(Ford County-jm) – Monday was the first day candidates could file their paperwork for the March 19th primary election and there will be some contested races in Ford County. Offices to be nominated in the primary ahead of the November 5 election are those of circuit clerk, coroner and state’s attorney, plus six county board seats in Ford County. According to our partners at the Ford County Chronicle, for county board district 1, Tom McQuinn and Debbie Smith will be joined by newcomers Kelsie Vaughn and Dominic Brackenhoff in a contested race for 2 seats. In District 2, Ann and Cindy Ihrke will be joined by newcomers Greg Niewold and Jody Waibel for 2 seats. In District 3, incumbent Sarah Mussman has filed for re-election, while the other incumbent, Chuck Aubry has not yet filed. Garrett Kerber has filed to run. State’s Attorney Andrew Killian filed paperwork however, Circuit Clerk Kammy Johnson Anderson and Coroner Brandon Roderick had not. Kasi Schwarz and Alicia Weber both filed for the circuit clerk position. 

 

(Undated-jm) – Illinois farmers are preparing for the Jan. 1 implementation of a California welfare law mandating larger space requirements for pigs, cows and chickens. The Farm Animal Confinement Initiative requires sows to have at least 24 square feet of space. According to the Illinois Pork Producers Association, the state’s pork industry contributes nearly $14 billion to the Illinois economy and is the fourth largest in the country.

 

(Washington-jm) – A USMCA dispute settlement panel offered their ruling in our nation's latest challenge to Canadian dairy policy and its impacts to U.S. dairy exports into that market. Rod Bain reports…

 

(Paxton–jc)  During the 4 day Holiday Sale in Paxton this weekend, a pop-up vendor  event is set for one downtown business on Saturday. It’s called the Miracle on Market Street. The 10am until 2-30 event takes place inside A Picket Fence Florist in downtown Paxton and has local vendors says organizer Leslie Ingold…

A Miracle on Market Pop Up Vendor Event Spokesperson Leslie Ingold.

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – Representative Mike Marron will be stepping down from his seat sooner than expected. Marron announced in July he was not seeking reelection but plans to finish his term. Now, he is leaving on December 18 of this year. Marron will lead Vermilion Advantage as its President and CEO. Vermilion Advantage is an economic and workforce development organization for the county. The Vermilion County Republican Party will appoint someone who will serve out the rest of his term.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The mapping sessions are over but the work on envisioning Paxton’s future still continues. Mapping sessions took place through the month of October into the first week of November focusing on four priority groups identified by community members: housing, infrastructure, business support and development and leisure. Members are now in action groups to address how they will reach the goals of each group. Mapping Program Manager Gisela Hamm says community involvement is still critical…

 

 

Mapping Program Manager Gisela Hamm.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man is recovering in the hospital after he was grazed by a bullet during a carjacking Sunday night. The shooting and vehicle theft happened just before 9 p.m. in the area of Edwin and Washington Streets. Investigators determined that the 42-year-old victim was in his car, parked in a driveway, when three male suspects approached the car. One fired a shot that grazed the man in the head. All three suspects then pulled the victim out of his car and drove off in it.

 

(Romeoville–jc)  Where you in Romeoville at the Thornton Gas Station recently. Illinois State Lottery officials say someone is 1 million dollars richer after purchasing a 1-Million dollar Cash Celebration ticket The announcement was made this morning. No one has come forth, yet, to claim the prize.The Illinois Lottery currently offers more that 50 different Instant Tickets at over 7 thousand retail locations across Illinois

 

(Hoopeston–jc)  A new feature for the Holiday season on WPXN morning news is Fantastic  Local Finds for Christmas.. One book from a local author is available at Boxcar Books and Vinyl in downtown Hoopeston. Former Hoopeston resident Dennis Noyse (noise) is the author of Yonders-Illinois…

 

Former Hoopeston resident and author Dennis Noyse

WPXN will feature gift shopping ideas and Fantastic Finds from the local area each weekday on morning news this holiday season

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – Monday was the first day candidates could file their paperwork for the March 19th primary election. Offices to be nominated in the primary ahead of the November 5 election are those of circuit clerk, coroner and state’s attorney, plus 8 county board seats in Iroquois County. Our partners at the Ford County Chronicle say Lisa Hines filed for another term as circuit clerk, while Bill Cheatum filed for another term as coroner, while newcomer Michael Quinlan filed for state’s attorney. Jed Whitlow for District 2 and Scott Watts of District 4, both incumbents, filed for their seats on the board. Current state’s attorney Jim Devine has not yet filed and neither has District 1 incumbents Chad McGinnis and Lyle Behrends, District 2’s John Shure, District 3’s Raymond Williams and Paul Bowers and District 4th’s John Zumwalt.

 

(Undated-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services announced construction is underway on two new shelter sites. Officials said the sites, a base camp in Brighton Park and a brick-and-mortar site in Little Village, will house up to 2,200 asylum seekers in total. Work to construct and operate the shelters is being funded by state taxpayers through Pritzker’s $160 million investment in the asylum seeker process as well as the $478 million in state funding that has been committed to the response over state fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

 

(Washington-jm) – The White House Monday held the inaugural meeting of its Council on Supply Chain Resilience with participants including the Agriculture Secretary. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A persuasive essay at Rantoul’s Northview Elementary School proved more than convincing as the proposal turned into a new playground for all kids to enjoy. The school now has wheelchair accessible equipment and sensory items for students with disabilities. The school takes special interests in meeting disabled students’ needs with four classes specifically supporting them. After third-graders proposed new inclusive equipment for their playground in a persuasive essay assignment, school leaders decided to turn the idea into a reality. Although the old playground was ADA certified, some students were having difficulty with flooring made of loose tire scraps that got in the way of being a truly inclusive playground. After the new equipment was proposed, it took about six to eight months of planning, and about three months to install.

 

(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers are pushing for more local control when it comes to making decisions on wind and solar farm development. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Champaign-jm) – To encourage residents and visitors to frequent Downtown Champaign businesses this holiday season, the City of Champaign is offering up to two hours of free parking in the Hill Street Parking Deck from December 1 through December 31, 2023. Hourly visitors parking longer than two hours will receive a two-hour discount off their parking fee. The City encourages visitors to support Champaign’s local businesses and restaurants.

 

(Watseka–jc)  The holiday time of the year is also a time when colds, flu and covid numbers rise. Iroquois County Public Health Department in Watseka  Official Eric Ceci (See-see) says you can get your vaccines in the same visit…

 

Iroquois County Public Health Department Official Eric Ceci

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a 4 day holiday sale starting with a Friday night three hour event. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis says the bag sale has a new twist with Santa Stamps and lots of prizes…

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis

The Home for the Holidays sale takes place throughout Paxton from December 1st through December 4th.