(Washington-jm) – Illinois congressman Darin LaHood says a tax relief package that recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives will help small businesses grow, boost American competitiveness and support working families. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 includes various provisions, including a child tax credit, breaks for small businesses and affordable housing. LaHood said the legislation restores a 12.5% allocation increase to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit that expired in 2021. LaHood noted that the measure will help finance over 200,000 rental units for low income households across the country. Businesses would be able to immediately deduct the cost of their research and development investments, instead of spreading it out over several years. The bill also addresses how business interest expense is handled and 100% bonus depreciation. The package passed the U.S. House on a bipartisan vote and it now heads to the Senate for consideration.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A move is underway at the Illinois Statehouse to address the rising costs of local pensions while some look to alleviate the state’s property tax burden. Illinois property taxes are already among the highest in the country. Many taxing bodies have more of their share of property taxes going to local pensions. Part of the Illinois Municipal League’s 2024 legislative agenda includes re-amortizing local pension debt beyond the aim of 90% funded by 2040. IML CEO Brad Cole equated that to refinancing a home loan. Municipal leaders say without some relief, they may have to increase taxes on local residents to continue making payments and providing services. State Rep. Tim Ozinga, filed House Bill 4866 to give local school districts more state taxpayer funds through an Education Property Tax Relief Fund. He said that could lower property taxes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently said increasing state funding for local K-12 education would also help lower property taxes. The state’s school funding formula allocates an additional $350 million extra a year for public K-12 education. Illinois legislators return Tuesday. Pritzker delivers his budget address Wednesday.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA's February global corn production forecasts note a lower outlook for Brazil's total production. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA’s annual Ag Outlook Forum presented the Department’s first take on major crop commodities for the coming year. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a vehicle versus building Thursday evening. Crews were called just before 6pm for a vehicle that ran into the Pontiac Granite building across from the IGA. No injuries were reported.

 

(Champaign-jm) – An 18-year-old from Champaign will spend six years behind bars for a shooting incident near Booker T. Washington STEM Academy in the fall. Tyzerion Wesley pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class X felony. On September 14, 2023, Wesley was in a group of people that encountered another group near the school. The groups opened fire on each other, but no one was hurt. Wesley was arrested within 10 days of the shooting and was charged alongside three other teenagers, all 15 or 16 years old, in connection to the shooting. 

 

(Paxton–dm)--If you are planning to do some painting soon, Scott Allen from Paxton Hardware and Rental has some ideas on picking out the right paint brush for the job.

 

 

Scott Allen from Paxton Hardware and Rental.  You can hear more from Scott on Saturday morning at 7:30 on Scott’s tips for success.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – To give residents a chance to receive direct assistance and have their voices heard, State Senator Paul Faraci has teamed up with Congresswoman Robin Kelly to host mobile office hours on Feb. 22 in Rantoul. The free event is an opportunity for residents to get help from both offices, such as assistance with state and federal resources. Coffee will be provided for attendees. The mobile office hours will be held on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 1-4 p.m. at the Rantoul Business Center, located at 601 S. Century Blvd. in Rantoul.

 

(Buckley–jc)  –  It’s a Chicken Dinner, carnival and silent auction set for Sunday afternoon in Buckley. The annual event is sponsored by the St Johns Lutheran School P-T-L. St John’s event spokesperson Kira Ebert says the dinner starts at 4pm…

 

 

