(Springfield-jm) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Illinois Thursday to make a case for the Biden administration’s economic agenda. Yellen’s trip was billed as official rather than political as President Joe Biden is expecting a rematch against former President Donald Trump in November. The economy has been a drag on Biden’s popularity poll numbers, but the government reported Thursday that the economy grew at an unexpectedly brisk 3.3% annual pace from October through December.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education is aiming high in its request for more taxpayer funding in the next fiscal year. The board is proposing a $653 million increase over the current level of spending for pre-K-12 schools, bringing the overall budget request for the next school year to $11 billion. The proposal includes a $350 million increase in Evidence-Based Funding. State Superintendent of Schools Tony Sanders’ proposal also seeks an additional $75 million increase for the state’s early childhood block grant. It may be a tough ask of Illinois lawmakers as the state is facing a possible budget deficit in the neighborhood of $900 million for the coming fiscal year that begins July 1.
(Washington-jm) – A land grant university economist notes some of the economic areas that ag producers have an eye on this year. Rod Bain reports…
(Fairbury-jm) – Fairbury Police arrested a Loda man in connection to child sex crimes. Officers said 24-year-old Colton M. Johnson traveled to a home in Forrest to meet with a child under 14 years of age. Authorities said Johnson had been in communication with the minor and accused him of having sexual intentions behind the meeting. Johnson was subsequently arrested on charges of indecent solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child.
(Rantoul–jc) The 20-24 seasons at the Rantoul Sports Complex will begin soon. Parkland baseball, March softball and baseball tournaments, spring and summer ball leagues to soccer football, frisbee and more will hilite sports activities at the Rantoul based complex. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried (reed) says the village also has other activities to provide entertainment for families coming to Rantoul…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried
(Undated-jm) – A geological survey is collecting data from the Mahomet Aquifer with the hope to define the boundaries of the aquifer and determine its long-term health. The Illinois State Geological Survey project will develop a 3-dimensional map, including Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion counties. The aquifer is the area's source for drinking water. The Champaign News-Gazette reports the at-least month-long survey will include helicopter fly-overs to collect infrastructure data to provide mapping of the aquifer and record gaps in water-well records and bore holes. The survey will define the boundaries of the aquifer and better pin-point the higher qualities of the aquifer. The Illinois State Water Survey will find the data beneficial in developing long-range prediction models. Airborne electromagnetic technology measures changes in materials like sand and clay to define aquifer boundaries. Imaging will be used to create 3D pictures of what the aquifer looks like 1,000 feet underground.
(Urbana-jm) – People 65 and up have a higher risk for heart issues. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has tips to stay healthy…
***News nws 0215senior heart*** Ditman voicer
(Gifford-jc) – The 20-24 Midwest Ag Expo is complete for this year. The two day event showcased all things agriculture. One exhibitor was Double Y Sales and Service of Cissna Park. Owner Tom Yergler says those attending the expo talked about spring and mowers and service …
Double Y Sales and Service of Cissna Park Owner Tom Yergler.
Abbe Insurance-Edge Insurance Owner Dylan Reetz of Buckley says topics at their booth range from interest rates to crop insurance…
Abbe Insurance-Edge Insurance of Buckley Owner Dylan Reetz
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Revenue announced it will begin accepting and processing 2023 tax returns on Monday, the same date the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting federal income tax returns. In addition to free filing of Form IL-1040 through MyTax.Illinois.gov, individuals may also utilize the site to make payments, respond to department inquiries, and check the status of their refunds using the “Where’s My Refund” tab. If a taxpayer electronically files an error-free return, they should receive a direct deposit refund in about four weeks.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are renewing calls to get guns out of the hands of dangerous people following multiple domestic-related shootings in the state over the past week. Sponsors and advocates want to protect domestic violence survivors by taking guns away from abusers. Survivors of domestic violence can currently ask for 18 different remedies when they seek an order of protection. One of those options requires the abuser's gun to be confiscated, and their FOID card is automatically suspended. Although, the firearms are too often transferred to someone else with a valid FOID card in the home. The Illinois House passed a gun control omnibus bill with these changes in May, but the bill stalled in the Senate. Research conducted by The Network in 2021 found that roughly 11,000 people in Illinois had their FOID cards revoked. Yet, only 4,000 of those Illinoisans filed the official paperwork with Illinois State Police to confirm their guns were transferred to another valid FOID card holder.
(Washington-jm) – Your dog may be more at risk from severe cold than you might think. Gary Crawford reports…
(Urbana-jm) – The parents of a University of Illinois student who was found dead with signs of hypothermia last weekend have filed a complaint of negligence against the school’s Police Department. 18-year-old Akul Dwahan went missing early Saturday morning and was found dead 10 hours later on the back porch of a building at Nevada Street and Goodwin Avenue.
(Springfield-jm) – The Joint Commission on Administrative Rules met recently to discuss the state’s gun ban rules. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares how it went…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Ford County-jm) – A downstate Illinois county is taking steps to prevent migrants from being dropped off. Ford County Zoning Committee members are moving forward to dub themselves a non-sanctuary county. If migrants were dropped off in the county of about 13,000, a county official said it would overwhelm their ability to house, feed and provide medical attention. In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted legislation enhancing the state’s status as a migrant sanctuary.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Toy Show is set for Saturday February 10th at the high school in Paxton. Paxton Buckley Loda F F A member Payton Dorche says this is the 35th annual event and showcases collectibles and more…
Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Member Payton Dorche (‘door-chee). The event starts at 9am on February 10th.
(Gibson City–jc) – Two legislators will be honored in their hometown tonight. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett and the late State Representative Scott Bennett will receive the Gibson City Melvin Sibley school Distinguished Alumni award. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett says this is a special honor…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
The honor will be given during tonight’s halftime of the boys basketball game at G-C-M-S High School.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The 2024 Hoopeston Area FFA Alumni Scholarship Auction will take place tomorrow at the Legion with silent auction 4-6 pm, food served starting at 4:30 and live auction starting at 6.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Brushville tomorrow at 8pm. Doors open at 6.
