(Springfield-jm) – Democrats are applauding the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the state’s no-cash bail law. The 5 to 2 decision found that the “Pre-Trial Fairness Act” is indeed constitutional. Supporters say it’s needed to end the disparity between those who can afford to pay bail and those who cannot. Senator Elgie Sims of Chicago…
State Senator Elgie Sims of Chicago. No cash-bail, which will take effect September 18th, is a provision of the Safe-T Act. Governor J-B Pritzker says he is pleased with the decision and says he looks forward to transitioning to a more equitable and just Illinois. While other states have limited cash bail, Illinois is the first in the nation to completely abolish the practice. Opponents have argued that without a bail system in place, criminal suspects will be let loose and threaten public safety. But that hasn’t been the case elsewhere, says Attorney General Kwame Raoul…
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Raoul reminds that under Illinois’ Pre-Trial Fairness Act, judges can keep a person charged with a crime behind bars if deemed a flight risk or threat to society.
(Crescent City–jc) – The Iroquois County Fair has a new Queen and Little Miss Iroquois Fair Queen. Kiernan Tammen of Danforth was selected as fair queen and Paisley Vance of Buckley is this year’s Little Miss. Tammen reacts to being announced as queen…
20-23 Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen Kiernan Tammen of Danforth
Abby Hanson was named Miss Congeniality
WPXN will be broadcasting live over the noon hour today and our charity ice cream booth will be in operation starting at noon.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched Tuesday afternoon, to the 1200 block of S. Mattis Avenue for a report of a robbery at a credit union. Upon arrival, officers learned a suspect entered the credit union, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of currency. The suspect is described as an African American male in his late 20s or early 30s with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black pants, white gloves, and dark-colored sneakers. His face was hidden by a black mask.
(Springfield-jm) – High inflation continues to be a hot political topic. Although a recent report shows inflation has cooled down some to 3% down from 4% the previous month, it’s still higher than where the Fed would like it to be. 104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian talks about how the state budget was affected by inflation and hopes lawmakers can help bring relief…
104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian. The Illinois General Assembly reconvenes for the fall veto session in October.
(Ford County-jm) – The presence of West Nile virus is now confirmed in Ford County, health officials announced. The Ford County Public Health Department announced on Tuesday that a positive test result was recently taken from a bird. It’s the first positive bird sample detected in the county in 2023. Surveillance for West Nile virus is ongoing in Ford County and throughout Central Illinois. Until October 15, anyone who finds a dead bird that appears to have died from natural causes is asked to report it to the Ford County Public Health Department at 217-379-9281.
(Urbana-jm) – The reopening date of Urbana’s Hotel Royer is being pushed back again. The hotel’s owners purchased the 100-year-old hotel in 2020 and began a renovation project the following year. Since then, they’ve had to delay the opening date twice and have to do so again, citing supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ownership group is now asking the Urbana City Council for an extension that will set a new opening date of February 29, 2024.
(Washington-jm) – The condition of the corn crop improved during this past week. Gary Crawford reports…
(Crescent City-jc)-Last night was opening night of the 2023 Iroquois County Fair. 4-H animal shows begin at 8 this morning, make your own ice cream in the kids zone at 10 am, milking cows in the dairy barn at 4, armband night from 6-10 pm with Swyear Amusements with the ITPA tractor pull at 6.
(Champaign-jm) – One of two suspects in a recent burglary in Champaign has been arrested, police officials said. The burglary happened on June 11 at Soma Ultralounge in downtown Champaign. Champaign County Crime Stoppers asked for help on Monday in solving this burglary, but it turns out one of the suspects was arrested two days earlier. Champaign Police officials said that on Saturday, officers spotted a man who matched the description of one of the suspects. The man was identified as Michael Ross. Officials added that when interviewed, he admitted to his role in the burglary. Ross was arrested and booked into the Champaign County Jail on a burglary charge.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced their multi-year public infrastructure plan. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City hi-lites the investment…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Rantoul-jm) – State Representative Mike Marron is hosting a Family Resource Fair at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8. The Rantoul Family Sports Complex is located at 744 S. Murray Rd. in Rantoul. Marron said the resource fair will provide an opportunity to learn about over a dozen organizations and what benefits they offer. Marron said this event is free for all ages and will include a snack provided by Sam's Club.
(Champaign-jm) – The Eastern Illinois Foodbank announced a $45,000 grant for United Way of Champaign County Tuesday. This program, known as a food fund, will help provide staple food items to meet emergency food assistance needs. The food fund allows food pantries and feeding programs to receive a discount toward shared maintenance fees or the purchase price of products ordered from the Foodbank.
(Washington-jm) – The nation's soybean crop looks better than it did just a week ago. Gary Crawford reports…
