(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Revenue is encouraging Illinoisans to take advantage of savings offered by the newly expanded Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit, a benefit that helps low to moderate income workers get a tax break. For tax year 2023, coverage has been expanded to include taxpayers with an IRS-issued Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, as well as workers ages 18 to 24 and over 65. Taxpayers eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit automatically qualify for the Illinois credit.
(Springfield-jm) – Despite recent government reports of a stronger economy, most small business owners are struggling, but there is improvement in Illinois. The small business network Alignable reports that 63% of small business owners said they made less money in the 4th quarter of 2023 than the year before, leading to recent troubles in January. 37% said they can’t pay their rent in full or on time. 29% saying they couldn’t pay the rent in full or on time, down from 35% in December, and down 18 percentage points from 47% in November.
(Springfield-jm) – There’s a new bipartisan measure aimed at ensuring the preservation of family farms in the event of a family member’s death. Members of the General Assembly have spent years attempting to reform the Illinois Estate and Generation Transfer Tax Act and 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington hopes this is the year…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.
(Champaign-jm) – One person was injured and a suspect is in custody following a shooting in downtown Champaign late Thursday afternoon. Champaign Police say they were dispatched at 3:19 p.m. to the 100 block of N. Market Street for a report of a shooting with injuries. On-scene, officers located a 45-year-old Broadlands man with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound to the torso. The initial investigation indicates that the victim was approached by Fidele Tshimanga, 24, of Urbana, who produced a firearm and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Additional officers arriving in the area quickly apprehended Tshimanga for his role in this incident. He was transported to the Champaign County Correctional Facility, where he is being held on initial charges, including Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. A firearm was recovered during this investigation.
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul Sports Complex is set to open for the 20-24 season with some baseball later this month, but will have softball and baseball tournaments starting in March. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried says teams interested in participating or businesses that want to plan marketing can give him a call…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried.
(Watseka-jm) – The Watseka Enforcement Team conducted an undercover drug investigation that resulted in the arrest of an Iroquois man. Police arrested Paige "Sam" Chambers after a short drug investigation took place. Chambers was charged with Delivery of a controlled substance, Possession of a controlled substance, Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of drug equipment, Obstruction of justice and driving while license suspended. Earlier in the day, Chambers was indicted by an Iroquois County grand jury for 3 counts of intent to deliver Methamphetamine 15-100grams, two of the counts being within 500 feet of a church.
(Paxton–jc) 5 thousand boxes are available. That is 5 thousand boxes of girl scout cookies from Paxton Troop 27-28. Troop leader Kaye Harper says cookie sales started on February 3rd and runs through mid-march…
Paxton Girl Scout Troop 27-28 Troop Leader Kaye Harper. The troop is selling cookies at Paxton Park District games on Saturday at the Junior High. Contact your local girl scout troop for more information on cookie sales.
(Washington-jm) – USDA has just released a new forecast for Brazil's soybean crop and for U.S. soybean prices. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Workers at the Illinois Department of Transportation could soon be going on strike. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced that its over 3,800 members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike, with 95% voting in favor. A Teamsters spokesperson said the primary roadblock to getting a new contract is that the state wants to switch workers to a different healthcare plan, something they are opposed to.
(Undated-jm) – An oil industry analyst said the temporary BP oil refinery shutdown in Northwest Indiana will impact prices even at non-BP gas stations. The BP refinery in Whiting, one of the largest in the country, suffered a power outage last week and it appears that it will be off-line for at least two weeks. Patrick DeHaan (dee-ha-an) from GasBuddy.com said given the loss of hundreds of millions of gallons of gasoline from the downtime, pricing impacts could spread around the Great Lakes region.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Senate Republicans are calling out the Democratic majority over the state’s handling of migrant healthcare costs. State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet joined fellow Senate Republicans to address their concerns…
State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet.
(Watseka–jc) The Illinois Primary election is set for March 19th. For those in Iroquois County, they will be using new voting machines. Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver says the current machines are outdated and replacing parts has become an issue…
Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver
(Champaign-jm) – State Police confirmed that one person was hurt in the crash on I-74 Thursday afternoon. That person was taken to an area hospital and is expected to be ok. The crash happened between the exits to Neil Street and Prospect Avenue.
(Paxton–jc) – The application is complete for the Paxton based Main Street Group. The local civic organization is applying to become a member of the Illinois Main Street group. Illinois Main Street supports a network of communities across the state that are working to bring prosperity to their historic and commercial districts. Paxton is the Place to Be and Paxton Main Street Director Donna Pepper says they were eager and happy to complete the application…
Paxton is the Place to Be and Paxton Main Street Director Donna Pepper. Illinois Main Street is expected to add several towns to their program sometime in March or April.
(Rantoul–jc) – The Village of Rantoul Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Sub-Committee is set to meet later this month. The committee will be discussing bids they received for the renovation of the missile on the former Chanute Air Force base area. The group will also look at the next steps in the project when they meet on February 21st at 5-30pm at village hall on Tanner Street.
(Springfield-jm) – You can now start filing your taxes. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the best way to file is online…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's latest adjustment to soybean production in Brazil also meant changes regarding to global and U.S. supply and demand estimates. Rod Bain reports…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s Foodmobile will be in Rantoul this morning from 9-10 am at the Fountain Valley mobile home park basketball courts.
The Rankin Fire Department will hold their 29th annual Fireman’s Pancake and Sausage breakfast on Saturday from 6-1. The breakfast is carryout only. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children.
The 35th Annual PBL FFA Farm Toy Show will take place Saturday from 9-2:30 in the high school gym.
