It’s election day in Illinois, the Spring Primary.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that more than 190 teams of assistant attorneys general and investigators from his office will be monitoring the primary election throughout the state to ensure that voters’ rights are protected and polling places are accessible. Raoul urged voters to call his office if they encounter suspected improper or illegal activity.

(Washington-jm) – As TikTok faces an uncertain future in the U.S., an Illinois congressman is explaining why he voted “yes” on a bill to force the social media company to part ways with its Chinese parent company ByteDance. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said it is too risky to allow the Chinese Communist Party to have a backdoor for harvesting information on Americans. LaHood said it is shocking that 45% of Gen-Zers get their news from TikTok, especially during an election year.

(Springfield-jm) – The latest unemployment numbers are out and it shows the state is still lagging behind neighboring states. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington explains…

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

(Normal-jm) – The Illinois State University Board of Trustees named Dr. Aondover Tarhule as the University’s 21st president Monday. Trustees also approved a four-year contract for Tarhule that will expire March 17, 2028. Tarhule served a year-long appointment as interim president. He joined Illinois State University in 2020 as vice president for academic affairs and provost, also serving as a professor in the Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment.

(Paxton–jc) Paxton leaders have made it easier for someone to participate in open meetings with a new decision put into place at this month’s meeting of the Paxton City Council. Local leaders approved a remote path for people to remote into meetings that goes along with Section 7 of the Open Meetings Act.Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the new process allows more access to meetings…

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a burglary. On February 29th, police officers responded to Dust & Son Auto Supplies at 1702 North Cunningham Avenue in Urbana for a reported burglary. Upon arrival, officers learned two suspects forced entry into the closed business after breaking the front door window. The suspects went directly to the power tools section and stole 16 chainsaws. The suspects loaded the stolen equipment into a vehicle and fled north on Cunningham Avenue. Police seek the public’s assistance in identifying the subjects captured on video. The first suspect was described as a thin, light skinned male wearing a green sweat suit, white tennis shoes and a black balaclava mask. The second suspect was described as a black male with dreadlocks, wearing a black jacket, white gloves, black sweatpants with white stripes, black and white tennis shoes and a black balaclava mask. The suspect’s vehicle appeared to be a white 2016-2019 Honda Civic with a dent in the driver’s door and a scuff mark in front of the driver’s side front wheel.

(Washington-jm) – How much of last years grain and oilseed crops remain unsold and in storage? We'll have a better idea about that in just a few days. Gary Crawford reports…

(Undated–jc) It’s election day in Illinois, the Spring Primary. Polls are open and voters are electing party members for some county offices. There is a 4 way race in the 53rd State Senate district as current State Senator Tom Bennett is retiring at the end of this year. Voters in Ford County are being asked to support a one percent sales tax to support schools and voters in Gibson City also have a support the pool question on the ballot. Polls close at 7 tonight.

(Springfield-jm) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an Executive Order to create a framework for financing and expanding access to new therapies and drugs, like the recently approved gene therapies for sickle cell disease. The executive order tasks the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services with leading the state’s effort to establish payment models and financial structures that support access to new sickle cell disease treatments and other new high cost drugs. Sickle cell disease is a group of lifelong, inherited blood disorders that affect more than 5,000 Illinois residents.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois business owners are bracing for a potential tax hit from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The governor’s proposed budget extends the cap on business net operating losses, but increases the cap to $500,000. His office estimates the “revenue adjustment” will raise $526 million, the bulk of the nearly $900 million of tax increases in his $52.7 billion spending proposal. Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lou Sandoval said this would take funds from businesses to finance government.

(Springfield-jm) – House Minority Leader Tony McCombie held a capitol press conference recently to discuss the ongoing issues at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and to present their legislative package to provide solutions. Dean Abbott reports…

(Roberts-jm) – Roberts Melvin firefighters were called to a vehicle fire Monday night. Crews were called to the fire on Route 115 and 1400 north around 9:45. There’s no word on if there were any injuries.

(Paxton–jc) Today is Primary election day across the state of Illinois. Area county leaders have been busy preparing for the March 19 election. Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick encourages everyone to exercise their right to vote…

Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick. The polls opened at 6 this morning and close at 7 pm.

(Champaign-jm) – The State Farm Center announced Monday that Justin Moore will perform on Friday, September 13 at 8pm as part of the 2024 University of Illinois Homecoming Weekend. Special guest Tenille Arts will open. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, March 22 at 12pm.

(Washington-jm) – Increased Springtime holiday demand for eggs and smaller supplies are helping drive up egg prices at the grocery store. Gary Crawford reports…

(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Paxton Foundation. The group was formed in 1984 to preserve the old water tower structure in downtown Paxton. The group has maintained the area and among other projects. The next project is to renovate the structure called “crown of the town.” The 100 thousand dollar project will see the rebuilding of the tank on top of the water tower building. Paxton Foundation Member Royce Baier talks about the history of the building…