(Mahomet-jc)-Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District #3 is proud to announce that in recognition of his significant accomplishments as an educator, coach and friend of the students of the Mahomet – Seymour Schools, the weight room at Mahomet-Seymour High School will be named in honor of Jim “Riz” Risley. Earlier this year, the Mahomet-Seymour Board of Education took action, per Board Policy, to name this facility in honor of Coach Risley. A presentation ceremony to recognize Coach Risley and to dedicate the room in his honor will be held on Friday May 10.
CHAMPAIGN – The State Farm Center Theatre presents Diana Ross on Thursday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 22 at 10 a.m. Diana Ross is considered one of the most successful recording artists and entertainers of all time. 2019 will be remembered as a milestone in history with a year-long Diamond Diana Celebration marking the 75th birthday of the iconic superstar.From her landmark solo career to the early days as the leader of The Supremes, Ross helped shape the sound of popular music, changing the landscape and paving the way for contemporary music.
(Gibson City--jc) -- The Gibson City Exploratory Pool Committee is set for a road trip. Members of the committee are expected to go to Flanagan and Pontiac on Thursday afternoon to view indoor pool facilities in the two communities. The committee is looking at ways to improve or replace the current pool and pool facilities. WPXN News will continue to follow this story as it develops.
INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, April 15, 2019/National FFA Organization) – Nutrien has just announced an increase in their sponsorship of the National FFA Organization. In the past, the company has worked with FFA to ensure the future of agricultural education by their generous support that provided student members with the opportunity to grow into the world’s future leaders. This year, Nutrien Ag Solutions will serve as a silver sponsor to the National FFA Organization. They will support areas such as the New Century Farmer program; Washington Leadership Conference, Ag Sales- Entrepreneurship Proficiency; support for the National FFA Expo, to name a few. In addition, they fund FFA Alumni and Supporters grants as well as the National Association of Agricultural Educators.
(Gifford--jc) There will be lots of bidding and more at Gordyville U S A later today. A kickin’-cancer event includes University of Illinois Men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood. Auctions food and surprises hilite the event near Gifford and starts at 5-30 this afternoon.
(Springfield--ba)-The Illinois senate unanimously passed a bill this week to raise awareness about the state’s move-over law. The legislation requires the secretary of state’s office to include a reminder about the law in registration renewal notices…and to include a question about it on the written driver’s exam. It’s sponsored by Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet and prompted by the increase in state troopers being hit by passing motorists.
Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet
(Springfield--jc) --The sponsor of legislation that would allow some immigrants in Illinois to enroll in Medicaid said lawmakers will vote on the matter later this spring.The bill would allow legal immigrants in Illinois via the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and on permanent work visas, known as I-766 Employment Authorization Documentation, to enroll in the state’s Medicaid program that now accounts for more than a quarter of state spending and serves more than three million people. Medicaid spending totaled about $19.3 billion in state and federal funds in 2016.Sponsor Delia Ramirez said most of these immigrants are taxpayers in the country legally who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid.
(Champaign--jc) Those traveling along Bradley Avenue in northern Champaign, may want to take another route to get to their destinations. Overnight construction work started last night and into this morning, and runs through the remainder of the week on the bridge that carries Bradley Avenue over Interstate 57. The work takes place from around 10pm each night and run through 6 in the morning this week
(Washington--jc) How did the spring tradition of decorating eggs get started? The answers vary. Gary Crawford has the story…
(Watseka--jc) Iroquois County Sheriff Derek Hagen announces that the annual Sheriff’s police scholarship applications are now available. The scholarships are funded by the department’s golf outing each year. Applications are available on the county’s website. Applications are due by May 17th
(Springfield--jc) -- The Illinois Senate is voting to lower the age that children have to start school. The legislation changes the compulsory school age from 6 to 5 years old. Proponents say children need a solid start to learn, but critics, like State Senator Chuck Weaver of Peoria says some are just not ready…
State Senator Chuck Weaver of Peoria.
