(Springfield-jm) – For the second consecutive year, Illinois has been named the number one leader for workforce development in the Midwest region. The top ranking highlights the State of Illinois’ commitment to expanding access to innovative workforce programs and making critical investments through legislation and programming to reduce barriers to good-paying jobs in order to create a thriving business ecosystem for jobseekers, employees and employers. The Site Selection magazine ranking recognizes “states that performed well in a set of measures that gauge workforce-related aspects of states' overall employment climate.” It combines information from CNBC, U.S. News, and other organizations.

 

(Springfield-jm) – What is in store for the Illinois housing market in 2024 is uncertain, but inventories and interest rates are expected to be a major factor. 

One industry analyst says the U.S. is short by 5 million homes. That is one reason many homeowners chose to stay put in 2023, leading to a seller’s market.  According to Illinois Realtors, year-over-year home sales continued to drop at the end of last year as available housing inventory remained tight. In November, there were only 20,568 homes for sale in Illinois, a 22.2% decrease from November 2022.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is touting the state’s investment in early childhood education. The Governor announced Wednesday the state exceeded their goal of creating more pre-k spots through the Smart Start program…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a shooting. On December 31st, 2023, at approximately 10:40 p.m., Champaign Police were dispatched to the 2400 block of North Neil Street in Champaign for a report of shots fired. As officers arrived on-scene, a 24-year-old woman arrived at a local hospital by personal transport suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her leg. Officers learned the victim was seated in her vehicle when the vehicle and a nearby building were struck by gunfire. The victim is recovering from her injuries. Anyone with information regarding this or any crime in Champaign County, please contact Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS.

 

(Springfield-jm) – While legislators were scheduled to be at the capitol for 3 days this week, it was an all too familiar occurrence……..House members were in session for less than an hour over the first two days combined and Today’s session day was canceled.  106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington talks about what he hopes to see during the spring legislative session…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Danville-jm) – To help out the homeless veterans, State Senator Paul Faraci is hosting a food drive. The donations will benefit the homeless military veterans and their families at Cannon Place on the campus of the Illiana VA. The food drive has already started and ends Feb. 19. Donations can be dropped off at either Senator Faraci’s Danville office at 201 N. Vermilion St. or the Danville Public Library at 319 N. Vermilion St.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club has a “glo bingo” event with a specific purpose for raising dollars. Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club President Nicole Bruns says the group normally looks for donations for sports teams. This event is set to put a new sound system at the schools softball and baseball diamonds..

 

 

Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club President Nicole Bruns.

 

(Mitchell–jc)  A tiny town in Illinois just got some huge news. An Illinois Lottery retailer in Mitchell is celebrating big after selling a winning $1 million Mega Millions ticket. The ticket was purchased for the Tuesday, January 16 drawing at 508 Variety Shop, located at 508 E. Chain of Rocks Road in Mitchell, Illinois, an unincorporated community located outside of St. Louis with a population of just over 1,000.

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College trustees swore in a new public safety officer at its regular meeting Wednesday and acted on new grant applications and personnel appointments.  Erik Combs was approved as a peace officer in the Parkland College Public Safety Department. He is a 1993 alum of Parkland College. Trustees also approved purchasing a  Case Skid Load from Birkey's Farm Store in Gibson City.  The board also appointed Staci Disney as Associate Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Zachary Chalk as a Flight Instructor and Kristen Wall as a Health Professional

 

(Springfield-jm) – As Facebook’s parent company announces new safeguards to protect young people, an Illinois lawmaker says more needs to be done. Meta, which also owns Instagram, announced Thursday that it would hide more content on its apps from teens after calls for the social media giant to better protect children from harmful content. The company has been under pressure in the U.S. and in Europe over allegations that its apps are addictive and have helped contribute to a mental health crisis. State Senator Sue Rezin of Morris, said she plans to introduce legislation in Illinois to address mental health problems among young people.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Some are speculating Gov. J.B. Pritzker may work to confiscate registered firearms if there’s another mass casualty event. Part of Illinois’ gun ban enacted last year includes a registry of banned items. Before the Jan. 1 deadline to register, nearly 30,000 Illinsoians registered banned firearms with the state. That’s about 1.22% of the state’s 2.4 million Firearm Owners ID card holders.  Guns Save Life Executive Director John Boch said there could be efforts on the horizon implemented to confiscate firearms that were registered following a mass casualty event. The Governor’s office denies those assertions that were raised.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is hi-liting the state’s economy. The Governor talks about how the state’s economy looked when he took office five years ago…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The city of Paxton is looking at some possible upgrades and economic development to its Main Street. Paxton Main Street is an organization focused on providing residents and visitors with a unique experience, and economic development. They've applied to be a part of the Illinois Main Street Program, which supports downtown business districts across the state. The city pledged $20,000 to Paxton Main Street annually for three years, but only if they're accepted to the program.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The sports complex in Rantoul continues to grow and add more community, school and other recreational events. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried says they continue to book more events like they did in 20-23…

 

 

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried. Parkland College Baseball in February is one of the first events for calendar year 20-24. Baseball and Softball tournaments start in March. 

 

(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois trustees are expected to approve an additional $6.4 million for a new roof on the Illini Union. Last March, trustees approved $15 million for the project. The project will also include new windows on 78 dormers and replacing trim.

 

(Urbana–jc)   From Damar Hamlin to Bronny James, 2023 saw a handful of athletes go down on the playing surface from a heart event. Should parents be talking to their kids’ doctor about this? Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more from an Urbana doctor…

 

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s Foodmobile will be in the following communities today: Abbe Insurance Buckley from 9-9:30, Durham Park in Onarga from 10-10:30, Crescent City Community Center from 11-11:30, RP Home and Harvest in Watseka from 12:30-1 and Milford Town and Country from 1:30-2.

 

The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper this evening from 4:30-6:30 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 Emergency Management Agency will hold their first in a series of meetings to update their hazard mitigation plan tonight at 6:30 pm at the MABAS 37 building located at 103 and a half Main Street in Crescent City.