(Springfield-jm) – Illinois State Police responded to more than 500 crashes Monday due to the freezing rain and ice. Many schools were remote learning and travel was discouraged due to the dangerous conditions. A firetruck from Savoy as well as one from Tolono went into the ditch while responding to the same call on I-57. Get the latest road conditions this morning at getting around illinois dot com. Some schools and government buildings are either closed or delayed in opening today.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state of Illinois says "government has no authority" to impose criminal penalties for those not registering banned firearms. Illinois State Police have updated the gun ban registration numbers to include those who registered after the Jan. 1 deadline. On top of the 29,357 individuals who registered before the deadline, 5,867 have registered since. The total of those registering before and after the deadline of 35,224 is 1.46% of the state's more than 2.4 million Firearm Owners ID card holders. In their response to a Fifth Amendment challenge to the state’s gun ban and registry in the Southern District of Illinois federal court, attorneys for the state say the right against self-incrimination isn’t violated by the registry. The state’s lawyers argue the registration is a “voluntary benefit that exempts owners of certain” firearms from “otherwise applicable criminal penalties.” They also argue the “government has no authority to impose” penalties on those that don’t register and the idea someone would be prosecuted for what they file is “not real.”

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA has just given the green light to more fertilizer production expansion projects. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man convicted of killing Ricky Green in 2018 will not get a new trial. In a ruling, the Illinois Supreme Court agreed with lower courts that a key witness to the shooting didn't need to appear in court before Michael Chatman was found guilty. Chatman argued that the Champaign County Court failed to make a good faith effort to bring Dominique "Dee" Collins to the courtroom for testimony during the trial. Attorneys representing Chatman told the Illinois Supreme Court in November that the state could have issued a subpoena or sought a warrant for Collins to testify. A Champaign judge sentenced Chatman to 60 years in prison in December 2021.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The 35th annual Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Toy Show is set for Saturday February 10th at P-B-L High School in Paxton. Paxton Buckley Loda F-F-A Advisor Kirsten Wyatt says the show features exhibitors from several states with toys, collectibles and more, but there are more activities too…

 

Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Advisor Kirsten Wyatt

 

(Urbana-jm) – Tuition rates at the three University of Illinois System schools have been frozen for the 2024-2025 school year. Base tuition for in-state undergraduates remains $12,712 a year in Urbana-Champaign, $11,178 a year in Chicago and $321.50 per credit hour at Springfield. In addition to tuition, the board also approved a zero increase in total fees at all three universities for the first time in more than 25 years. More than 67% of all Illinois undergraduate students enrolled across the U of I System receive some form of financial aid, and more than half pay less than $3,000 per semester.

 

(Gifford–jc)  The 20-24 Midwest Ag Expo is one day away. The annual event at Gordyville USA opens at 8-30 on Wednesday morning. Midwest Ag Expo Spokesperson Gary Manke says the 175 exhibitors always bring something new to the event…

Midwest Ag Expo Spokesperson Gary Manke

WPXN will be broadcasting live at the event Wednesday from 9am until Noon.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker said Monday that he expects abortion issues to be a central talking point in November's election as he marked the 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion a federal right in the United States. Pritzker addressed the anniversary and reaffirmed his commitment to providing abortion care. He took part in an abortion roundtable with Chicago Abortion Fund leaders, healthcare providers, and advocates for abortion services. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, nearly 17,000 people came from other states to Illinois to terminate a pregnancy, which has led to political pushback within the state's government. Last summer, Pritzker's office announced a cross-agency reproductive health care initiative that included $10 million for a public hotline for abortion service navigation and $5 million in capital funding for reproductive health facilities. Republicans argued the state is spending more on people who do not live here.

 

(Washington-jm) – No major surprises in USDA's December Cattle on Feed report. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is asking for help through Crime Stoppers in solving a robbery-turned-shooting that left a man hurt one week ago. The shooting happened near Neil and Green Streets the night of January 14. Police officials said that while the victim was inside a store, a stranger tried to rob him. When the victim became uncooperative, officials said the offender pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the torso.

 

(Undated–jc)  – If you are in favor of parental rights concerning life-altering medical decisions, there is a group that wants an advisory question on the November ballot in Illinois. Former State legislator Jeane Ives is part of the Parents Matter Coalition. Ives says they are seeking 500 thousand signatures to secure a spot on the state ballot in the November election cycle…

 

 

Parents Matter Coalition spokesperson Jeane Ives.  Go online and google the Parents Matter Coalition to  participate and learn more 

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Board has filled a vacancy with a new member. Carolyn Greer was sworn in at the start of the Champaign County Board meeting. She will serve District Six. She was nominated by the Democratic Central Committee in December. The previous member of the board, Mike Ingram, resigned in early December because his family moved out of the district.