(Springfield-jm) – April is Safe Digging Month in Illinois, and the Illinois Commerce Commission is reminding citizens they can help reduce utility outages and accidents by calling 811. With temperatures starting to rise, this annual proclamation is a reminder to all professional excavators and homeowners to call 811 to safely locate and mark utility lines before starting a digging project. Illinois law requires all homeowners and professional excavators to call JULIE, the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators, at the statewide number 811 before digging at least 48 hours or two working days prior to starting excavation. The project must begin within 14 calendar days from the call, and locate requests have a 28-day life.
(Springfield-jm) – Sports betting in Illinois in January dipped a bit from the month earlier. According to the Illinois Gaming Board, the total sports betting handle in January was down just over 2% compared to December, but sportsbooks and state coffers were up with over 5% increases across the board for revenue and taxes. Even though numbers were slightly down, Illinois sports betting totaled nearly $1.3 billion and trailed only New York and New Jersey. Illinois filled its coffers with nearly $20.3 million in tax revenue while Cook County received $1.36 million.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers. Capitol News Illinois reports current law allows employers to pay tipped workers 60 percent of the minimum wage, but if an employee makes less than the state’s minimum wage after tips, the employer must make up the difference. Bill sponsor Representative Lisa Hernandez says in her proposal, workers will still be able to earn tips…
State Representative Lisa Hernandez. Representative Hernandez and others are still negotiating the bill. They expect to bring an amendment back to committee before it goes to a vote on the House floor.
(Urbana-jm) – Illinois State Police and the Urbana Fire Department responded to a tow truck fire on Interstate 74 Thursday afternoon. The fire happened around 3:30 p.m. near the exit to University Avenue. Firefighters were on the scene for about 10 minutes, helping to make sure the fire was fully out. State Troopers were already using fire extinguishers on the truck by the time the fire department arrived. The tow truck was the only vehicle involved in the fire. No one was hurt.
(Paxton–jc) It’s up to 22 with the number of businesses in downtown Paxton that have used Tax Increment Financing District funds to upgrade business properties. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the latest projects involve some new windows and awnings…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Undated-jm) – U.S. Representative Robin Kelly announced the approval of $1,890,000 in federal funding for community projects in East Central Illinois. Rep. Kelly secured this funding allocation as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 government appropriations package. Representative Kelly secured investments for the following projects: $850,000 is allocated for the City of Danville for its revitalization of the city’s Madison Neighborhood. $500,000 is allocated for the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County to support development of a planned 17,700-square-foot intergenerational community center. $540,000 is allocated for the Rantoul Youth Center to expand its capacity to provide meals to its members.
(Champaign-dm)-- It’s the phenomenon everyone’s talking about – Monday’s solar eclipse. We’ve been told to view it safely, but what are the consequences if we don’t? Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.
Eclipse glasses are a good way to view the sun safely on Monday.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Paxton Redi Mix. The local company has been serving a 25 to 30 mile radius around Paxton since 1955. Paxton Redi Mix Spokesperson Carol Whitcomb says three generations of their family have owned and operated the local company…
Carol Whitcomb says they provide concrete, sand and gravel for road work to new homes, driveways and more...
Paxton Redi Mix Spokesperson Carol Whitcomb
Contact Paxton Redi Mix at 217-379-3631.
Paxton Redi Mix is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are hoping to help kids focus on their mental health. Right now, legislation is working its way through the statehouse to require school districts to have downtime for students. State senator Rachel Ventura said students are dealing with higher stress and anxiety levels in school, and this legislation will be just one solution to help kids stay focused during the school day. As part of the bill, school districts would be required to offer relaxation time or activities for at least 20 minutes a week, to be used to focus on self-care.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking the public to provide feedback on the state's transportation system and the department’s overall performance through its annual Illinois Traveler Opinion Survey. Available now through April 26, the survey can be taken online by visiting idot.illinois.gov. Conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield, the survey is a chance for people to give their opinion on a range of topics. This year’s survey asks for input on road conditions, ice-and-snow removal, planning priorities, electronic vehicles and more.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers. Capitol News Illinois reports current law allows employers to pay tipped workers 60 percent of the minimum wage, but if an employee makes less than the state’s minimum wage after tips, the employer must make up the difference. Bill sponsor Representative Lisa Hernandez says in her proposal, workers will still be able to earn tips, but opponents, like Conn’s Hospitality Group President Karen Conn, say it’ll lead to increased costs…
Conn’s Hospitality Group President Karen Conn. Representative Hernandez and others are still negotiating the bill. They expect to bring an amendment back to committee before it goes to a vote on the House floor.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois State Police recently wrapped up a traffic enforcement operation that spanned from Champaign County to the southern tip of the state. Troopers issued over 4,300 speeding warnings and tickets as part of that operation. Dubbed Operation Fast Break, the operation lasted the entire month of March and was meant to combat aggressive and unsafe driving on Interstate 57. Fast Break was focused on over 250 miles of highway between milepost zero in Alexander County and milepost 257 at the Champaign-Ford County line. 52 Scott’s Law citations were also issued along with 7 DUI arrests and 187 citations for not having a drivers license.
(Rantoul–jc) Even though the weather says winter, spring is here and Rantoul leaders are continuing to move forward with their waste water project in the village. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the almost 18 million dollar project continues with the next phase of the project…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is giving away free steering wheel locks to vulnerable Kia and Hyundai owners. The program is in response to a widespread social media trend that emerged in 2021 after TikTok videos demonstrated how to steal the cars. Champaign Police are distributing the steering wheel locks to not only Champaign residents, but anyone who needs one. Visitors are only asked to bring proof of ownership of a 2011-2021 Kia vehicle or a 2013-2021 Hyundai vehicle to qualify for a lock. Officials said the locks are available on a first come, first served basis. Those interested can visit the front desk of the police station at 82 East University Avenue in Champaign.
(Buckley–jc) Two school concerts are coming to Christian schools in Buckley this month. C-L-H-S and St Johns School Executive Director Sandy Spitz invites the public to hear the music and more…
C-L-H-S and St John’s School Executive Director Sandy Spitz.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold a family dinner night tonight. Doors open at 5 pm.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host country group Confederate Railroad tonight. Doors open at 6 with the concert beginning at 7:30.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree on Saturday from 10-2.
Battle Creek Country will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday at 7pm. Cost is $10 for those 13 and older. Food will be available starting at 5:30.
