(Decatur-jm) – The state is expanding mental health access in rural areas around the state. Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker made the announcement this week at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Beginning today, most Illinois DMV facilities will require an online appointment to get drivers licenses, Real IDs and driving tests. It is part of a move to modernize the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles. The aim is to cut down on wait times at facilities where people can wait hours, depending on the lines. The appointments will be required at 44 locations throughout the state. 

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  As we head into the Labor Day holiday this weekend, several new businesses have opened or are ready to open this month in Rantoul. Starbucks and Jersey Mike’s will open soon and work on future business to locate in the village is in the works.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man faces 4-15 years in prison if he’s convicted of sexual assault. Cecil Ervin is facing charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. Prosecutors say the alleged incidents took place between 2021 and July 2023.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Ford County Veterans Assistance Information Center continues to work with local veterans and their families. The local group, based in the state street mall in Paxton, helps veterans with health issues, financial needs and more.

Those veterans’ and families wanting more information may stop by the center in Paxton or contact the center on-line. 

 

(Champaign-jm) – A building being demolished in Champaign came down quicker than expected on Thursday, and it happened on top of at least two people. The collapse happened on Hill Street between State and Randolph Streets. Two people were rescued from the rubble and taken away from the scene by ambulance. There is no word on their conditions.

 

(Chicago-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker and other elected leaders want President Joe Biden to ease work restrictions for asylum seekers and other long-term undocumented workers. Capitol News Illinois reports more than 13-thousand asylum seekers have arrived in Chicago since last August, when Texas Governor Greg Abbott began bussing refugees to cities led by Democrats. Migrants can’t apply for work permits until five months after they’ve applied for asylum in the U.S. – a process that can also take months. At a Chicago news conference, Pritzker and business leaders said allowing states like Illinois to sponsor work permits for asylum seekers would also help ease the ongoing workforce shortage in key industries like food processing, health care, transportation and energy…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security this week, Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson urged the expansion of an existing program that allows refugees from certain countries – like Afghanistan, Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela – to apply for short-term work permits.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Labor Day holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. today to 11:59 p.m. Monday. Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 2,500 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program.

 

(Momence-jm) – Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation, Zone 1 is requesting the public’s assistance in the investigation surrounding the death of 52-year-old Bert N. Lawton of Grant Park, IL.  On August 27, 2023 at approximately 2:45 a.m troopers responded to a hit and run crash involving a motorcycle and passenger vehicle on 14000 East and 4000 North Road in Momence, IL.  The driver of the motorcycle, Bert N. Lawton, was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased.  The offending vehicle fled the scene westbound onto 4000 North Road into Momence and is believed to have sustained heavy front-end damage. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the ISP DCI Zone 1 at 815-209-6567.  Witnesses can remain anonymous.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The 2023 Paxton Swine and Dine BBQ Competition and Festival will take place Saturday, September 16th in downtown Paxton. Spokesperson Alan Meyer says its a full day of activities…

 

 

Paxton Swine and Dine Spokesperson Alan Meyer.

 

(Livingston County-jm) – On August 25th two batches of mosquitoes collected by Livingston County Health Department’s Director of Environmental Health, Donnie Simmons, tested positive for West Nile virus – one batch in Flanagan and one in Pontiac. The Livingston County Health Department is also reporting two bats testing positive for rabies in Livingston County as of 2023. No people were exposed; however, pets were exposed to the infected bats.

 

 

(Washington-jm) – What does USDA's first Fiscal Year 2024 forecast for agricultural exports look like? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

 

Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting Loda Lutheran Ladies Aid on Saturday from 10-2.

 

Dennis Stroughmatt will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday. Cost is $10 for adults 13 and older. Doors open at 5:30 with the concert beginning at 7.