(Springfield--ab) J-B Pritzker is now Illinois' 43rd Governor…and is outlining a vision of what he calls “possibility and promise.” At the inauguration ceremony…Governor Pritzker talked about some of his goals, including moving to a graduated income tax system, legalizing recreational marijuana, and raising the minimum wage in Illinois.

 

 

Pritzker also discussed the need for road and bridge repairs, making government more efficient and passing a truly balanced state budget.

 

 

(Buckley--ab) Start Super Bowl Sunday with a “Taste of Italy” in the Crusader Hall of Buckley Christ Lutheran High School. The lunch on February 3rd of Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread, drinks, and dessert is at the cost of a freewill donation. The donation is ensuring that students get the same opportunities as every other student says Buckley Christ Lutheran Executive Director Sandy Spitz

 

 

Buckley Christ Lutheran Executive Director Sandy Spitz

 

 

(Illinois--ba)-A donation shortfall over the winter holidays is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood donors to give now to prevent a blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and and affecting patient care. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett reports.

 

 

 

 

(Undated--ab) Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider released the following statement in response to Governor J.B. Pritzker's inaugural address: Schneider contends that Governor Pritzker’s agenda will be the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades - borrow, tax, spend, repeat. Over the course of the election and again yesterday, Pritzker promised billions of dollars in new spending, programs, and regulations, all of which our state cannot afford. Schneider added that he feels the promises by Pritzker to support legislative leadership term limits and an independent redistricting commission - two initiatives supported by the Illinois Republican Party  are just empty promises. The Republican leader says its a wait and see for his party as they will hold the democratic leaders accountable for the promises they made during the campaign.

 

(Rantoul--ab) Approving a 10,000 micro loan to A House of Flowers is on the table for tonight’s Village of Rantoul’s Board of Trustees meeting. Other items that require action will be a micro loan of 30,000 dollars at a 2% interest rate. to Elite Pro Lawns and approve the purchase of an Asphalt Patching Trailer valued at 34,415.00 dollars.

 

(roberts--jc)  Liquidating the books at the Roberts Library remains a topic for local leaders in the Ford County community. Roberts Village President Rick Flessner says an open house to have the public stop in to get books will take place sometime this Spring…

 

Roberts Village President Rick Flessner.

 

(Ford County--jc)  -- A large swine operation is being proposed for a rural area in western Ford County. The Ford County board is hosting a meeting on Thursday  at the Sullivant Township Hall in Sibley beginning at 5pm. The purpose of the meeting is to get public input about the proposed swine operation. The meeting will be ran by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

 

(Paxton--ab) Paxton Illinois used to be named Prospect City and the town in 2019 is seeing all sorts of business prospects opening up in the Ford County town. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says 53 out of 59 storefronts have businesses inside of them.

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Springfield--ab) 53rd district State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington has the task of being part of the minority party in Springfield. Democrat J B Pritzker was sworn into office on Monday. Barickman says regardless of who

took his oath of office last week and looks ahead to the problems that need solved no matter the party of the Governor.

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington

 

(Springfield--ba)-With the inauguration completed, lawmakers continue to expand gambling in the state and legalize marijuana for recreational use by adults, and while both seem to have strong support and the backing of the next governor, approval could hinge on the details. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the story.

 

 

(Champaign--ab) A Parkland College arts department received the major gift of a $150,000 donation from a local physician who had taken classes in the department. On Jan. 7, family members of the late Dr. Victor Feldman presented the Parkland College Foundation with the gift, designated to support Ceramics, a studio-art department within the college's Art and Design program. A longtime Champaign-Urbana ophthalmologist who passed away last May, Dr. Feldman began taking Parkland Ceramics classes after his retirement, discovering a new skill he enjoyed for many years thereafter.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Former Gifford resident Mike Frerichs was inaugurated again as the State Treasurer on Monday in Springfield. Frerichs took the oath of office again and talked about life, story telling of Mark Twain  and the financial gains of the office under his leadership. The Champaign County resident also was thankful for a strong family…

 

 

Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- A ribbon cutting ceremony for newly renovated apartments in downtown Paxton is set for Thursday at 11am. The event for the 2nd floor apartments above the Edward Jones-Kief Realty-Paxton Chamber offices. The Royce Baier family has completed the renovations and an open house is also set for Thursday.

 

(Paxton--jc)  One local church is hosting a family night on Friday. The Paxton Church of Christ is the venue for board games, pizza, and snacks. The event starts at 6-30 pm at the Church on Paxton’s west side. More information is found by contacting the church. The public is invited