Under the bill, kids born after May 31st of the school year could wait to start until they are 6. The measure is now in the Illinois House
(Washington--jc) Some loan limits are higher for ag professionals. U-S-D-A Undersecretary of Agriculture Bill Northey cites some higher loan examples.
U-S-D-A Undersecretary of Agriculture Bill Northey
(Springfield--ba)-The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is opening a new simulation center in Chicago to provide hands on training to workers. The center helps expose caseworkers and investigators to potential scenarios they may face out in the field says Governor J-B Pritzker.
Illinoia Governor J-B Pritzker
(Paxton--jc) When indoor activities begin again for the Paxton Park District, the facility they will use, will be a new one. The local park district and the Paxton Buckley Loda school board have finalized another agreement to use the gym in the new Clara Petersen School this fall and winter.
CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is making another move in its effort to reverse declining enrollment by stationing additional recruiters in Chicago and St. Louis. Associate Chancellor Jennifer DeHaemers notes out-of-state institutions have increased their presence in Illinois, upping the competition for students. She says the additional recruiters in the cities will help SIU be more competitive. The campus's enrollment is about half of its 1991 peak of 24,869 students.
(Springfield--jc) -- It’s on to the state House for legislation that would require towns that hire part-time firefighters to pay part of their full-time pensions.Should the bill become law, any town larger than 5,000 people that hires a part-time firefighter would be required to pay into the pension system of their full-time employer. State Senator Melinda Bush said larger departments are beginning to keep their full-time firefighters from taking extra work. Bush says this is a liability issue. The bill was opposed by dozens of fire departments and firefighters. State Senator Craig Willcox said the bill could result in no part-time work for firefighters across the state. The bill would also allow the state comptroller to withhold state distributed funds from towns until they’ve paid what they’re supposed to for pensions. State Senator Don DeWitte said the bill would force property tax increases or service cuts to pay for unexpected pension bills.
(Springfield--ba)-The public may soon have a place to report potholes. The Senate unanimously passed a bill creating a new website where motorists can log potholes and other road dangers in Illinois. It’s sponsored by Senator Dan Mcconchie of Hawthorn woods.
Senator Dan Mcconchie
(Springfield--jc) -- Fines for illegally passing a school bus in Illinois may be doubled House lawmakers passed a bill raising the fine for driving around a school bus with it’s arm extended from 150 dollars to 300 dollars. Repeat offenders would pay 1 thousand dollars instead of the current 500 dollars. State Representative Darren Bailey of Louisville says the stiffer penalties are meant to be a deterrent…
State Representative Darren Bailey of Louisville.
Those on the other side of the issue say enhanced penalties do not work
Gibson City, IL, April 15, 2019 –Trade publication Becker's Healthcare has released its 2019 list of leaders making a positive impact on their organizations. This year’s featured CEOs lead hospitals consistently recognized by the National Rural Health Association and American Hospital Association as top institutions. .For the sixth year in a row, Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services CEO Rob Schmitt has been named among these top 60 rural hospital and health system CEOs to know, one of only two CEOs selected from Illinois. Schmitt, who has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare leadership, is a fellow of both the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
(Boston--jc) Daniel Romanchuk, 20, is the first American man to win the Boston Marathon wheelchair division since 1993 and the youngest to have done so thus far. He won the race in 1 hour, 21 minutes and 36 seconds, repeating a feat he accomplished at the New York Marathon in November and the Chicago Marathon in October. Last year, Romanchuk also placed third in marathons in Boston and London. Romanchuk is a Parkland College student with plans to transfer to the University of Illinois.
(Paxton--jc) How many people in Paxton use the “Show Bus” public transportation service. That is the question before Paxton City leaders. The City of Paxton has made donations to the group that has routes through 9 area counties, including Ford. Paxton leaders are seeking input from Show Bus. Donations to the group and information on usage is an expected topic when the Paxton City Council meets in May.
(Paxton--jc) -- One local company in Paxton is hosting an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday. Officials with Accolade Healthcare Paxton Senior Living Facility say the event is set for Saturday starting at 10am. The event is open to kids ages 1 through 10. The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance for pictures
