First 2017 Human Case of West Nile Virus in Illinois

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Public Health

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus reported in Illinois for 2017.  A Will County resident in his 60s became ill at the end of June.

“This is typically the time of year we start to see human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois,” said Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D.  “Although the flooding in northeastern Illinois may be producing a large number of floodwater mosquitoes, those mosquitoes do not carry West Nile virus.  However, the hot, dry conditions we’ve been seeing around the rest of Illinois, which leave small, stagnant pockets of standing water, create ideal breeding sites for the type of mosquito that does carry West Nile virus.”

The first human case of West Nile virus in 2016 was reported early in the year, on June 6, 2016.  Last year, 61 counties in Illinois reported a West Nile virus positive mosquito batch, bird and/or human case.  For the 2016 season, IDPH reported 155 human cases (although human cases are underreported), including six deaths.

 

Monitoring for West Nile virus in Illinois includes laboratory tests for mosquito batches, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds, as well as testing humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms.  People who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a Culex pipiens mosquito, commonly called a house mosquito, which has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.  Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches.  Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks.  However, four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms.  In rare cases, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur.  People older than 50 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.

While IDPH is also monitoring for Zika virus, which is primarily transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, the main type of mosquito that carries Zika virus, Aedes aegypti, is different and is very rarely found in Illinois.  However, taking some simple precautions can help you avoid mosquito bites, regardless of the type of mosquito or the diseases they carry.

Precautions include practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.

REDUCE – make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.  Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.  Try to keep doors and windows shut.

  •  Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.

REPEL – when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions.  Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.  The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito eggs.

 

Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the IDPH website.

Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs honors Springfield funeral home

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs

(Springfield, IL)…. The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) named Staab Funeral Home as recipient of the Illinois Veterans’ Business and Appreciation Award for the Third Quarter, Fiscal Year 2017.  The Award was presented today at the Staab Funeral Home location in Springfield, Illinois.  The Illinois Veterans’ Business Appreciation Award highlights and honors the work of any business or organization in Illinois that has significantly helped veterans, and whose contributions to those who have served our country, are documented and deserve to be recognized.  This award is designed to highlight and honor those businesses or organizations that go above and beyond the regular call of service to support veterans.  Nominees are evaluated on the basis of their leadership, dedication, innovation, and impact in serving these heroes.

For more than 80 years, the Staab Family has proudly served the greater Springfield Illinois communities, including the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed to maintain our freedom.  The Staab Family have worked with veterans in fundraising, design of various Memorials and veterans parks, including the Purple Heart Memorial at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, IL.  The family financially supports the Honor Flight Program and hosts the annual “Ride in Honor” motorcycle ride with funds raised to support various local Veterans memorials.

“The Staab Family have not forgotten the veteran or active duty service member.  And they are reminding our youth of our military’s sacrifice and keeping our nation’s history alive by supporting the Illinois World War II Classroom Project.  This is a well-deserved award for a family who works to honor all veterans every day of the year,” said Director Erica Jeffries, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

The Illinois Veterans’ Patriotic Business and Appreciation Award will be awarded quarterly from the nominations received.  The business of the year will be selected from the four businesses awarded the Illinois Patriotic Business and Appreciation Award.  The Business selected will be honored at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois on August 13, 2017.

ACLU Brings accusations against IYC in Harrisburg

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/35909376/aclu-illinois-juvenile-center-unfairly-seeks-charges

CHICAGO – (AP, through KFVS-TV.  Click for the full story on the link above. Here is an excerpt.)

The ACLU accuses a juvenile detention facility in southern Illinois of improperly and unnecessarily seeking prosecutions of several dozen detainees.

The civil liberties group made the allegation about the Illinois Youth Center in Harrisburg in a filing in an ongoing federal lawsuit in Chicago. It blames center staff disgruntled about court-approved limits on how long juveniles can spend in solitary confinement.

The ACLU says that among the infractions that have led to criminal charges were detainees spitting at youth-center staff. ACLU lawyer Lindsay Miller calls such prosecutions “vindictive.”

