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Another Illinois State Police trooper killed Thursday White Conducting Roadside Check

FREEPORT, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois State Police trooper was killed Thursday when she was struck by a truck during a traffic stop, the second trooper to die that way this year.Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was killed in the crash that occurred on Route 20 near Route 75 in Freeport, state police officials said. Jones-Story was a 12-year veteran of the Illinois State Police District 16 in Pecatonica.

"Today is a dark day for the Illinois State Police family," said Acting Director Brendan F. Kelly. Director Kelly continues to urge motorists to slow down…

 

 

Acting State Police Director Brendan Kelly

 Jones-Story was inspecting a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the crash. She is the second state trooper killed in a crash this year. Thursday's accident was the 15th time since January that a state trooper or a police squad car has been struck by motorists. That's double last year's total of eight.

 

DENVER (AP) — A Catholic order in Colorado has released the names of 13 friars accused of sexual abuse. The Denver Post reports that the Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Conrad in Denver provided information obtained through a 2018 audit ordered by its head minister that uncovered abuses of minors or vulnerable adults.The order says two of the 13 friars are dead and five have left the order, but none are currently in active ministry.The Capuchin order is in 5 states including Illinois.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- Charges against a Clarence man have been dismissed, for now. Ford County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian says that charges  of unlawful restraint and battery against 48 year old Michael Hari were dismissed on Thursday in Ford County Court. The Ford County Record reports that the charges could be re filed at a later date. The dismissal could also prevent Hari from remaining in Illinois as he faces a trial in Minnesota for alleged acts of terrorism for a mosque bombing. WPXN news will continue to follow this story as it warrants.

 

 

(Washington--ba) What is the status on grain stocks to date. Gary Crawford has the numbers....

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  A Tuesday night fire destroyed a building in Paxton and it’s contents, that included 18 antique and vintage vehicles. In an update of our story,  Paxton Fire Department Chief Denny Kingren says the building at total loss and the value of the vehicles is undertermined...

 

Paxton Fire Department Chief Denny Kingren

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- After a hard-fought campaign during which Governor. J.B. Pritzker promised he would balance Illinois’ budget on the backs of the rich, 67 percent of voters support the idea of a graduated income tax according to a new poll, fewer than a year ago. In the latest polling, of 1,000 registered Illinois voters, professor John Jackson at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale says most still support changing Illinois’ constitution to allow for higher income tax rates on higher earners.

 

(Rantoul--jc) The Rantoul Beautification Committee is set for a fundraiser to help with the beautification in the village. Group spokesperson Paula Hopkins, of A House of Flowers, says a talent show is set for Sunday April 7th at the high school. All types of acts will be performing with over a dozen already scheduled. Hopkins says all money raised goes to help keep Rantoul a great place to live, work and shop…

 

 

Rantoul Beautification Committee Spokesperson Paula Hopkins

 

 

(Farmer City--jc)  Let the racing begin. The 12 annual Illini 100 presented by Douglas Dodge kicks off on April 4th with open practice at the Farmer City Raceway . On Friday April 5th its the U-M-P Modifieds, DirtCar Stock Cars, and Pro late Models.  World of Outlaws Late Model Series competition begins on Friday and also runs on Saturday night.Friday night’s purse is 6 thousand dollar to win and 75 lap event on Saturday has a winner’s prize of 15 thousand dollars. Racing then continues each week through August at the Farmer City Raceway.

The annual I-74 race is May 9th and 10th.

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  Springtime is sign up time for baseball in Rantoul. Officials with the Rantoul Recreation Department say there are only a few more days to register for Little League baseball. April first is the sign up deadline. A waiting list will be started on the second. More information is found by contacting the Rantoul Rec Department.


 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The Paxton IGA is hosting a cookout on Saturday from 10am until 2pm. Profits from the cookout will benefit the Council of Catholic Women and Saint Mary Catholic Church of Paxton On the menu is ribeye steak sandwiches, chips and pop.

 

(Chicago--jc)  -- Illinois' Catholic leaders urged lawmakers Thursday to oppose two bills that would change the state's abortion laws.The state's six bishops addressed lawmakers at a news conference in Springfield. Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, spoke against the proposed  Reproductive Health Act and another bill that would repeal a state law requiring parental notification for minors seeking an abortion. Cardinal Cupich says the church mustt view this proposed legislation as the latest attack on human dignity, motivated by the dominant cultural ethic that asserts that lives of unborn children have no value and sanctity when weighed against the wishes and needs of others.

 

(SPRINGFIELD) — A bipartisan bill that could provide Illinoisans needed property tax relief passed unanimously in the Illinois House on Thursday. Democrat Representative Rita Mayfield’s bill would give more education dollars to students and also look to reduce the number of school districts in the state.  Illinois has 852 school districts. Mayfield says a reduction in school districts would generate savings by decreasing administrative bloat and allowing more education dollars to reach the classroom.

 

(Springfield--jc) Illinois Governor JB Pritzker continues to pursue additional tax dollars to help bring more money into the state coffers and to add services and programs to Illinoisans. Governor Pritzker says the taxes and fees are needed…

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

 

(Washington--ba)-Flooded areas in the Corn Belt should brace for even more rain.  Stephanie Ho reports.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- It’s on to the full House for a measure that would give local governments the ability to assess their own gas tax of up to 3 cents a gallon. House Bill 102 had already been approved by the House Revenue and Finance Committee. An amendment to allow local government to tack on up to 3 cents a gallon to the state’s current 19 cents a gallon was approved in committee  Thursday.“This bill gives an opportunity for the locals to impose a 3 cents a gallon motor fuel tax,” said state Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside. “I intend to have fuller discussions with the transit board and all interested stakeholders including labor.”

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois University is slowing its search for a new president while leaders work on a new mission, vision and strategic priorities for the two-university system. Interim President Kevin Dorsey replaced ousted S-I-U President Randy Dunn last summer . The original plan called for the Board of Trustees to interview candidates this summer and have a permanent president in place by August. But The Southern Illinoisan reports trustees opted Wednesday to delay the process.

 

(Springfield--c)  The Illinois State Fair is adding rock group “Bad Company” to the grandstand concert lineup. State Fair Spokesperson Morgan Booth says Bad Company will perform with Foghat on Saturday August 11th…

 

 

State Fair Spokesperson Morgan Booth

Tickets go on sale on Saturday April 20th.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  A look at the history of the Chanute Air Force Base is set for next week at the Urbana Public Library. The event will feature music from the Chanute 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest, The event will take place on the first floor of the library in The McFarlane-Hood and Busey Mills reading rooms. Other parts of the day include scale military planes, and a Chanute conversation corner. Food will also be available. The event runs from 11am to 3pm on the 6th at the library in Urbana.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- A mural project is coming to the downtown area of Rantoul soon.. The village, downtown businesses and downtown business association are helping with the project. The mural will be placed on the west side of the Lindsey Lane Bridal Shop in downtown Rantoul.  More on the project is expected to come soon.

 

 

(Roberts--jc)  -- A benefit for the late Ron Ennen is set for tomorrow in Roberts. The event runs from 3pm to 7pm at the Roberts gym. A free will donation meal, drawings, silent auction and bake sale hilite the event. The benefit organizer are members of the St Peter Lutheran Church in Thawville.

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