(Springfield-jm) – While Illinois’ gun ban and registry continues to face legal challenges, the governor continues pushing for a national ban on certain semi-automatic weapons. Reacting to the mass shooting reported out of Maine, where a suspect killed 18 people and injured scores of others in different locations, Governor J.B. Pritzker said Illinois is doing what it can do by banning certain types of semi-automatic firearms. But Illinois’ ban is being challenged on several fronts with cases still pending. One plaintiffs' group is asking a federal judge to enjoin the state’s gun registry while a challenge to the entire Illinois law is pending in the appeals court. The state has until November 6 to reply to that motion in the Southern District of Illinois federal court brought by the Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois housing market is pretty scary right now. With rising home prices and interest rates, many Illinois homeowners are staying put, keeping housing inventories low around the state. According to Illinois Realtors, there are nearly 30% fewer homes on the market in Illinois than this time last year. Doug Ressler, manager with the real estate website Point2Homes.com, said the inventory problem is not confined to Illinois. As a result of the contributing factors, home sales are lagging in the Land of Lincoln. In September 2023, a total of 11,483 homes sold was 17.4% lower than 13,900 sold in September 2022. That includes single-family homes and condominiums. Ressler said he expects the issues affecting the Illinois housing market to stay in place potentially into 2025.

 

(Washington-jm) – Corn and soybean growers picked up the pace of harvesting last week. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Springfield-jm) – A Springfield EMS worker charged with first degree murder will be released from jail. A judge ruled in favor of releasing Peter Cadigan from pretrial detention after a hearing Monday. Cadigan has been charged with first-degree murder for the death of Earl Moore Jr. Earl Moore Jr. died in December 2022 after Cadigan and his co-worker Peggy Finley took him to the hospital in their ambulance. Body camera footage shows the workers put Moore Jr. face down in the gurney. Finley was released from jail on money bond in June.

 

(Rantoul–jc)--  Shopping in your community or neighboring town and village are keys to keeping area downtowns and local businesses in operation. It’s also key for local roads, schools and more says Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith…

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is announcing the establishment of the COVID-19 Recovery: Urbana Small Business Microloan Fund. This was done with the support of Justine Petersen, the City of Urbana, and Woodforest National Bank. The loan fund aims to help disadvantaged entrepreneurs and small businesses in Urbana access affordable financial services. The City of Urbana committed $250,000 of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to establish the microloan fund. Justine Petersen worked locally with Woodforest National Bank to leverage the dollars provided by the city. A total of $2,000,000 is available in the fund, which will continue to revolve. The loan fund aims to assist new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs in Urbana, focusing on those who do not qualify for traditional lending. Eligible businesses located in Urbana can access small business loans up to $50,000.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is A Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton. Owner Dawn Glad says when describing the store, you start with flowers and fresh floral arrangements…

Fresh flowers, floral arrangements, inspirational signs, to soup mixes  and holiday gifts are found in the store. Now is the time to order  grave blankets and clusters, says Owner Dawn Glad …

A Picket Fence Florist of Paxton Owner Dawn Glad

The store is gearing up for Christmas, and has a fall items sale going on now. The number for deliveries is 217-379-4245.  A Picket Fence Florist of Paxton, the WPXN Business of the Day, today.

 

(Springfield-jm) – As Illinois Republicans look to avoid any tax increases during veto session, a measure that could lead to local tax increases to fund mental health boards has passed the Senate.  Township mental health boards in Illinois levy property taxes to fund local organizations and community mental health initiatives. The boards focus on mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities and issue contracts to local agencies to provide services for its residents. Senate Bill 690 from state Senator Ann Gillespie, of Arlington Heights, would allow townships to ask local voters for increased taxes to fund these boards in certain townships. The measure passed along party lines. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Nurses Association has announced a contract agreement with the state of Illinois. The four-year contract was rati?ed on October 26 with a 97% vote. The contract includes pay increases totaling nearly 23% over the four-year term, and there will be $2,200 in bonuses throughout the life of the contract. INA members are now eligible for 12 weeks of parental leave for both birthing and non-birthing parents.

 

(Washington-jm) – Soybean planting in parts of Brazil is falling behind schedule. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department is looking for a suspect in a shooting that left a teenager hospitalized over the weekend. According to police, a 17-year-old from Rantoul was shot in the jaw and wrist Friday night near the intersection of Florida Avenue and Curtiss Drive. Officials said the teenagers’ injuries are non-life threatening. Bullets also hit a nearby car and house. Police found 11 rifle casings near the scene.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The fourth mapping session for the city of Paxton took place last week with the final session this Thursday. The sessions are put on by Western Illinois University’s Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and brings community members together to map their vision for the future of Paxton over the next 10-30 years. Last week, members chose what action group they wanted to be a part of based off the four priority goals identified: housing, business support and development, infrastructure and parks and recreation and festivals and events. Mapping Manager Gisela Hamm explains what the action groups are and their responsibility in the process…

 

 

Mapping Manager Gisela Hamm. Again the final session is this Thursday when representatives from state and regional agencies will be present to meet with the groups to discuss implementing those priority goals. It will take place from 5:30-8:30 in the PBL Junior High Commons area. The public is still invited to attend.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Police in Champaign are looking for three people after they said the three stole a credit card from a Campustown property and then used it. Officials said the burglary happened on October 21 in the area of Fourth and Healey Streets. At some point between 1:30 and 6:30 a.m., someone entered the victim’s home and took a wallet from the living room. A credit card inside that wallet was later used at a business the same morning. One is described as being a Black woman between 40 and 50 years old, with an average build and short- to medium-length blonde hair with black roots. The other two suspects are described as Black men around 50 years old with gray beards.