St Johns Lutheran School Chicken Dinner, Carnival and Silent Auction Spokesperson Kira Ebert. The event starts with a carnival at 3-30 and the gym will be full of silent auction items to bid on.  Some of the funds raised will go towards at bleachers project at the school and also school projects.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A State Senator proposed a bill that would implement gender-neutral terms in certain sections of civil law. Senate Bill 2777 replaces terms like “husband” and “wife” with “spouse,” “married couple” and other gender-neutral alternatives in sections of civil law related to property. This would remove legal ambiguities when preparing real estate documents and ensure compliance with the state’s same-sex marriage law. By using gender-neutral terms, the legislation would make the legal code more inclusive to nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming individuals and those in same-sex relationships.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Employers could soon be getting tax credits for helping their employees pay student loans. This could happen if the General Assembly passes a bill for it this spring. Deductions would be limited to the first payment of $5,250. Senator Paul Faraci, of Champaign, is a co-sponsor. He thinks this bill would have a dramatic impact on employees throughout the state. If passed, it will go into effect immediately.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA’s Chief Economist offered his take Thursday on the direction of 2024 food prices and food prices inflation as part of the 100th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Washington-jm) – The Agriculture Department’s 2024 outlook for ag trade focuses on challenges in the global marketplace regarding increased competition, particularly one region of the world. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – The man accused of shooting the general manager of Pour Bros. Craft Taproom a week ago is now facing charges for the theft of the gun used in the shooting and for allegedly showing it during a robbery two days earlier. Two days after his indictment on a first-degree murder charge, Fidele Tshimanga was back in court to be arraigned on burglary and armed robbery charges. Each charge was brought in separate court cases.

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – The Vermilion County Board has agreed to hire a firm to prepare plans for improvements at four county-owned buildings. The Vermilion County Courthouse, the Cannon Building, the Health Department building, and the EMA building on route one are the buildings looked for improvement.  All of those buildings have very antiquated HVAC systems which need to be updated for performance purposes and for trying to conserve energy. New lighting and windows are also included in the plans. The County Board has earmarked federal ARPA Covid relief money to pay for the work.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Google and the State of Illinois are teaming up to provide behavioral health resources. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains how the partnership will work…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Paxton–jc) A meet some of the candidates forum is set for Kinos Coffee in downtown Paxton on Saturday. The event will feature ford County Circuit Clerk candidate Kasi Schwarts, Ford County Board candidate Kelsie Vaughn and Ford County Board candidate Dom Brackenhoff. The event runs from 9am to 11am on Saturday at Kinos Coffee in downtown Paxton. 

 

(Gilman–jc)  The Iroquois West F F A is hosting its annual dinner and auction on Saturday at the high school in Gilman. Iroquois West F F A Advisor Sandy Howe says the event starts at 4pm on Saturday…

 

 

Iroquois West F F A Advisor Sandy Howe. Money raised helps with scholarships, national convention and chapter projects. 

 

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s Foodmobile will be in the following communities today: across from the Piper City Community Center from 9-9:30, Living Word Church Roberts from 10-10:30, across from Melvin Convenient from 11-11:30, Gibson City city hall from 12:15-12:45, Elliott village hall from 1-1:30 and Paxton Hardware and Rental from 1:30-2.

 

The Buckley Sportsmans Club annual fish fry will take place this evening starting at 4:30 at the Legion Hut.

 

Onarga American Legion Post 551 will hold their fish fry this evening from 4:30-7 at the Legion Hall at Durham Park.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host Jump: America’s Van Halen Experience tonight at 7:30. Doors open at 6.

 

The Cissna Park Development Board will hold a night of Dueling  Pianos and Saturday at the Cissna Park American Legion. Cocktail hour will be from 5-6 with dinner served starting at 6 with music going until 9. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at Knapp and Steiner True Value.

 

The PBL Booster Club will hold Glo Bingo on Saturday. Doors open at 5:30 with Bingo at 7. Tickets are available by reaching out to the Booster Club.

 

The Ludlow Fire Department will hold their pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday from 8-12 at the Ludlow Fire House. Cost is $6 for adults. Kids 5 and under are free.

 

The Gibson City Lions Club will hold their all you can eat pancake day on Sunday from 8-12:45 in the GCMS Elementary School. Cost is $10 for those 13 and older, kids 6-12 are $4.

 

The St. Johns Lutheran School PTL annual Chicken Dinner, silent auction and carnival will take place on Sunday starting at 3:30. Tickets are available by calling the school at 217-394-2422.