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‘Obviously a big loss’ as Central Illinois first responders bid farewell to 23-year-old firefighter

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‘Obviously a big loss’ as Central Illinois first responders bid farewell to 23-year-old firefighter


GRIDLEY (25News Now) – A 23-year-old Central Illinois man who dedicated his life to serving others was laid to rest in El Paso on Saturday.

Normal firefighter Ethan Jeffreys was remembered as a ‘rising star’ in emergency services before passing away from stomach cancer.

Jeffreys began his EMS career with the Illinois National Guard before joining his hometown El Paso Emergency Squad. He then joined the Normal Fire Department, and shortly after was diagnosed with cancer.

Firefighters from across the area attended his funeral at Christ Community Church in Gridley. After the service, he was buried in El Paso’s Evergreen Cemetery.

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“Obviously a big loss, he was one of the people that rose to the top on our list to hire firefighters. We really thought he had a lot of promise and a great future with the fire department,” said Chief Mick Humer of the Normal Fire Department.

Jeffreys was buried with full honors by the Illinois National Guard and Normal Fire Department. Firefighters from Bloomington and Peoria covered for Normal firefighters so they could attend the funeral.

You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.



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Catching up with Illinois State after huge playoff upset victory

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Catching up with Illinois State after huge playoff upset victory



Illinois State Redbirds pulled off the comeback of the year and maybe all-time this past Saturday. 

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ISU, who were 23-point underdogs, rallied from 14 points down with three minutes to go to knock off No. 1-ranked and defending champion North Dakota State in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs in Fargo, North Dakota. 

Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse overcame five interceptions to engineer the huge 29-28 upset. 

Head coach Brock Spack and Arlington Heights receiver Dan Sobkowicz, who caught the game-winning touchdown, discussed the team’s spirit following the win. 

“I had 142 texts, and so, I answered every single one of em, how about that. Either with a fist bump or thumbs up or ‘thank you very much,’ I answered every one,” Spack said. “Our players persevered, and they never lost. You can tell this is a different vibe. They just never lost confidence that they were going to win. To have five turnovers, and to be able to survive that and win, and beat these guys like that is amazing.”  

“Obviously, it was a really good scrambler,” Sobkowicz said. “Just kinda wanted to make something happen, I mean, he found me, and, uh, obviously, I didn’t really think much of it, honestly, at that play right after, but words can’t really explain how much that meant. I think it’s just a cool moment that I’m probably never going to forget.”

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The Redbirds will play UC-Davis Saturday in the FCS quarterfinals. 



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Pritzker signs new Illinois law seeking to limit immigration enforcement at schools, daycares

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Pritzker signs new Illinois law seeking to limit immigration enforcement at schools, daycares


Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has officially signed into a law a bill that would seek to limit immigration enforcement at colleges, daycares, courthouses and more.

Under provisions of HB 1312, which was signed into law Tuesday, enhanced protections are expected to be put into place on those institutions, as well as at hospitals and other entities.

Pritzker signed the bill after “Operation: Midway Blitz” resulted in more than 3,000 arrests around the Chicago area this year, with more immigration enforcement expected as the Trump administration continues to step up its efforts.

“Dropping your kid off at day care, going to the doctor, or attending your classes should not be a life-altering task,” Pritzker said at the bill signing ceremony. “Illinois, in the face of cruelty and intimidation, has chosen solidarity and support.”

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One piece of the bill prohibits schools from threatening to disclose the citizenship or immigration status of any employee, student or contractor without consent.

Schools will also be required to provide information on their websites about who employees and students should speak to if an immigration enforcement agent attempts to enter a school campus or engages in “nonconsensual interactions with members of the school community,” according to the text of the bill.

“Education allows our communities to progress and build a better life – an essential part of the American dream. Pursing an education is a right that should not be threatened by armed, masked federal agents on our college campuses,” said State Sen. Karina Villa in a statement. “Many immigrant parents dream of the day their child graduates from college. That goal is what makes all of their sacrifices and labor worth it. In Illinois, we will defend that dream.”

Campus communities will also be notified when immigration enforcement activity occurs on campus, according to Sen. Villa’s office.

The bill also creates a “Court Access, Safety and Participation Act,” which aims to protect residents from civil arrest if they are attending a state court proceeding, or if they are going to or returning from such a proceeding. That includes if a party is a plaintiff or defendant in a case, or if they are a witness or accompanying a participant in the proceeding.

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The bill permits individuals to seek civil damages against anyone violating that provision of the law.

Hospitals under the act will be required to adopt and implement policies regarding interactions between law enforcement agents and patients, and will be required to post those policies on their websites.

Immigration enforcement agents will also be required to present valid identification and signed judicial warrants to access licensed daycare centers under provisions of the act, according to officials.

Finally, the bill allows residents to file lawsuits against immigration enforcement agents who violate the state or U.S. Constitutions, according to the text of the legislation.

The bill takes immediate effect in the state of Illinois.

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Illinois making progress shrinking gender pay gap, but disparities persist: report

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Illinois making progress shrinking gender pay gap, but disparities persist: report


CHICAGO (WLS) — A new report shows Illinois is making progress shrinking the gender pay gap, but disparities in pay still persist, particularly for some minority workers.

Professor Robert Bruno, director of labor education and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joined ABC7 Chicago Monday to talk more about it.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

He discussed the study and how it was conducted, its key findings about the gender pay gap, what was learned about minority workers and why some industries were more impacted than others.

SEE ALSO: Bronzeville celebration focuses on pay gap between Black women, white men

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He also touched on his recommendations from the report.

“Ensuring pay equity does more than protect justice in the workplace,” Bruno said. “Paying workers fairly regardless of race or gender contributes to a lifetime of higher earnings.”

Visit https://lep.illinois.edu/project-for-middle-class-renewal for more information.

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