Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a law strengthening the One Day Rest in Seven Act.

The One Day Rest in Seven Act gives workers the right to a day of rest every workweek and meal or rest breaks during daily work shifts. The changes enacted as part of Senate Bill 3146 are intended to clarify the day of rest requirements for workers whose schedules don’t align with a Sunday to Saturday calendar week, and apply to any consecutive seven-day work period. The amendments also require an additional 20-minute break for workers during a 12-hour shift and clarify penalties for bad actors.

Employers with fewer than 25 employees that violate the act can face a penalty of $250 per offense and damages up to $250 per offense. Employers with 25 or more employees that violate the act can face a penalty of $500 per offense and damages up to $500 per offense.

Every employer covered by the Act must post a notice at the workplace to notify employees of their rights under this Act. IDOL will provide this notice on its website for employers to download and post.

The changes will take effect January 1st giving employers time to update meal and rest break policies to remain in compliance.

The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation’s annual Believe In Education drawing has kicked off with a good start. Less than half of the 4,000 tickets remain.

Foundation Director Amy Albers says the lucky winner of the $10,000 grand prize will be announced live during the a break from CJ Ryder & The Pastmasters’ concert kicking off the Jacksonville Main Street Downtown Summer Concert Series on June 3rd: “It’s always a lot of fun for us to be a part of the concert. It’s exciting for the crowd there also because we usually have a few tickets left to sell. Also, this year, we have a County Market $500 Gift Card to throw in the mix, which for some reason, always sounds a lot more fun than giving away $500 in cash.”

There are other chances to win cash prizes from $1,000 to $250 during the drawing. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25 and can be purchased at County Market, The Farmers State Bank & Trust Company, Jones Meat & Locker, Craig Albers/Investment Advisors Group, and the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation Office located at 211 West State Street.

Albers says if you live outside of the area, there are also options to get in on the drawing: “We have a lot of tickets every year sold outside of Jacksonville. They can either pay by PayPal, which we have a link to our website from Jacksonville School District 117’s website, which is www.jsd117.org or people can call me and can give me their payment information over the phone. I’m happy to fill out tickets for them. They can call 217-243-9411, extension 1133.”

Listen for a chance to a win a free ticket during the mornings with Bob Thomas on AM1180 WLDS, or during Lunch With the Legends and the evening drive with Kate on WEAI 107.1FM The Eagle.

Jacksonville Police are investigating an overnight shots fired incident.

Police were called to a residence in the 600 block of North East Street at 12:47 this morning. The complainant told police several shots were fired at their residence with people inside.

No injuries were reported. No further information is available. The incident remains under investigation.

Jacksonville Police advise anyone with further information to call 217-479-4630 or call Morgan-Scott-Cass Crime Stoppers anonymously at 217-243-7300.

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law on May 6th chiefly sponsored by local Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer.

House Bill 4243 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow individuals with a suspended license in the last three years due to failure to pay child support to obtain a school bus driver permit under a new set of circumstances.

Davidsmeyer says that with the school bus driver shortage, the impetus of the bill came from a constituent wanting to get employment as a bus driver to pay back his back child support: “A constituent came to us and said: ‘I’ve got an issue here. I’ve had a commercial driver’s license my whole life, and I got behind on my child support, and they took my license away.’ Actually, if you haven’t had a driver’s license for the 3 years prior to applying to becoming a bus driver, you can’t be a bus driver. We just thought it was fair to say that if it was not a driving offense or the reason for taking away the license, then we should allow people to continue to work so that they could pay back those back bills and help out our school districts by being a bus driver at the same time.”

The bill received bi-partisan support in both chambers of the General Assembly, and was co-sponsored in the Illinois Senate by Steve McClure.

Davidsemeyer says he’s voted for a number of bills over the years that help people pay off their debts and get back in the good graces of society.

He says he wasn’t surprised by Governor J.B. Pritzker signing the bill: “No, I think this is a very common sense issue. We are going to continue to [look for bills like this.] I even had a transportation union out of Chicago contact me out of the blue about the bill. They thought it was a great bill, and they want to work on other infractions outside of child support to make sure that they have more opportunities for bus drivers and things of that profession.”

The new legislation will take effect on January 1^st.

The Rotary Club of Jacksonville recently recognized three high school seniors with scholarships.

The awards were made as part of the Rotary Club’s scholarship program, which provided one $1,000 college scholarship in memory of Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert, and two additional $2,000 Rotary college scholarships. In order to receive the scholarships, the recipients must be well-rounded students who engage in community service and leadership positions. The Rotary scholarships are open to all students who live within the boundaries of Jacksonville School District 117, regardless of the school they attend. The SSG Matthew Weikert scholarship recognizes service and leadership, and targets – but is not limited to – Jacksonville High School graduates/seniors who are returning to school or are seeking two-year programs.