Montemagno hopes to implement a vision for the university and achieve it by 2025

http://dailyegyptian.com/70135/showcase/montemagno-hopes-implement-vision-university-achieve-2025/

CARBONDALE, IL (Cory Ray, Daily Egyptian.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Newly-appointed Chancellor Carlo Montemagno proposed what he called the need to discover and implement a vision for the university in his first public address since he was appointed chancellor by the SIU Board of Trustees on July 13.

“We have to be successful,” he said to a crowd of people on Thursday. “As SIU goes, Southern Illinois is going to go.”

Specifically, Montemagno said the vision will be a set of goals and objectives for what people believe the university should look like by 2025. He said the vision itself will be implemented by November.

Democrat’s school funding bill latest in series of “blackmail” bills

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/breen-democrat-s-school-funding-bill-latest-in-series-of/article_6a391f56-6b56-11e7-8dc7-4f031db91327.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The next battle at the Illinois Statehouse is likely over state funding for public schools, which are in desperate need of checks next month. But that money may not be there without funding reform, and critics of the majority party say waiting until the last minute to resolve problems seems to be the Democrats’ modus operandi.

State Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, said Senate Bill 1 is a Chicago Public Schools bailout and another of what he called “blackmail bills,” where lawmakers are pressured at the last minute to support things that aren’t good for taxpayers.

Breen referenced several examples. One was the threat that 911 services would be shut down unless, according to Breen, unnecessary fee increases were approved. Another was the threat of a downgrade of state bonds to junk status if lawmakers didn’t approve a budget with $5 billion in tax increases.

“No compromise. No other options,” Breen said. “[It’s just], ‘You’ve got to vote for this bill.’”

Breen said the same thing is happening with the school funding reform bill.

Body recovered near Cairo

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/35901057/body-recovered-from-the-confluence-of-mississippi-ohio-rivers

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, MO  (KFVS, TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Emergency crews have recovered a body from the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers near the 60/62 bridge.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a fisherman called at 7:41 a.m. on Monday, July 17 to report a body in the water

The victim has not been identified, but Captain Barry Morgan with the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it is an adult man.

IDFPR Online Licensure Transformation Nears Completion

Paper Applications Accepted Until September 1st for Certain Professions

SPRINGFIELD, IL  – With three-quarters of all professions within the Division of Professional Regulation now able to apply and renew their license via the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s (IDFPR) Online Services Portal, Secretary Bryan A. Schneider is announcing the Department will no longer accept paper applications for specific professions that have already been migrated online beginning September 1, 2017.

Professions impacted by this deadline include: Advance Practice Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Barber, Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Nail Technician, Certified Public Accountant, Massage Therapist, Limited Liability Company, Medical Corporation, Permanent Employee Registration Card, Pharmacy Technician, Professional Service Corporation and Public Accounting Firm.

All paper applications and payments postmarked before September 1st will be accepted and processed.  Those postmarked on or after September 1st for impacted professions will be returned to the sender.

More than 800,000 regulated professionals are now able to take advantage of IDFPR’s online licensure services to quickly and easily apply and renew their license. For a complete list of professions now online, please visit IDFPR’s Online Services Portal.   IDFPR began the transition to paperless, digital technology in 2016 as a part of Governor Rauner’s efforts to transform state services and reduce processing delays.  The initiative is saving the state nearly $3 million in postage, paper and printing costs over the next five years.

“Promoting efficiency, while providing an overall better experience for licensed professionals has been the focus of our endeavor to create a modernized licensure process,” said Bryan A. Schneider, IDFPR Secretary.  “As we look to further improve service to our professions already migrated online, we are ending the practice of accepting the paper application.  By doing this, we complete their electronic transformation, granting our licensees the ability to apply for licensure or renewal anytime, anyplace through the convenience of their electronic device of choice.”

IDFPR’s Division of Professional Regulation currently licenses over 1.1 million professionals in more than 200 license categories throughout the State of Illinois.

