(Rantoul–jc) An early morning crash has closed a portion of Interstate 57 in the WPXN listening area. State Police say the accident happened around 1-30 this morning in the north bound lanes between Paxton and Rantoul. Traffic is being rerouted from Rantoul at the Interstate 57 exchange to route 45 and north to Paxton and then back on the Interstate. Emergency crews are on the scene of the crash at this hour and WPXN news will update this story as more official information becomes available.
(Springfield-jm) – The state’s public health agency is asking more healthcare facilities to increase their mitigation efforts to respiratory viruses. Illinois Department of Public Health officials are asking places like hospitals and long-term care facilities to ramp up precautions on Thursday after noting half of Illinois’ counties are at a medium or high level for COVID-19 hospitalizations. Health officials also report RSV cases are causing a heavy burden for pediatric hospitalizations across the state. The guidance asks hospitals and long-term care facilities to implement masking requirements if they are located in counties which are rated to have high levels of hospitalizations. Hospitals are also asked to screen staff and visitors for symptoms, remind patients of hand washing and coughing etiquette, and potentially defer people experiencing respiratory virus for non-urgent visits or change them to telehealth services.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Commerce Commission has reduced the expected electric rate hikes for utility giants Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois.
Capitol News Illinois reports while the rates will still go up, the ICC also rejected plans from the companies which included spending proposals and efforts to meet state climate goals. Governor JB Pritzker says the utilities should work with the state to meet the goals, but also must protect consumers…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Consumer and environmental advocates praised the decision as being an overdue step towards tighter utility oversight. Last month, the agency made a similar move to slash the rate hikes proposed by four gas utilities.
In a rare move, commission member and former AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan dissented in the decision. He says the board could have modified the requests to comply with state law.
(Champaign-jm) – Illinois State Police responded to a two-car crash on I-74 Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred at 2:40 p.m. just west of Prospect Avenue. ISP officials said traffic was rerouted onto Prospect Avenue. There’s no word on if there were any injuries.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker is encouraging Illinoisans to adopt shelter animals. The Governor says the best place to adopt a furry loved one is through a local animal shelter…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.
(Champaign-jm) – Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation were joined by local officials and community leaders to celebrate the latest milestones on the $251.8 million replacement of the Interstate 57/74 interchange, a signature project of the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. As it moves into its next phase, the overall project will positively impact safety and mobility while positioning the region for long-term economic growth. The new interchange will have two flyover ramps from eastbound I-74 to northbound I-57 and westbound I-74 to southbound I-57. Construction will also add an auxiliary lane on I-74 for both directions between Prospect Avenue and Duncan Road. State officials estimate the project will be substantially completed in late 2025, with some work anticipated needing to be done in 2026.
(Rantoul–jc) – The campground in the village of Rantoul has a new owner. The village officially sold the property at their recent meeting. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the new owners have a good vision for the campground…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office along with the U-S Marshals Great Lakes Task Force has made some arrests. Deitrick Baines of rural Martinton was arrested on an outstanding warrant for aggravated fleeing and eluding. Candace Searcy of Cissna Park was arrested on warrants out of Vermilion and Douglas Counties in Illinois and Benton County in Indiana for possession of cocaine and possession of meth. Kyle Frazier of Hoopeston was arrested on an outstanding warrant for criminal damage to property.
(Washington-jm) – Will beef cattle prices continue to rise next year? Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton–jc)-- In our morning news Fantastic Local Finds for Christmas..Here is an idea…a stop to Strickly Kids Resale in Gibson City. Strictly Kids Resale Shop Owner Jeanine Litwiller says they are ready for everything from Christmas Program clothes to toys and games..
Strictly Kids Resale Shop of Gibson City Owner Jeanine Litwiller
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) – With December now nearly half over, many parts of Illinois are still awaiting the first snowfall of the season. Because there hasn’t been any snow so far, most highway departments are fully prepared for whenever winter weather hits the Land of Lincoln. Although we haven't had any snow yet this season, officials say the salt supply and plows will be ready to hit the road when they are finally needed. The Illinois Department of Transportation is already gearing up for potential snow. IDOT said the salt domes are at capacity this year with more than 558,000 tons on hand.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he still believes the assault weapons ban that he signed into law at the beginning of this year is constitutional.
