SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says he will not dispatch the Illinois National Guard to Chicago to stem gun violence. The Republican on Wednesday said that "the National Guard is not for neighborhood policing." He dismissed suggestions that he call up the state militia after 74 people were shot in the city last weekend. At least 11 were killed. Chicago police have ordered 600 additional officers to the affected neighborhoods through the weekend.
JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — A northern Illinois teacher is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, also a teacher. Authorities say Michael Kazecki beat to death his wife, 38-year-old Rebecca Kazecki, after she tried to intervene Tuesday when he was hitting their 11-year-old son. Rebecca Kazecki died at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center from a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain. Will County Circuit Judge Ben Braun on Wednesday ordered Kazecki held in lieu of $2 million bond.
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner announced he has appointed Illinois Rep. Tim Butler of Springfield to serve as co-chair of the Illinois Bicentennial Commission. Butler joins fellow co-chairs Gloria Castillo and Lori Healey. Butler is a Peoria native, he is the great, great, great great-grandson of Lewis Barker, who was elected in 1818 as the state senator from Pope County and who served during the first four Illinois general assemblies. As Illinois celebrates its Bicentennial the next Illinois Top 200 project is actors. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Manager Chris Wills says two choices are from Danville in Dick Van Dyke and Gene Hackman. You can cast your vote for your favorite at Illinois-Top-200-dot-com.
(Washington--ab) -- Chinese tariffs on U.S. soybeans have thrown soybean trade patterns into what one expert calls, "unfamiliar territory". Gary Crawford reports...
(Urbana--jc) Keeping you updated...the trial of 4 Ford County men accused of conspiracy to interfere with commerce, possession of a machine gun and also charges of attempted arson was moved to November. 47 year old Michael Hari, 29 year old Michael McWhorter, 23 year old Joe Morris and 18 year old Ellis Mack are due back in federal court in Urbana on November 13th. Hari, McWhorter and Morris are also charged with attempted arson that happened at the Women’s Health Practice in Champaign in November of last year. The same three have also been indicted on civil rights and hate crime violations in Minnesota.
(Loda--jc) The 8th annual Loda Good Ole Days Truck and Tractor Pull has a rescheduled date. The event will take place on Saturday August 25th starting at 10 in the morning. Registration for the pull starts at 7am and gates open at 8am There are 13 different classes pulling in the annual event on Loda’s west side.
(Buckley--jc) -- When schools start later this month, one school will not be in session on Mondays. Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley is going to a 4 day school week. The move will help with the academic schedule at the Christian High school, but also with transportation costs for families says Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz…
School Executive Director Sandy Spitz…
The local school is also set to have its annual dinner and auction fundraiser on August 18th at the Garden Hotel in Urbana. Reservations for the event remain available from the school in Buckley, Abbe Insurance of Buckley and at the WPXN studios.
(Springfield--jc) The 20-18 Illinois State Fair begins today and once again the Butter cow is part of the annual event. It took about 63 hours and 600 pounds of butter to sculpt the butter cow this year. The Jersey cow has a winning ribbon and a Lincoln Top hat says Illinois Ag Director Raymond Poe.
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Illinois Ag Director Raymond Poe.
The Illinois State Fair runs through August 19th.
(Rankin-jc) -- Village of Rankin leaders are helping a local civic group with a drainage project. The three thousand dollar donation from the village to the Rankin Lions Club will help fix some drainage issues at Centennial Park. Work on the project will be done by local volunteers.
(Paxton--jc) -- One local theatre group has auditions tonight and on Saturday. The Tri-County Players will hold open auditions for “Windy Hollow” starting at 6-39 tonight and also at 10 Saturday morning. The Paxton theatre is located at 120 North Market Street in downtown Paxton. Needed for the production are over a dozen junior high aged kids. The play Windy Hollow will be performed on September 21st through the 23rd
(Rantoul--jc) -- You are invited to come out to Wabash Park in Rantoul on Friday night to enjoy the last of the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce’s Movies In the Park 2018 Summer Series with your family , friends and of course , one of the most popular movies of the summer , Sherlock Gnomes. !! There will be free Swag Bags for all, so bring your people, your blankets, and lawn chairs and come out and enjoy this great community event. The movie starts at dusk
(Undated--jc) -- The State of Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial minute…
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner spoke to the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce in Peoria on Wednesday. The governor talked about helping minority businesses succeed…
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner
GODFREY, Ill. (AP) — Ivanka Trump toured the welding facility at a southwestern Illinois community college as she promoted the importance of continued worker training. The daughter of President Donald Trump traveled Wednesday to Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. Trump said a new national council for U.S. workers is aiming to provide information to mid- and late-career workers about training they could seek for jobs of the future.
(Gibson City--jc) -- One Ford County church is celebrating two anniversaries this weekend. Gibson City’s American Lutheran Church has a 75th anniversary as a church and has been located along route 9 in the city for 50 years. A pie and ice cream social is set for Saturday from 3 pm to 4-30pm. The Christian Group “Jakes Boys” will perform at 5pm. The church is located at 905 E. First St. in Gibson City.
(Roberts--ab) The Village of Roberts is closing their library. Roberts Mayor Rick Flessner says several factors went into the decision to close the facility…
Roberts Mayor Rick Flessner
(Rantoul--jc) -- Some property of the U. S Air Force was apparently stolen according to a local news report. The Rantoul Press reports that ejection seats from an Air Force plane, being demolished on the former Chanute Air Force base are missing. Rantoul Police say the ejection seats were taken and sold to a third party. The seats have been recovered, but the investigation into who sold the seats continues this morning.
(Penfield--ab) A tractor pull is set for Penfield later this month. The Buck Creek Tractor Pull will be held in Penfield on August 24th. Spokesperson Ryan Musson says several classes will pull at the event...
Buck Creek Tractor Pull Event Spokesperson Ryan Musson
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois legislation designed to ensure ride-share drivers undergo adequate background checks is now law.A statement from Illinois Senate Democrats says it took effect Tuesday. It requires that those applying to be ride-share drivers provide their full name and social security number, as well as their date of birth.The statement says that before the new law prospective drivers were only required to give their address, age, driver's license number, motor vehicle registration and automobile insurance liability.
(Washington--jc) The first survey based crop forecast is set to come out on Friday. U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippey says the information might be closer to what the final harvest will be as crops are further along this year…
U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Springfield--jc) -- The 20-18 Illinois State Fair begins today at the grounds in Springfield. Free Entertainment, grandstand concerts, conservation work to harness racing, livestock show, and fair food, hilite the annual event. State Fair Manager Luke Sailer says officials associated with the fair try to keep the event affordable for families…
Illinois State Fair Manager Luke Sailer.
