(Springfield-jm) – One of the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuits against Illinois’ gun and magazine ban expects more lawsuits to be filed. Law Weapons sued the city of Naperville last year and expanded its lawsuit to include a challenge of Illinois’ ban from earlier this year. Owner Robert Bevis’ request for an emergency preliminary injunction while the case played out went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the case is now tied up in the appeals court with a ruling still pending. He said a right delayed is a right denied. Law Weapons has lost a million dollars in sales since last year and legal bills have cost half-a-million dollars, Bevis said. Another challenge Bevis said is likely deals with legislation on the governor’s desk. House Bill 218 would allow the state to sue gun manufacturers for advertising to children or showing paramilitary themes. If signed, the measure would also allow legal action against manufacturers who “knowingly create” conditions in Illinois that “endangers the safety or health of the public.” After the bill passed, Governor J.B. Pritzker said he’ll sign the bill. Law Weapons is also a firearms manufacturer. Bevis said they’re not responsible for someone acting nefariously. Another lawsuit Bevis expects wraps in some of the thousands of plaintiffs that have secured state-level temporary restraining orders against the state enforcing the gun and magazine ban against them. The status of those cases depends on the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on a separate challenge of the state’s ban still pending before the court.
(Springfield-jm) – The 2023 Illinois State Fair butter cow was unveiled Wednesday. The scene inside a rotating glass case in the dairy building features a girl milking a cow, and is a depiction of real-life dairy farmer, Lorilee Schultz of Orangeville Illinois…
Dairy farmer and butter cow influence Lorilee Schultz of Orangeville Illinois. A butter figure of Lorilee’s daughter Lucy is included in an additional sculpture, where she is kissing a calf. The Illinois State Fair runs through August 20th.
(Kankakee-jm) – On August 7 and August 8, 2023, KAMEG Agents, assisted by the United States Marshal Service, and local Kankakee County agencies, conducted a warrant sweep based on KAMEG investigations. 17 people were arrested on various warrants and drug charges.
(Paxton–jc) – A clothing swap is set for Saturday in Paxton, just in time for the start of a new school year. The Paxton American Legion, Auxiliary Post 150 and the First Lutheran Church are sponsoring the event. Event Spokesperson Rebecca Rutledge says its a chance to help others…
PBL School Clothing Swap Event Spokesperson Rebecca Rutledge. The event takes place on Saturday from 8am until 2pm at the First Lutheran Church in Paxton
(Champaign-jm) – In collaboration with Community Choices and the University of Illinois College of Education, Experience Champaign-Urbana launched Accessible CU, a new section on their website that helps users find local businesses that meet their accessibility needs, outlining the physical, sensory, cognitive, and accommodation-ready characteristics of local businesses.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA's annual look at cash rents shows a continuing trend of increased value year over year. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Legislation significantly increasing regulations on Illinois businesses who use temporary workers, including mandating pay rates, is now law. Business groups say the law will have negative consequences. Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed the Temp Worker Fairness and Safety Act into law. The measure restricts the practice of so-called “permatemping,” where workers are kept in temporary assignments for long periods of time. The act, which goes into effect immediately, requires temporary workers assigned to work for more than 90 days to be paid the same as a full-time employee. The law also ensures that all temp workers have the right to refuse a strikebreaking assignment without being retaliated against, and increases funding for enforcement through increased fees and increased fines for employers who violate the act. Opponents argued it is likely the 90-day requirement will discourage third-party clients from working with particular temporary laborers on a long-term basis. A separate law Illinois business groups opposed that Pritzker also signed, House Bill 1122, creates the Freelance Worker Protection Act. The governor's office said the law, which goes into effect July 1, 2024, aims to "protect freelance workers from intimidation, harassment, and discrimination from hiring parties, requires timely compensation and requires employers to provide freelance workers with written contracts."
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Fair is changing things up a bit and will hold “Ag” Day this Friday. Ag Day is usually held on Tuesday, but with school starting next week for some, fair officials wanted to make sure young exhibitors have a chance to show off their hard work, says1 Manager Rebecca Clark…
State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. The day kicks off with an Ag Day program and the State Department of Agriculture tent will have an artisan’s market and specialty growers farmstand. There’s another schedule change this year. The Governor’s Sale of Champions will now be held on Wednesday the 16th which is Governor’s Day.
(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci championed legislation that will waive fees for veterans adopting dogs or cats. Across the state, pet adoption fees vary widely depending on the organization, ranging from $50 to $275. The measure requires animal shelters and animal control facilities to waive the adoption fee for military veterans in Illinois.
(Loda–jc) The 5th annual Huntington’s Disease Golf Tournament and Course walk is set for Saturday September 9th at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. Organizers are looking for silent auction items, walkers and golfers. The golf on Saturday is full, with more golfers welcome for a Friday September 8th A-M Flight. Organizer Samantha Cox of Paxton says the goal is to raise dollars and awareness…
Huntington’s Disease Golf Tournament and Course Walk Spokesperson Samantha Cox.
(Champaign-jm) – The State Farm Center will be holding walk-in interviews for the 2023-2024 season. No appointments are necessary and casual dress is acceptable. Interview Times for Event Staff & Security: Tuesday, August 22 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 23 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Thursday, August 24 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Applicants should enter through the Lower East Entrance. Parking is available in the Northeast Lot, accessible off Kirby Avenue and Fourth Street. The entrance is the side of the building facing Fourth Street, and not the West Grand Entrance to the building.
(Washington-jm) – The Value of U.S. farmland continues to grow, despite economic headwinds. Gary Crawford reports…
WPXN News Notes…
St Joseph will hold their community festival tonight through the 12th. Tonight its the American Legion Fish fry at 5 and carnival rides and vendors from 5-10. On the 11th its carnival rides and vendors from 5-10, American Legion fish fry at 5, bags tournament at 5:30, Little Prince and Princess Coronation at 6 and SJO FFA kiddie tractor pull at 6:30. On the 12th, its the 5k wine run at 9, antique car show at 10, mutt show at 10:30, garden tractor pulls at noon, parade at 3, American Legion fish fry at 4, women’s club Bingo from 5:30-7:30 and fireworks at dusk.
The Gibson City Police Department will open their shooting range to the public tonight from 5:30-8. Cost is $5.
