(Springfield-jm) – A new campaign to raise awareness about Illinois' Firearm Restraining Orders, or “red flag laws,” launched Tuesday during National Public Health Week involving the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Illinois effort is the first phase of a planned multi-state campaign called “Pause to Heal.” It is designed to prevent firearm suicides and other shootings by educating the public about the state’s red flag laws, and the power that family and household members have to ask a court to temporarily restrict access to guns and ammunition when a person poses a threat to themselves or others.
(Springfield-jm) – A week after a shakeup on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, Senate Republicans are calling for reforms. Capitol News Illinois reports GOP leaders point to the case of Crosetti Brand-who is accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriends 11-year-old son to death a day after being released from custody. In response, two members of the board resigned. Now, Senate Republican Leader John Curran and others want to increase qualification and training standards required to serve on the board…
Senate Republican Leader John Curran. Some of the proposals include requiring all members to have 20 cumulative years of experience working in criminal justice, and to take yearly domestic violence and sexual assault training. At an unrelated event this week, Governor Pritzker said domestic violence training for board members will be enhanced. He has not nominated any replacements yet.
(Urbana-jm) – West Springfield Avenue between South Wright Street and South Matthews Avenue and North Matthews Avenue between West Springfield Avenue and West Green Street will be closed to through traffic from 7 a.m. on Thursday to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday to accommodate the 2024 University of Illinois Engineering Open House.
(Paxton–jc) There is another new business for downtown Paxton. This business is going into the former Sieberts TV location in the downtown area of the city. The theme of the store is expected to be for party rentals, says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. No name or more information has been released from the store owners, but they are expected to open this Spring.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a fatal shooting at a party at a gas station in 2022. Quentin Hymon received the sentence in Champaign County court in the shooting death of Prentiss Jackson Junior at the Mach One gas station at Bloomington Road and Prospect Avenue.
(Watseka–jc) –The Watseka Family Festival is set for August 22nd through August 24th in the Iroquois County town. Festival event committee members announced that Tracy Lawrance is one of the performers for that weekend. Iroquois County Economic Development Executive Director Angel Crawford says her office will help with the marketing of the local Watseka event with the Illinois Office of Tourism…
Iroquois County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Angel Crawford.
(Flatville—jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville. The local Christ based church is celebrating 150 years at its location in the Champaign county town of Flatville this weekend. 150th Celebration Committee Chairman Russell Buhr says it started with a small church in 1874…
He says the property grew in the 1950s with a classroom and more…
Immanuel Lutheran Church 150th Committee Chairman Russell Buhr.
You can hear more about the church and celebration on later newscasts today and with an interview with Russell Buhr during the noon news.
(Springfield-jm) – Compared to other states, Illinois’ property taxes continue to be among the highest. The personal finance site Money Geek gave Illinois the grade of “F” because it ranks second in the nation behind New Jersey for the highest property taxes. When it comes to the consequences of its tax policy, Josh Bandoch of the Illinois Policy Institute would give Illinois an even lower grade, he said. With property taxes at over 2% of the average household income, Illinoisans struggle with a huge tax burden. Ninety-seven percent of the people who moved out of Illinois in the past year relocated to states with lower tax rates.
(Springfield-jm) – An area lawmaker is co-sponsoring legislation to make housing more affordable for seniors and veterans. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains the legislation…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign County-jm) – A Georgetown man was seriously hurt on Tuesday morning after a car crash in Champaign County. It happened at 8:30 a.m. in the intersection of 2200 East and 2100 North in Stanton Township. Officials with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office said a 24-year-old Georgetown man was driving north on 2200 East when he blew past a stop sign. He hit a truck, which was traveling east on 2100 North. The 24-year-old was transported to a local hospital for what authorities called “potentially life-threatening injuries.” The truck driver, identified as a 36-year-old Fisher man, declined medical attention.
(Rantoul–jc) Rantoul village leaders are looking to keep a piece of military history in the village. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith formed a committee to look at the future of the I-C-B-Missile that stands along route 45 on the west side of town. The committee met and made its recommendation to village leaders and now the village board will vote next week to restore the missile as part of the history of Rantoul. Mayor Chuck Smith talks about the project…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Vermilion County-jm) – If you are in need of a dog, the Vermilion County Animal Shelter can help. The animal shelter is at max capacity with dogs and are looking for people to come adopt dogs. Those interested can call the shelter at 217-431-2660.
(Washington-jm) – A recent media call featured the delegation head of USDA's latest agricultural trade mission and details of the recent visit to South Korea. Rod Bain reports…