The SSG Matthew Weikert Scholarship was awarded to Lexi Lane of JHS. Her service and work resumé include: group and activity leader at Saturday Science, Youth Council member at Midwest Youth Services, “Take it to the Streets” summer lunch program volunteer, assisted with Wesley Vacation Bible School, worked with the stage crew for the Fall play and the Musical, and worked as a graphics assistant and designer at Bound to Stay Bound. Her school participation activities include: National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Scholastic bowl, Science club, Geography club, Student Government, Interact club, Chess club, and Key club. Lexi will be attending Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Katelyn Keller of Jacksonville High School was selected for the Rotary Scholarship due to her extensive resumé of community service and leadership, which includes: planned the 5K run for the National Honor Society as the head coordinator, peer tutor at JHS, worked at wrestling meets, coached soccer for kids at the local gym, and worked at volleyball tournaments. Her leadership positions include: Treasurer of National Honors Society, Varsity Volleyball Captain, Varsity Soccer Captain, Crimson Mentor, Student Body President. Keller will be attending SIU Edwardsville in the direct admit Nursing program.

Natalie Evans of Routt Catholic High School also received a Rotary Scholarship based on her extensive record of service and leadership. She has volunteered for Chili Lunch for the Track team and for the Catholic Daughters of America fish fry, rang bells for the Salvation Army, planted flowers at the Morgan County Fairgrounds, volunteered for Safe Trick or Treat for Halloween, wrote Christmas cards for local nursing homes, and volunteered at Family Fun Festival. Her leadership positions include: 2022 Track Captain, National Honor Society President, Student Body Secretary and Student Ambassador, 4H East Side junior Club president, 2021 Cheer Leading Captain, and National Junior Red Angus board of Directors. Natalie will be attending Murray State University in Veterinary Science.

More information on the scholarships can be obtained by calling Scholarship Chair Stephen Holt at 479.619.7358.

The Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is giving organizations and residents along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers a new tool to to provide better mitigation strategies and more consistent flood risk management.

The new standardized hydraulic model, which was developed using the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System, allow communities within the Upper Mississippi River System to evaluate flood risks and explore mitigation strategies to more effectively provide protection for those living and working in these areas.

Paul St. Louis, project manager for the Rock Island District of the Army Corps says the model allows for better planning in flood plains: “The hydraulic model is a computer-simulated model of specific flows that go up and down the Illinois & Mississippi Rivers. What it allows us to do is take a specific flood event, run it through the model, and then it will show us where the water would go. Why it’s needed is because people that work within flood plains and there’s industry in flood plains, so when those people plan activities, they want to know what they might do and how it will affect the flood plain and the river itself.”

St. Louis says the model is the first of its kind for the Upper Mississippi River system. Development took place in four stages that began in 2018 and was recently completed.

St. Louis says the model is now available for public use: “The model is available to anybody who wants it for whatever purpose they believe they need it for. We’ve had universities requesting it for information for studies. The Corps has used it when we want to look at how changes in the rivers might affect one of our ongoing studies or projects. Other A.E.’s and agencies may use it to evaluate alternative designs, as well.”

Total cost of the federally funded project was $1.69 million and covers more than 1,100 river miles. For more information on the hydraulic model update or to request a copy of the model visit the Army Corps of Engineers Flood Risk Management website or contact the Rock Island District at 309-794-5729.

Several popular gummy candies are being recalled by Mars Wrigley after metal shards may be found in the candy or loose in the bag.

Mars Wrigley issued the voluntary recall on Friday for certain UPCs of Skittles, Starburst, and Life Savers. Mars Wrigley said in a press release that they received reports from consumers alerting the company to the issue and were not aware of any illnesses to date.

Products were manufactured by a third party and distributed in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The following items are on the recall:

Mars Wrigley is currently working with retailers to pull any of the remaining affected product.

If consumers believe they have purchased a recalled item, they should dispose of the product and not consume it. Consumers with questions can contact the company by calling 1-800-651-2564 or by visiting https://www.mars.com/contact-us.

The Springfield FBI is seeking the public’s help to find a suspect in an arson incident that occurred last month in the southwestern portion of Christian County at a pipeline repair site.

On or about midnight on April 21^st, a suspect gained access to an excavator owned by Vance and Associates, Incorporated in rural Harvel, using it to destroy a trailer and a sandblaster. The subject(s) then set fire to the excavator and a semi-tractor trailer resulting in several hundred thousand dollars of damage.

A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered by Vance and Associates, Inc. for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this crime. If you have information regarding this incident call FBI Springfield at 217-522-9675, email: springfield@fbi.gov, or contact the Macoupin/Montgomery County Crimestoppers at 800-352-0136.

Brown County citizens and travelers are reminded that Capitol Avenue rehab construction is underway.

Hood Construction of Rushville is on site installing traffic control signs the early portion of this week, making street cuts, and preparing the construction to begin the first phase of the rehab project.

According to an update from the City of Mt. Sterling, the new water main on the east side of the street will be installed first. Parking will be limited on that side of the street.

One lane of traffic along Capitol Avenue will try to remain open while they are working on the installation.

The traveling public is reminded to be aware of heavy equipment traffic on Capitol Avenue and to also be aware of any changes in traffic flow or conditions for the duration of the project.

For any questions or concerns, contact Mt. Sterling City Hall at 217-773-2513. Continue to watch for construction updates at mtsterlingil.com or on their Facebook Page – City of Mt. Sterling Illinois.