(Springfield-jm) – With former President Donald Trump’s access to Illinois’ primary ballot being challenged, it’s possible his name could appear on the Republican ticket but with a condition. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that objectors, using the 14th Amendment, claim that Trump is barred for encouraging protestors to storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court similar moves from Colorado and Maine. The primary in Illinois is March 19. The General Election is Nov. 5.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state of Illinois is continuing to address the migrant crisis with a new intake center and shelter site set to launch this month. State officials also announced another extension of its food services contract at city of Chicago shelter sites to feed the migrants. The new intake center will be co-located with Chicago’s bus landing zone, with six heated tents now under construction and expected to open in the coming weeks. More than 60 buses were sent to Illinois from Texas between Dec. 20-27, with nearly 2,500 new arrivals.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning the public to be aware of phone scams that may use artificial intelligence to impersonate the voice of a loved one. He said AI allows scammers to use snippets of audio, which are available through videos on social media, to copy voices. The scammer then claims a loved one is in trouble in an effort to obtain money or personal information. Raoul advises to hang up and call back on a known number, and suggests a codeword or phrase between family members to confirm identity.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Positive Economic Development continues in the village of Rantoul as we start a new year. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says several projects with unnamed new businesses are in the works…

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – Area Republican precinct committee members have nominated two people to replace a pair of GOP members of the Vermilion County Board who recently stepped down.  Nominated to replace Shelley Mclain in District 3 is Kevin Bodine, and nominated to replace Joel Bird in District 1 is Former Chief Inspector for the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department Gary Miller.

 

(Paxton–jc)  I-H-S-A member schools were asked to vote on a “districts” proposal for football organization. The issue has been talked about and voted on for several years. Paxton Buckley Loda Athletic Director Brock Niebuhr says the idea would place schools in an 8 team district  within class size and geography…

 

Paxton Buckley Loda Athletic Director Brock Niebuhr. The vote to move to districts was declined, but the issue is expected to be refined and readdressed again. 

 

(Undated-jm) – For the first time since 2021, the average price of gas in the State of Illinois is below $3 per gallon. GasBuddy’s first analysis of gas prices in 2024 found that the statewide average has fallen to $2.99 per gallon. The last time Illinoisans enjoyed gas at that price was in March of 2021. Since then, the average skyrocketed to a high of $5.62 in June of 2022 before coming back down. The last five months in particular have seen a drop of more than $1 per gallon on average. The average at the start of August was $4.08 per gallon, and 2023 ended with 15 straight weeks of falling gas prices. They fell by an average of six cents since last week and by an average of 14 cents since the week before Christmas.

 

(Washington-jm) – One expert is voicing optimism about the winter wheat crop. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Springfield-jm) – Thursday was the first day for Democratic and Republican presidential preference and delegate candidates to file original petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The March 2024 primary will feature all U.S. House districts in Illinois, along with state representative districts and 20 of the state’s 58 State Senate seats.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The cousin of Governor J.B. Pritzker is named in recently released documents related to the child sex trafficking case around the late Jeffery Epstein. In one deposition with Epstein victims Virginia Giuffre, she said she had sexual relations one time with Tom Pritzker, the executive director of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, CEO of the Pritzker Organization and cousin to Illinois’ governor.

 

(Chicago-jm) – A federal judge on Thursday said the four former Commonwealth Edison leaders convicted last year of corruption don't deserve an acquittal or a new trial. U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber denied motions by former state lawmaker and lobbyist Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and former contract lobbyist Jay Doherty. McClain, Pramaggiore, Hooker and Doherty have yet to be sentenced and it is not yet clear when they will be sentenced. All four have asked the judge to put their sentencing hearings on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court considers another case focused on the federal bribery statute.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is touting the state’s investment in road and bridge projects. The Governor has been traveling the state talking about the massive investment into updating roads and bridges throughout Illinois. He recently made a stop in Champaign to discuss the I-57/I-74 interchange project. The Governor talks about the investment…

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

(Danville-jm) – The Adult Education and Literacy department at Danville Area Community College will host a New Year, New You event at the Danville Village Mall/DACC Barbering classroom this coming Saturday, from 1:00 to 3:00PM. The event is intended for individuals 16 years and over who wish to obtain their Illinois High School Diploma, and for non-native English-speaking individuals who wish to improve their English reading, speaking, and writing skills. The event is free and open to anyone in the community who would like to explore the available services. Other activities will include free haircuts compliments of DACC’s new barbering program, door prizes, popcorn, raffles, and a photo booth.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The New Year has just started and they are ready for a banner year at the Rantoul Sports Complex on the west side of the village. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried says they start the year in February with some Parkland College baseball…

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new law requires the Illinois Department of Human Services to track and report stolen SNAP benefits. Card skimming has increased for SNAP benefits in many states. Federal legislation will replace stolen SNAP benefits between Oct. 2022 and Sept. 2024. IDHS only started collecting data on Link card skimming in Dec. 2022. The law also requires the Department to report Link Card fraud to the county state’s attorney and assist in their investigations.

 

(Washington-jm) – Hog producers are starting the new year by trying to boost prices by keeping a lid on production. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  The Paxton Buckley Loda Panthers Sports Booster Club is hosting an event to raise money for a new sound system for the school’s baseball and softball fields. Paxton Buckley Loda Booster Club President Nicole Bruns says the event is set for February 17th at the Pueblo Lindo Event Center and tickets for the Glo Bingo event are available now with, Event Brite…

Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club President Nicole Bruns

 

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

 

The Loda American Legion will hold their fish fry tonight from 4-6:30 pm. Cost is $10 for adults 13 and up kids 12 and under are $5.