(Washington-jm) – With the January 1 deadline to register banned firearms approaching, Illinois has responded to a challenge of its gun and magazine ban in the U.S. Supreme Court. The Seventh Circuit U-S Court of Appeals denied a motion for preliminary injunction. That decision was met with an appeal to the U-S Supreme Court. Last week, Justice Amy Coney Barrett gave the state until last night to respond to a motion for an injunction pending review. In Wednesday’s filing arguing a motion for an emergency injunction pending review be denied, the state said that among other things the plaintiffs have not shown circumstances warranting such action. Separately, the challenge against Illinois’ gun ban that also raises conflict of interest concerns around the Illinois Supreme Court has advanced at the U.S. Supreme Court. Wednesday, Justice Amy Coney Barrett distributed Caulkins’ case to the full U.S. Supreme Court for possible consideration at their conference Jan. 5.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state of Illinois recorded its lowest index score for tax climate over the past ten years in the latest Tax Foundation State Business Tax Climate report. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski said he could have predicted Illinois’ record poor showing citing the state’s high tax rates especially for property taxes. Using a system that favors business-friendly states and those that seek to minimize the tax load residents and corporations pay, researchers found that Illinois now has its lowest index score for tax climate in the past 10 years, falling to No. 37 in the country overall after ranking as high as No. 25 as recently as 2017.

 

(Washington-jm) – We will have to wait another month to get updated USDA yield and acreage data for corn, soybeans and cotton. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign is aiming to become more bicycle-friendly with more lanes and paths, but is asking residents to vote for which ones they should work on building first. The city of Champaign is looking for input from residents to choose which proposed path or lane in the city’s four quadrants should be created first. City officials created an online survey open for the next two months to get feedback on the 16 bike improvement projects. To submit a survey, learn more about the prioritization process, view frequently-asked-questions, and explore the interactive web map, visit Engage Champaign’s website. The full list of the 16 bike paths and lanes described in detail also can be found on the city’s website. Champaign’s Plan Commission will discuss the Bicycle Implementation Plan as a part of the Transportation Master Plan in early 2024.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The future of the University of Illinois’ historic arena may be on thin ice. Maintenance at the U of I Ice Arena has been a slippery subject in the last few years. Now, administrators are trying to figure out what to do with the space. The Ice Arena on the U of I campus has been around since 1931. Ice Arena officials say keeping the old equipment running will require raising student fees, and administrators are trying to weigh the feasibility of keeping it open. Last year, the university let students vote on the ice rink’s fate to get an idea of what they wanted. The survey had four different options for the rink: keep it, install artificial turf, install multi-use courts, or “do nothing.” The majority voted for getting rid of the rink and putting in multi-use courts instead, but not everyone agrees with that outcome.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The city of Paxton has several mutual aid documents on the books for help with some neighboring towns and cities. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says now the city has a mutual aid agreement with the village of Gifford…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – Twenty-three candidates have filed petitions seeking fifteen seats that will be up for grabs next year on the Vermilion County Board. Monday was the deadline for candidates to file petitions with the County Clerk indicating their desire to run. Those who have filed include: in District One, Todd Johnson, a Republican, and Democrat Amy Buttram.  Johnson is an incumbent. In District Two, Steve Miller and Dan C. Wright filed.  Both are Republicans who currently serve on the County Board. In District Three, Republican Joe Eakle filed seeking another term. In District Four, there are four candidates running for two seats, Tim Mc Fadden, Gary Wright , Charles R. Sermersheim and Carl Lee Johnson. Johnson is a Democrat.  Mc Fadden, Wright, and Sermersheim are Republicans. In District Five, incumbent Crisi Walls and Robert ‘Jim’ Watson filed to run. In District Six, incumbents Mark A. Steinbaugh and Lon Henderson are seeking to retain their seats on the County Board.  They are both Republicans.  William Donahue, a Democrat, hopes to win one of their seats. In District Seven, County Board Vice-Chairman Craig Golden, a Democrat, is seeking re-election.  Also running in District 7 are Republicans Mark Janesky, Joe Leonard, and Timothy Morgan. In District Eight, two incumbents – Jerry Hawker and Phearn Butler – are hoping to retain their seats on the County Board.  Hawker is a Republican and Butler is a Democrat.  Also running in District Eight is challenger Bryan McDaniels. In District Nine, Becky Stark is seeking another term.  James ‘Mouse’ McMahon also filed seeking a seat on the County Board in District Nine. Marla Mackiewicz did not file for another term in District four.  And in Districts seven and nine – in addition to the regular terms – both have two-year unexpired terms to be filled.

