(Springfield-jm) – When asked if the state would consider a supplemental appropriation to cover costs for migrants, Governor J.B. Pritzker says the Illinois government will continue to use taxpayer-funded programs already budgeted. Chicago has seen at least 15,000 non-citizen arrivals sent to Chicago after crossing the U.S. southern border. The city and state have already spent hundreds of millions of dollars to care for the newly arrived migrants. Pritzker was asked last week how the state plans to keep funding available for the arrivals. Pritzker said while the state budget is balanced, they do not have any extra funds and have been forced to divert taxpayer funds from other programs like the rental assistance program. Republicans criticized the Governor saying that money should be used for legal residents and not migrants.

 

(Danville-jm) – Dozens of people gathered at Danville Area Community College Wednesday to honor the legacy of the late State Senator Scott Bennett. One of those honoring the late senator's memory is 53rd District State Senator and uncle to the late senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. The group honored the late Senator’s memory with a tree planting and were joined by Governor J-B Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A University of Illinois student is facing child porn distribution charges. Rogelio Renteria is charged with 2 counts of child pornography after the Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted university police that six pornographic videos of kids were being shared from his IP address. If convicted he faces a mandatory prison term of 6 to 30 years.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Fall archery turkey season is underway. The top 5 counties last year for fall archery hunting harvest were Vermilion, Ogle, Clay, Marion and Randolph. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Jayette Billinski says firearm season is coming up soon…

 

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Jayette Billinski.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man was sentenced to 8 years in prison for possessing a gun when he shouldn’t. Richard Frasier received the sentence in Champaign County court after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

 

(Washington-jm) – What are the export sales prospects for the U.S. crops now being harvested? A new report may give us a better idea about that. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Rantoul—jc)  –  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Community Service Center in Rantoul. The non-profit works with a large number of agencies and helps with programs and services to Champaign County. Executive Director Cindy Crawford says they are one of only a small number of agencies that have a full time food pantry for county residents…

 

 

Executive Director Cindy Crawford says  they work with the high school on a food program and also a delivery program for those with food deficiencies…

 

 

Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new survey shows small businesses in Illinois and around the country continue to struggle to pay their rent. The small business network Alignable reports that 40% of small businesses nationwide couldn’t pay their rent in September, the highest amount this year. Researcher Chuck Casto said the number of Illinois small businesses with rent troubles decreased slightly, but is still among the worst in the country, down six percentage points, however, 46% of Illinois small businesses were unable to pay their rent in full and on time is still very problematic. The top three industries struggling to pay their rent in September were retail, lodging and travel, and restaurants. In a separate Alignable survey, 38% of small business owners said that interest rates would need to drop at least three points before they would start to feel an economic rebound. Nationwide, 53% of small business owners said they are making half or less of what they earned before the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The first mapping session for the city of Paxton through the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University was held last week Tuesday. The next session is this Thursday from 5:30-8:30 in the PBL Junior High Commons. Paxton Buckley Loda Schools Superintendent Travis Duley was at the first session and discusses how the district will benefit from the mapping initiative…

 

 

PBL Schools Superintendent Travis Duley. Again the next session is this Thursday from 5:30-8:30 in the PBL Junior High Commons. Other upcoming sessions are October 17th, 24th and November 2nd. The public is invited to share their input.

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire at 2713 Hundman Drive Saturday afternoon.  Fire crews worked to extinguish this fire that originated in a unit in the commercial structure. Firefighters responded to the report of a passerby of heavy smoke and flames coming from a unit in this building.  Once on the scene, fire crews confirmed heavy smoke and fire was coming from the structure.  Firefighters deployed multiple hose lines and contained the fire to two units.  Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire.  Champaign Public Works Department aided with heavy equipment to remove debris from the involved units.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is restarting a rebate program to buy electric vehicles. 53rd District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Fairbury-jm) – Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 5 officials arrested 23-year-old Carter Meister of Forrest, IL, a Fairbury police officer,  for four counts of Criminal Sexual Assault. On October 2, 2023, ISP was notified of an allegation of Criminal Sexual Assault against Meister. ISP agents gathered evidence regarding the allegations and on October 5, 2023 an arrest warrant for Meister was issued and he was subsequently taken into custody for the above charges.  He was transported to the Livingston County Jail where he is awaiting a judge to set pretrial conditions.

 

(Washington-jm) – Markets are anxiously awaiting release of USDA's next crop production report. Gary Crawford reports…