(Springfield-jm) – Illinois was tied for third-worst rate of population decline compared to last year in new annual population estimates. Between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2023, Illinois lost 364,443 people, the third worst loss behind New York and California. New U.S. Census Bureau annual estimates released Tuesday show Illinois had an estimated 12,582,515 people in 2023, or 32,826 fewer than the year before on net. For domestic migration, Illinois lost 83,839 people to other states in the past year, but with inbound migration, births and deaths, the state’s net loss was 32,826.

 

(Bloomington–jc)  –  The football district proposal fails among I-H-S-A schools on Tuesday. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…

 

(Springfield-jm) – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan asked a judge Tuesday to delay his corruption trial. Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain asked U.S. District Court Judge John Robert Blakey to stay proceedings in the case or reschedule the trial date to the fall of 2024, after the Supreme Court decides another case involving the federal bribery statute. The Madigan case is set for trial in April 2024. The Supreme Court is expected to decide Snyder v. United States by June 2024.

 

(Washington-jm) – Agriculture Secretary Vilsack says poultry companies don't need more time to implement new USDA rules on contract transparency. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for an enforcement effort for the remainder of the year to reduce the number of deadly accidents. Sheriff Dustin Heuerman says deputies will be looking primarily for unbuckled seatbelts and DUI. But they will also be looking for reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, texting while driving and disobeying traffic control devices like stop signs and lights.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  The village of Rantoul continues to meet all bond obligations and did the paperwork needed at this month's meeting. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the good news for those in the village is that taxes are remaining the same…

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

 

(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department has announced an arrest in connection to a deadly shooting that happened almost two weeks ago. Department officials said that after speaking with witnesses and locating evidence, they identified Turhan Sims, as a suspect in the shooting of Kadeem Moore. Moore, a 34-year-old man from Champaign, was shot multiple times in the 2000 block of Vawter Street the night of December 8. Champaign Police officers and U.S. Marshals found and arrested Sims at Bloomington Road and Bradley Avenue.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The City of Paxton has announced Christmas tree pickup dates. The city will pick up Christmas trees starting on January 2nd. They ask you to place undecorated trees by the curb.

 

(Paxton–jc)-- In our morning news  Fantastic  Local Finds for Christmas..Here is an idea… Mom and Pops Kettle Korn Stop in downtown Paxton. Ofcourse, they have all kinds of kettle korn and popcorn varieties. Store owner Alan Meyer says they also have the original candy case from the Paxton Index store and it is full of bulk candy and more…

Mom and Pop’s Kettle Korn Stop Store Owner Alan Meyer

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) – Nearly six months into the fiscal year, Governor J.B. Pritzker's office says there is approximately $1 billion in budget pressures that will offset revenue gains. In a recent Economic and Fiscal Policy report, the governor's office said the pressures include potential spending related to asylum seekers. Illinois has spent more than half a billion dollars to help care for the migrant arrivals since last August. The funds have gone towards shelter and health care services. As a result, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget projects that the state is looking at $1 billion in budget pressures that will offset any revenues collected. The report also indicated the revised fiscal 2024 surplus is projected to total $422 million. The fiscal year ends June 30, 2024.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The minimum wage in Illinois will increase on January 1st. Workers will see an increase of $1 per hour from $13 to $14. The minimum wage for tipped workers will rise to $8.40 per hour and youth workers, under 18, working fewer than 650 hours per calendar year will see their hourly wage increase to $12 per hour.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey explains how mild weather throughout December is affecting both winter wheat crops and Western mountain snowpacks. Rod Bain reports…

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Democrats are set to fill a vacancy on the county board today. Democrats will choose between Charles Young, Carolyn Greer and Azark Cobbs to fill the vacancy of Mike Ingram who stepped down last month. The person chosen will be sworn in at Thursday night’s county board meeting.

(Gibson City–jc)  –  The Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts continue this month with the “Love Lights A Tree” campaign. Last year the group raised over 23 thousand dollars for projects at the local hospital. Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary Co First Vice President Connie Ruem (ream) says some money goes to the new medical office building and they also have recently purchased a new microscope…

Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary Co First Vice President Connie Ruem. Currently, donations are just shy of 22 thousand dollars. The fundraising continues through New Year’s Day. Those wanting to donate are asked to go on line or call the hospital in Gibson City. 

 

(Hoopeston-jm) – The City of Hoopeston is hoping to open new doors for future development.  A demolition project will clear the way for space to attract new businesses. Nine old buildings, most in the 200-block of East Main Street, will be the start of a demolition process beginning December 27th. The intent is to offer businesses a fresh start, creating their own business setting, rather than putting a lot of money into rehabbing old buildings. The hope is to ignite a spark for downtown. 

Last month, the Vermilion County Board awarded Hoopeston $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money for road improvements to help in bringing a hotel project to the city.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Rantoul police are urging people to be more alert of their surroundings after 6 shootings in 5 days. Four of the shootings took place in the Falcon and Juniper Drive areas while the others took place near Marcia and Gates Drives and Lowry and Harper Drives. All of the shootings remain under investigation.

 

 

(Springfield–jc)  –   Illinois Lottery players have a chance to become a multi-millionaire this holiday as the Powerball jackpot jumps to $572 million for tonight’s drawing. This is the fourth Powerball jackpot to surpass the half a billion dollar mark in 2023. No one has hit the jackpot since October 11,  when a lucky ticket holder in Frazier Park, California claimed the second-biggest jackpot in lottery history - a mouth-watering $1.765 billion.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas After Hours sponsored by the Bank of Rantoul will be held tonight at 5:30 pm at the Knights of Columbus.

 

The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday from 5-7 pm. Cost is $11 for adults, kids 6-13 $6. Meal includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Deliveries are available in town by calling 217-202-6441.

 

The Iroquois County Cantata is set for Friday at 8 pm at the First Christian Church in Watseka.