Pritzker spoke to reporters Thursday in Springfield after a federal appeals court said it would not reconsider its decision upholding the ban…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Capitol News Illinois reports the U-S Supreme Court issued two orders this week turning down requests to block enforcement of the law while it is being challenged in lower courts. But a national gun rights group says it's now ready to take its appeal to the full Supreme Court.
(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Humane Society is dropping their adoption prices for the holidays. The promotion lasts until December 20. Cats are $25, dogs are $50 and small and exotic animals are $3.
(Rantoul–jc) – The Meijer Corporation is helping one Champaign County non-profit. Meijer has a matching fund donation program at Meijer that allows customers to donate 10 dollars to the Community Service Center and Meijer will match the donation. CommunityService Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says on the 16th, it’s a double donation day by Meijer…
Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford.
(Iroquois County-jm) – One person was killed and three others taken to the hospital after an accident Wednesday morning near L’Erable. According to Illinois State Police reports, the accident happened on U.S. Route 52 at 1500 East. Preliminary investigation indicates that an SUV was being driven northbound on 1500 E Road approaching the stop intersection at US 52. The driver of the SUV failed to stop at the stop intersection and proceeded through. At that time, a truck tractor semi-trailer was being driven westbound on U.S. 52. The semi struck the passenger side of the SUV in the middle of the intersection. The SUV overturned and the front seat passenger of the SUV was ejected and pronounced deceased on scene.
(Gibson City–jc) – The Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary “Love Lights a Tree” campaign continues through January First of 20-24. Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary Co-Vice Chairperson Connie Ruem (reem) says brochures are available at area businesses or you can contact the hospital…
Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary Co-Vice Chairperson Connie Ruem.
(Onarga-jm) – This coming Saturday, Dec 16th, wreaths will be placed on veteran's graves as part of a wonderful program, "Wreaths Across America". The ceremony will begin at 11 am at the Cemetery Chapel at Onarga Twp Cemetery. If you would like to lay a wreath on a specific grave, they ask you to please come early at 10:30 am. In Buckley, the American Legion Post is meeting around 10am and will go to Woodland Cemetery just east of Town. In Cissna Park the American Legion is also set to meet and go to several local cemeteries. Several groups, including volunteers from the Champaign-Urbana Elks will be helping lay wreaths at the Danville National Cemetery on Saturday.
(Washington-jm) – Larger supplies of an agricultural commodity usually push prices for that commodity down, but for one livestock sector, that may not be true for 2024. Gary Crawford reports…
(Onarga–jc) The second annual Christmas Tree lane concludes this weekend in the village of Onarga. The event is sponsored by several American Legion groups and opens for viewing at 4-30 this afternoon during the Onarga American Legion Fish Fry. The final times for the event are Saturday morning from 7-30am to 11am with the Pancakes and Sausage breakfast says Onarga American Legion Auxiliary Spokesperson Deb Talbert…
Onarga American Legion Auxiliary Spokesperson Deb Talbert
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Villas of Holly Brook in Rantoul will hold a holiday gift wrapping fundraiser for the Carter Education and Community Foundation today from 3-7 pm.
Onarga American Legion Post 551 will hold a fish fry and christmas tree lane this evening from 4:30-7 pm at the legion hall at Durham Park.
The PBL Chamber Singers present cocoa and carols tonight from 6-7:30 in the PBL Junior High commons. Activities include, sugar cookie decorating, hot cocoa, face painting, pictures with Santa and Christmas carols by the PBL Chamber Singers. Cost is a free will donation.
The Onarga Sons of the American Legion will hold pancakes with Santa on Saturday from 7:30-11 am at the Legion Hall at Durham Park.
The Roberts Melvin Fire Department will hold their Krispy Kreme Donut fundraiser on Saturday from 9-noon at the Roberts Gym. Cost is $14 per dozen.
The 2023 Santa Rally will take place on Saturday starting in Paxton at 10 am then going to Elliott at 10:30, Sibley at 11:25, Melvin at noon, Roberts at 12:25, Piper City at 1, Kempton at 2, Stelle at 2:35 and Cabery at 3.
The Wild Hare Bar and Grill in Fisher will host an Ugly Sweater Party on Saturday starting at 8pm.
The Iroquois County Cantata is set for Sunday at 2 and 4 pm at the First Christian Church in Watseka.
