(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity are encouraging additional income-eligible families to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to support with utility bill assistance for natural gas, propane, and electricity. Applications expanded November 1, to include income-eligible households that are disconnected or facing imminent disconnection. Families who earn up to 200% the federal poverty level, have a household with a senior, a child or children under 6, and/or a person with a disability, along with households that provide proper documentation of disconnection or imminent disconnection from a utility are now eligible to receive support through LIHEAP.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, and Illinoisans will once again have an additional month to enroll in a health plan through January 15, 2024. The Illinois Department of Insurance also released health insurance rates for the 2024 Plan Year, announcing that there are now twelve issuers offering ACA Marketplace health plans in Illinois. Consumers must enroll by December 15th to have health insurance coverage start on January 1st. Otherwise, coverage will begin at a later date. After the January 15th, 2024 deadline for Open Enrollment, consumers can only purchase insurance coverage on the ACA Marketplace if they have a qualifying life event, including losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a child, adopting a child, or moving.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The final mapping session for the City of Paxton, put on by Western Illinois University’s Institute for Rural Affairs is set for tonight. After four weeks, community members have chosen what their four high priority goals are: housing, business support and development, infrastructure and parks and recreation and festivals and events. Mapping Program Manager Gisela Hamm talks about the importance of tonight’s session…

 

 

Mapping Program Manager Gisela Hamm. Again tonight’s session is from 5:30-8:30 in the PBL Junior High Commons area.

 

(Watseka-jm) – A children’s sensory place is coming to the Iroquois County community of Watseka in 2024. It would provide a place where the children can climb, spin and play. The place would be for children “ages preschool and under or maybe even five or six and under but also children with disabilities just in general. The Children’s Sensory Play Place is scheduled to begin in January at Trinity Church and will be from 9-11 a.m. on Saturdays.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  It’s November and that means it's time to get ready to participate in the Community Service Center of Rantoul’s “holiday bureau.”   The event is set up to help buy toys for kids at Christmas and also help with food purchases for families in need. Community Service Center Director Cindy Crawford says the Holiday Bureau through donations, helps families…

 

 

Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford. Those wanting to donate new toys or money can contact the center in Rantoul at 217-893-1530. The Holiday Bureau takes place in December.

 

(Mahomet-jm) – Mahomet’s downtown could get a major overhaul. The work would take place on Main Street and would take the straight road to make it curved. Currently, there are 24 parallel parking spots available. With the road reconstruction, the new plan would make 22 angled spots with 2 ADA-compliant parking spots. Bricks will also be laid mid-block to signal a pedestrian crossing area.  This part of the first phase of the plan will allow the Village to close down this section of Main Street for events or festivals. Designs included trees, bike racks and benches along the street front.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson Area Hospital Foundation will once again be holding their fashion show. Spokesperson Bill Kirby talks about this fall’s event…

 

 

Gibson Area Hospital Foundation Spokesperson Bill Kirby.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim announced the opening of the next round of funding for the Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebate Program. Applications are being accepted starting November 1.  The program offers a $4,000 rebate for purchase of an electric passenger vehicle or $1,500 rebate for purchase of an electric motorcycle.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department on Aging is raising awareness of resources available to unpaid family caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month, a nationwide observance led by the Caregiver Action Network and celebrated every November. Family caregiving is very common; according to AARP, in 2020, one in five Americans were caregivers. Many caregivers live with or near the person for whom they provide care, while others may be long-distance caregivers residing in another city or state. A variety of resources are available to family caregivers through Illinois Department on Aging, Illinois’ 13 regional Area Agencies on Aging, and numerous partner organizations.

 

(Woodworth-jm) – The annual Ford-Iroquois 4-H Foundation auction is coming up. The auction will take place Sunday, November 12th at St. Paul’s School in Woodworth begins at 1:30 pm. The foundation started the auction after the state required a $20 fee to be a part of 4-H. Foundation President Nita Dubble says they not only use the money raised to pay the fee but also use it for scholarships…

 

 

Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Dubble.

 

(Wellington-jm) – The Iroquois County Public Health Department is reporting a boil water order for the village of Wellington. The boil water order is in effect until further notice.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Senate Republicans held a press conference today to hi-lite the Pritzker Administration’s management failures while the Governor is distracted by national issues. State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet…

 

 

State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet. Senator Rose focused on the problems at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Children and Family Services.

 

The Gibson Area Music Foundation is inviting vocalists interested in participating in the choir for its presentation of “Celebrate the Season”  formerly the Messiah to attend at least 3 of the six scheduled rehearsals to perform this holiday tradition which started in 1944. Practices are on Mondays at 7pm and began Oct. 30th at the First Presbyterian Church fellowship Hall in Gibson City. A dress rehearsal will take place on Saturday December 2nd. “Celebrate the Seasons" will be presented on Sunday December 3rd at the Gibson City Bible Church.

 

(Paxton-dm)  Cold weather is here and it’s time to think about your furnace. Scott Allen from Paxton Hardware and Rental talks about simple maintenance you can do yourself.

 

 

Scott Allen from Paxton Hardware and Rental.  You can hear more tips on WPXN Saturday Morning on Scotts Tips for Success

 

WPXN News Notes…

Jeremiah 33:6 will host a free produce pantry on Friday from 3:30-5:30 at the Roberts Gym.

 

The Elliott AmVets will hold their first Friday of the month Family Dinner night Friday night. 

 

The Loda American Legion will hold their fish fry on Friday from 4-6:30. Cost is $10 for adults 13 and older, kids 12 and under $5.