(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Police Department responded to a shooting on Tuesday afternoon. At 2:30 p.m. the Rantoul Police Department received notification from the Raven Gun Shot Detection System of possible gunfire near the intersection of Willow Pond Road and Par Drive. Officials responded to the 800 block of St. Andrews Circle, they located three separate residences that had been struck by gunfire. Officers were able to locate and collect shell casings from the area of this incident. There have been no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

 

(Springfield-jm) – With Illinois lawmakers scheduled to return to legislative session in less than a month, a recent government fiscal forecast provides an overview of the budgeting landscape that awaits them.  The bottom line from the five-year forecast from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget: The current fiscal year is now projected to end with a $1.4 billion surplus, while the upcoming fiscal year 2025 is projected to face an $891 million deficit.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Small business advocates are discussing the impact new Illinois laws going into effect Jan. 1 could have on employers. Several laws will go into effect in 2024, including Senate Bill 2034, which extends bereavement time for workers when dealing with the loss of a child. Other measures include the previous General Assembly's Senate Bill 208, which mandates paid time off to be used for any reason. Other laws going into effect in 2024 include a fair wage act in Chicago and Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act which allows workers to take time off to give blood.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has a program to help those interested in learning about hunting. Dan Stevens with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has the details…

Dan Stevens with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The workshop is free to attend.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Champaign County Coroner, Stephen E. Thuney, is releasing the

names of the motorists involved in a motor vehicle crash that occurred near mile marker 252 on I-57, just north of Rantoul on Christmas Day. Tyler S. Flynn, 34, of Dewey, Illinois was driving a vehicle traveling westbound on County Road 3200 when he left the roadway and collided with a semi traveling northbound on I-57

being driven by Muharem Ugarak, 48, of St. Louis, Missouri. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The deaths are being investigated by the Champaign Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.

 

(Springfield-jm) – As Illinois and the rest of the country continue to deal with an opioid and fentanyl crisis, several new state laws are set to go on the books on Jan.1 to address the problems. One new Illinois law will allow pharmacists and other health care professionals to distribute fentanyl testing strips in an effort to reduce opioid overdoses. Another law requires schools to keep opioid overdose reversal agents on campus, and another requires fentanyl education in schools. A measure that requires for-profit music venues that have an occupancy of 1,000 or more to have opioid overdose antidotes and trained staff on hand goes into effect in June 2024. Winnebago County had the highest rates of opioid and other drug overdose deaths in Illinois last year. According to data analyzed by the San Francisco Chronicle, the drug overdose death rate was 53.2 per 100,000 people in Winnebago County in 2022. Vermillion (52.5), Kankakee (44.3), Cook (43.8) and Peoria (43.2) counties round out the top five.

 

(Washington-jm) – Other than a storm system in the nation’s mid-section, early Christmas week weather has been unusually mild and tranquil. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Undated–jc)  With the New Year starting on Monday, WPXN news asked area civic leaders and businesspeople to  take a “crystal ball–look ahead to 20-24.

A “look ahead” into 20-24 from Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis…

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis

 

A “look ahead” into 20-24 from Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford……

Rantoul based Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford

Today through Monday,  WPXN news will feature area leaders in a “Crystal Ball–look ahead to 20-24.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Beginning January 1st, residents will see expanded protections from utility disconnections on days of extreme heat, thanks to a new law. The Public Utilities Act — which prohibits utility shutoffs on days where the temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit — will now include extreme heat events, factoring in humidity and the heat index. On days when the forecasted temperature is 90 degrees or above, or when the National Weather Service issues a heat watch, advisory or warning, residents’ utilities cannot be shut off, even if they are behind on paying their bills.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is set to have several new laws go on the books starting in 2024, with several of those affecting prisoners throughout the state. One of the measures taking effect in 2024 is Senate Bill 423, which supports the reintegration of individuals into the community while aiming to lower the possibility of recidivism and increase public safety. Senate Bill 2073 allows those sentenced to life in prison while under the age of 21 to become eligible for parole review.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker was recently in Champaign to announce the I-57/I-74 interchange project was moving into phase two. The Governor says that interchange is an integral part of the state's transportation network…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The project is supposed to be completed in 2026.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – After a heated, more than three hour Champaign County board meeting regarding the question of eliminating two county offices, board members came to a decision. The Champaign County Board voted to indefinitely table the possibility of removing the elected position of county coroner. The auditor’s race will still be on the primary and general election in 2024 and the referendum question to eliminate the county auditor’s office and make it an appointed position, will not be on the primary ballot.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Christmas may be over, but one Champaign organization believes that the gift of giving is all year round. C-U at Home provides vital warming shelters throughout the community and is hoping for continued community support into the new year. They have noticed an increase in homelessness and people seeking shelter throughout Champaign-Urbana. C-U at Home says more and more people in the community are looking for assistance. The organization has seven homes throughout the Champaign-Urbana community. These provide shelter programs, case management services and more.

 

(Washington-jm) – If you are looking for an entry level job that involves fighting climate change, the USDA may have just the job for you. Gary Crawford reports…