CHICAGO (AP) — Federal officials have approved Illinois' request for local governments recovering from historic flooding to receive federal assistance. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday that 27 counties will be eligible to apply for federal loans or grants. Local governments will have 30 days to submit documents for assistance with flood-related losses or costs from fighting floods

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Some of the lead negotiators of the law to legalize adult use marijuana in Illinois are seeking to provide clarity on a provision that gives local municipalities control over which facilities, if any, would be authorized to allow cannabis consumption. The topic is at the top of the discussion list for potential follow up legislation, which could be heard when the General Assembly returns for veto session in late October. The bill legalizes adult use marijuana in public places such as restaurants which sponsorer Heather Steans says is not the intent of the bill. While the bill prohibits smoking cannabis in any place where smoking is prohibited under the Smoke Free Illinois Act, further language permits a local unit of government to exempt certain facilities from the Smoke Free Act.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois unemployment rate hit a historic low last month. The August jobless rate came in at four percent in August, down from four point two in July. That’s the lowest monthly rate on record and a good sign says Sam Salustro with the Illinois Department of Employment Security…

 

 

Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Sam Salustro. Jobs fell slightly from July to August, but are up by 65 thousand compared to August of 2018. The national unemployment rate is three point seven percent for August. 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A former Ludlow village trustee is facing additional charges after he attacked a correctional officer at the Champaign County Jail. Ross Radke has been in jail since he was arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons and possession of a firearm without a firearm owners identification card five months ago. Radke is accused of grabbing a corrections officer by the neck from behind while he was doing security rounds. The officer was not seriously injured. Radke is now charged with two counts of aggravated battery.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- A judge is expected to decide next month whether to order a bed and breakfast near Paxton to comply with penalties for discriminating against a same-sex couple in 2011. The Illinois Attorney General's office filed a motion in Ford County court asking the court to rule in its favor in a lawsuit against Timber Creek Bed and Breakfast.  The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Illinois Department of Human Rights after the Human Rights Commission fined the bed and breakfast $80,000 back in 2016. A hearing is scheduled for October 23rd.

(Paxton-jm) -- There will be a couple of street closures for this weekend’s Swine n Dine in downtown Paxton. Holmes to Center Streets will be closed starting at 4 am Saturday through midnight Sunday. Market Street from Pells to Center will be closed starting at 6pm today through noon on Sunday.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The city of Paxton is moving forward with a streetscape project. Mayor Bill Ingold talks about the project…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. The public will have a chance to hear more about the project and have any questions answered during an open house on September 23rd from 4 to 6 pm at city hall.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- An Illinois senator is calling for a federal tax on e-cigarettes. Dick Durbin says he plans to introduce legislation that would place a tax on the sale of e-cigarettes to help curb the use of the products by kids. Seven people in the U-S have died from the use of e-cigarettes and vaping including one in Illinois.

 

(Washington-jm) -- The current Agriculture Secretary and former Secretaries came have come together in support of the USMCA trade deal. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school district is seeking nominations for their Distinguished Alumni Award. The award recognizes alumni who made significant contributions to society, whose accomplishments, affiliations or careers have honored the legacy of excellence. Nomination forms can be found on the district's Facebook page.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- It may be September but the Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Gibson City are preparing for their annual Lighted Christmas Parade. The parade will be held on November 23rd at 6:30 pm. Caroling downtown will take place from 4 to 6:30 pm. The theme this year is Silver Bells. For more information or to sign your float up, call Susie Tongate at 309-825-0311 or Mayor Dan Dickey at 781-1905.

(Fisher-jm) -- Another area community is taking up the issue of whether or not to allow recreational marijuana sales in their community. The latest is the village of Fisher. The public is invited to give their input during a special meeting on September 25th at 6 pm.

 

 

(Roberts-jm) -- The village of Roberts is working on a drainage project. Mayor Rick Flessner talks about the project…

 

 

Roberts Mayor Rick Flessner. 

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The former chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board allegedly engaged in prohibited political activity while heading the agency that regulates gambling, according to a report released by the Office of Executive Inspector General. The report says Don Tracy made “loans and contributions either directly, or through his wife, to political committees” in violation of state law. Tracy was named the Gaming Board’s chairman by former Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2015. Tracy, whose term was to end July 1, resigned in mid-June. The Springfield lawyer told the Chicago Tribune the report was “baseless speculation.” The inspector general’s 12-page report focuses on 30 contributions from Tracy and his wife, Wanda, from the time he became Gaming Board chairman until Oct. 29. Included are eight contributions totaling $7,600 from Wanda Tracy to Rauner’s campaign fund. Most of the checks were written from the couple’s joint account, though Don Tracy’s name was crossed off on many of them, the report says.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- This summer’s Illinois State Fair brought in more money than ever before. 2019 state fair revenue reached more than six point five million dollars, breaking the previous record of six point four in 2013. State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon says great weather, new promotions and an array of musical acts helped booster numbers. He says planning is underway for next year…

 

 

State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon. Grandstand concert revenue also hit a new high this year. Gordon says they are working now to book acts for 2020. 

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  Get ready...the 2019 Paxton Swine and Dine is set for tomorrow in the city. The barbeque competitors will be busy starting at daybreak preparing their entries. Food vendors open at 11. Paxton Area Chamber President Alan Meyer says there are a lot of things to do for the entire family…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber President Alan Meyer

WPXN will be announcing the winner of our Summer Getaway Giveaway Saturday morning at 8am. The grand prize is a 1 thousand dollar travel voucher from Anywhere Anytime Journeys of Rantoul.