Panel to describe effects of DUI accidents
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News A Victim Impact Panel is coming to Pontiac for offenders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This panel is a one-time non-confrontational presentation given by victims of DUI crashes who speak about the impact the crash has had on their lives. All offenders convicted of DUI are…… MORE
St. James named top hospital in Illinois
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News OSF Saint James – John W. Albrecht Medical Center has been named the safest hospital in Illinois for 2015. This is the second time the facility has received this honor by Consumer Reports. Pam Meiner, director of marketing and communications for the hospital, said this honor means a lot to the…… MORE
Downtown fire wakes neighbors Saturday
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News The Pontiac Fire department responded to a small blaze in a second story apartment in downtown Pontiac. According to Fire Chief Scott Runyon, the call came in around 10:30 Saturday night, when a neighbor to 109 ½ N. Mill Street, Apartment D, noticed smoke coming out from under the door. When…… MORE
Here’s what’s happening in the state of Illinois
By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding commercial motor vehicle operators of testing and eligibility changes to federal CDL rules effective Wednesday. The CDL changes were enacted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the form of the Commercial Driver’s License Testing and Commercial Learner’s Permit Standards Final…… MORE