Follow IDFPR on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to stay current on the latest from the state’s regulatory agency.

Governor Rauner Joins State and Local Officials to Tour Flood Damage in Lake County

Press Release from Governor Bruce Rauner’s office

GURNEE, IL – Friday, Governor Bruce Rauner toured flood damage in Gurnee with state and local officials who have been on the front line of addressing the considerable flooding and response efforts over the last week.

“Our first responders have done a tremendous job ensuring the safety of Lake County residents, especially quickly moving patients at Lake Forest Hospital to ensure their safety,” said Governor Rauner. “Everyone, including residents, volunteers, first responders and IEMA have stepped up to assist those in need.”

The flood damage has impacted roads, homes, hospitals and apartments in the Lake County area. American Red Cross shelters are open in Grayslake, Round Lake and North Chicago. Volunteers have increased efforts to minimize damage and help residents begin the cleanup process. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.

“I want to thank our public works staff, first responders, volunteers and neighbors across Lake County who are helping us respond to what is expected to be a record flood,” said Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor. “The past 24 hours have been very challenging for the residents of Lake County. Once the waters recede, recovery, clean-up, and damage assessment will continue for weeks. It’s important to remember we are all in this together.”

The Rauner Administration is ensuring that those affected by the floods have access to the resources they need to recover and prepare for any additional flooding. Sandbagging efforts are still continuing in Gurnee and surrounding towns as the area prepares for possible weekend floods.

“IEMA has been in continual contact with emergency managers in the flood-impacted counties to ensure they get any state resources needed as quickly as possible,” said James K. Joseph, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “Thanks to strong emergency response capabilities and solid planning in this area, there have been few requests for state resources to this point. We will continue to lean forward in support of these communities as long as needed.”

Everyone should be prepared for more flooding to occur in the area. IEMA recommends being mindful of residual floodwaters during the cleanup process. With water still high in many places, it is critical that people do not attempt to drive on flooded roads; turn around, don’t drown. For more information, please go to http://www.ready.illinois.gov/.

Moody’s still eyeing Illinois credit downgrade, says school funding reform unresolved

https://www.ilnews.org/news/economy/moody-s-still-eyeing-illinois-credit-downgrade-says-school-funding/article_ebd048a6-68c1-11e7-9313-f35ab9a49af9.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL  –  (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Moody’s Investors Service said Friday they’re still looking negatively at Illinois for a possible downgrade despite the budget and tax hike imposed by the legislature.

One issue Moody’s raised is the uncertainty of funding for K-12 districts “since [schools districts] will not receive revenue appropriated by the new budget until a separate, evidence-based funding model is enacted.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner said Friday he’s certain schools will open.

“Schools are going to open,” Rauner said. “We’re going to make sure schools get open, and we’re going to make sure that it’s done on a basis that’s fair for taxpayers all across the state and it doesn’t benefit only one community at the expense of residents of other communities.”

Two New Competitions Coming to 2017 Illinois State Fair

Register today for your chance to participate in two new game shows!

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Agriculture

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Two popular televised games shows are making their way to the Illinois State Fair.  Do you have what it takes to compete?  Online registration is now open for those brave enough to compete at the 2017 Illinois State Fair.

This year, the Illinois State Fair will be hosting its own versions of The Newlywed Game and Beat Shazam on the fair’s newest stage, The Rising Star stage. Participants who sign up to play will have the opportunity to win two free tickets to that evening’s grandstand concert!

In The Newlywed Game, two couples will face off against each other by answering a series of questions to determine which couple knows each other better! You don’t have to be a newlywed to participate.  We welcome couples who have been married for 8 days to 80 years!

Beat the DJ is the Illinois State Fair’s take on this summer’s new game show, Beat Shazam on FOX.  Two teams of two will battle it out to see who can correctly name songs the fastest before testing their musical IQ against a local radio DJ. 

To register for a chance to compete in these fun competitions, sign up online at illinoisstatefair.info.  Registration can be found under the Competition tab.  Participants will be notified by email if they have been selected to compete.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News