 

(Paxton–jc)-- In our morning news  Fantastic  Local Finds for Christmas..We found a place to shop. It’s Paxton Hardware and Rental. Tools, grills and rentals, but did you know that Paxton Hardware and Rental has Doug and Melissa toys. Owner Scott Allen talks about these popular toys…

Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen

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

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois State Police have filed updated rules to properly implement the state's assault weapon registry. This comes less than a week before state police will appear before a top committee of lawmakers to see if they approve the amended language. Assault weapon owners in Illinois have until the end of this month to register their firearms and attachments with state police. Although, everything could change if the powerful Joint Committee on Administrative Rules rejects the new proposed rules during a hearing Tuesday morning in Chicago. The proposed rules state anyone submitting an affidavit for their assault weapon or .50 caliber rifle manufactured with removable attachments is only required to submit information for the firearms. Bolt and lever action rifles or pump action shotguns are not subject to the state's registry. However, gun owners will need to register the attachments if they remove the items from those firearms to alter other guns.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A program designed to award tax breaks in an effort to drive investment in low-income communities is not catching on in Illinois as it is elsewhere.  Opportunity zones were established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The zones work by helping investors reduce the capital gains taxes they owe on previous investments by investing those gains in OZ communities for at least seven years. If investors keep their investment in OZs for ten years, they can eliminate their tax bill entirely. Illinois has 327 designated opportunity zones located all around the state, the sixth highest number in the country, but Illinois is trailing most of the country in OZ investment. Experts say part of the problem is the number of people leaving the state.

 

(Washington-jm) – Farm Service Agency Direct Loan customers now have the ability to apply for financing and check on their loans online. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Undated-jm) – There will not be two Republican names on the March 19th primary ballot for the retiring Mike Marron’s 104th District Illinois House seat.  At first, two candidates had expressed interest.  One was Brandun Schweizer, a retired U.S.M.C. Master Sergeant and current City of Danville Code Enforcement Inspector.  The second was Marguerite Bailey, current Legislative Assistant to State Rep Marron and Former Village of Potomac Trustee. But Bailey announced she is stepping aside from her candidacy for party unity.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The goal for the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is to keep the momentum going in the city. Recent building investments, new small businesses and the streetscape program have sparked economic development in Paxton. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis says the positive momentum is present in Paxton…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis

 

(Decatur-jm) – After a seven-year court case, the State of Illinois will settle a case in which a police vehicle crashed into a Decatur woman’s car and killed her. The young daughters of Kelly Wilson will split nearly $2.6 million after their lawyers originally asked for $10 million. In 2016, Illinois State Trooper Jeffrey Denning was speeding to a possible crime scene in Champaign County when he slammed into Wilson’s car. In 2021, Denning pleaded guilty to reckless conduct.

 

(Buckley–jc)  One local Christian School is hosting a supper, bake sale and concert tonight. Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley is hosting an event called…:The Wonder of It All” starting at 5pm with a soup supper and a concert at 6-30 says Buckley Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz…

 

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz. The supper and bake sale are free will donation events

 

(Champaign-jm) – In order to complete pavement patching, ATT and Custom Underground will close one lane of Prospect Avenue between Springfield Avenue and Healey Street.  The closure will begin today, and will reopen tomorrow. Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in the area.