(Springfield-jm) – Illinois’ gun ban registry deadline is a month away and some in local law enforcement say investigating and prosecuting infractions will not be a top priority. The gun and magazine ban was enacted January 10, prohibiting the future sales of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities. A registry of the now banned firearms, attachments and .50 caliber ammunition opened October 1 with a January 1 deadline to register such items with Illinois State Police. Being out of compliance after January 1 could lead to Class A misdemeanor charges for the first offense and Class 3 felony charges for the second and subsequent offense. As of Wednesday, just 0.18% of Illinois’ 2.4 million Firearm Owner’s ID card holders have registered a banned item with Illinois State Police. 

 

(Morris–jc)  –Two people were found dead Wednesday following an RV fire at a truck stop in Morris. Authorities were called to the parking lot of Love’s Travel Center just off I-80 about 3 a.m. Firefighters arriving on the scene found a fully engulfed RV in the parking lot. The remains were found inside after the fire was extinguished. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Autopsies on the bodies are scheduled for Friday. 

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Republican legislators are responding to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's recent remarks claiming those wanting to close the U.S. border or send non-citizens to sanctuary states are "unclean spirits." Chicago has over 24,000 migrants sheltering in the city. New York City has more than 66,000, which is leading to discussions on what to do at the southern U.S. border and who is responsible for the influx to cities more than 1,000 miles away. Johnson on Tuesday criticized Republicans in regards to the border and suggested that the "right wing" was dishing out payback.

 

(Washington-jm) – Food price hikes this year are turning out to be smaller than was expected when the year began. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton firefighters were called to an alarm activation at Accolade on Fulton Wednesday evening. Upon arrival crews encountered smoke coming from the 2nd floor. It was discovered to be a furnace malfunction.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation is happy with the progress on their biggest project ever in Central Illinois: the I-57 and I-74 interchanges. IDOT engineers said they are replacing the outdated clover-shaped exits and “S”-shaped on-ramps. They said the flyovers will make travel between interstates safer and more efficient. IDOT has two exchanges closed between 57 North and 74 East, as well as, 57 South and 74 East. They expect those to be open by next fall, but they said work will stop in the meantime for winter weather. The whole project costs $280 million.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Paxton city leaders paid off some municipal bonds two years early and that move saved the city some dollars. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the move benefited the city…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

 

(The Center Square) – A national shortage of licensed truck drivers means fewer snow plows on the roads this winter. Maria Casteneda of the Illinois Department of Transportation said staffing levels for the winter response team have been down approximately 15 percent since the start of the pandemic. I-DOT has openings for both full and part-time snow plow drivers. I-DOT is committed to staying outside working until the roads are clear.  Motorists can do their part by staying home if they don’t need to be out driving. If you have to go out, be patient and give the plows plenty of room to work.

 

(Cissna Park–jc)  A free shopping event is set for The Barn, located north of Cissna Park, along Route 49 near the Cissna Park Coop-Kaufmann Elevator. Donations for the holidays from gifts to clothes and decor have been donated says Cissna Park United Methodist Church Pastor Ashley Clifton…

 

 

And its a free event…

 

 

Cissna Park United Methodist Church Pastor Ashley Clifton. The event is set for the Barn at Double K Ranch, location is along route 49 across the road from the Cissna Park Coop-Kaufmann Elevator. The event is set for 9am until 4pm on Saturday. 

 

(Paxton–jc)  A new feature for the Holiday season on WPXN morning news is Fantastic  Local Finds for Christmas..  What to get a teacher, neighbor, to a church friend. Ideas are found at A Picket Fence Florist says Owner Dawn Glad…

 

A Picket Fence Florist of Paxton Owner Dawn Glad

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

 

(Springfield-jm) – Banking officials are warning Illinoisans about a rise in check fraud cases.  In Illinois, check fraud has increased dramatically in recent years. Data shows that over 26,000 Illinois consumers and businesses fell victim to check fraud in 2022, a 104% increase from 2021. The Illinois Bankers Association said criminals target their victims with sophisticated schemes that can involve a legitimate payment request, a blank check stolen from a checkbook, a previously paid or canceled check found in the garbage, or a check placed in the mailbox to pay a bill. A report from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network found that banks reported roughly 680,000 incidents of check fraud last year, marking a significant increase from the 350,000 reports made in 2021. The U.S. Postal Service has also reported an unprecedented increase in mail theft and check fraud.

 

(Washington-jm) – What sort of food price inflation situation will shoppers see in 2024? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Undated-jm) – Gasoline across Central Illinois could be up to 40 cents cheaper on Thursday, depending on which station drivers stop at. Circle K announced that it is hosting another “Fuel Day Pop Up” in its Heartland division, which consists of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. All Circle K gas stations will sell gas for 40 cents off per gallon. Hot food will also be 50% off. The discounts will last from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – There is another vacancy on the Champaign County Board. Mike Ingram resigned from his seat representing the 6th District because he and his wife have purchased a house outside his district. Ingram will remain chair of the county’s Democratic Party.

 

(The Center Square) – The state of Illinois has spent nearly $1 billion on migrant care and services over the past 15 months to deal with more than 24,000 non-citizen arrivals. When legislators return in January, the taxpayer cost could increase. Chicago has set aside an additional $150 million to help shelter and care for the influx of noncitizen arrivals. The state recently announced it will be contributing another $160 million in taxpayer funds for services. Around 25 more buses arrived over the weekend, and the governor announced that lawmakers may vote on increased funding when they return.

 

 

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –   More than $3.7 million has been awarded for recreational trail development projects in 19 Illinois communities to help them meet the growing demand for improved trails and outdoor recreation facilities, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced today. The program provides up to 80% reimbursement to local grant recipients for the cost of trail projects, with local sponsors providing the balance of the funding.  Local projects include 200 thousand dollars to  the Champaign County Forest Preserve for renovation at the Lake of the Woods Bike Trail and 130 thousand dollars for bike trail renovation at Allerton Park bike trail.

 

(Paxton–jc) Get ready to get your shopping flier “Santa Stamped.” The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a four day shopping event in the city. Check out the merchants on the flier, stop by the merchants, get your flier stamped and you could be a prize winner, says Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis. The four day shopping event begins on Friday from 5pm to 8pm in Paxton.

 

(Undated–jc)  –The Rolling Stones are adding a second Chicago show to their 2024 Hackney Diamonds tour.According to the band’s Facebook page, due to overwhelming demand, the second show will take place June 30 at Soldier Field, three days after the first show.The tour, sponsored by AARP, will travel to 16 cities between April and July, kicking off in Houston Texas.