(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation is warning of heavy traffic across the state, especially in southern Illinois, when a total solar eclipse takes place today. While many will be able to see a partial version of the eclipse in the northern part of the state, thousands are expected to travel downstate and chase the eclipse path. The agency said crowds of up to 200,000 are expected to travel to the prime viewing areas in southern Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) – It’s no surprise that Illinoisans pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares some results of a recent survey…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Buckley Loda School District is announcing enhanced security will be at the high school this week. It comes after a threat was made Friday. The district says the safety of students is important and they ask anyone with more information about Friday’s threat to call the district office.
(LeRoy-jm) – Several NASCAR legends will be rolling through Central Illinois next month. The 28th annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will be making a stop in LeRoy on Tuesday, May 7th. Among those participating in the 2,100 mile motorcycle trip from South Dakota to North Carolina are Richard Petty, Herschel McGriff, Herschel Walker, Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Mike Wallace, Max Papis, David Raegan, Rutledge Wood and Rick Allen. The ride raises money for Victory Junction, a camp dedicated to providing life changing camping experiences for children with chronic medical conditions.
(Springfield-jm) – A new law proposed in Illinois would change wages for tipped workers across the state. Minimum wage would be mandated under the new law, forcing restaurants to restructure their operations. At a Capitol press conference last week, State Representative Mike Coffey joined business leaders and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association to oppose the legislation, saying it would have a negative impact on employees and business owners…
State Representative Mike Coffey. The group Protect Illinois Restaurants reported a recent survey showed that 87% of tipped restaurant employees said the current tipping system works for them and should not be changed. If tipped wages are eliminated, 86% of employees believe that they will earn less.
(Undated-jm) – There are several meetings slated for around the area tonight. In Rantoul, Rantoul Township High School board members will consider entering into a purchasing cooperative. In Paxton, the Ford County Board will consider several county farm leases and approve agreements for law enforcement services with multiple communities in the county. In Gibson City, leaders there are expected to establish a drainage task force and discuss roof issues at city hall. In Gilman tonight, leaders are expected to approve video gaming license renewals and consider a pair of engineering agreements for sewer projects.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Frederick Community Bank of Paxton and Cissna Park. The two local financial institutions have been a part of both communities since 1908. Frederick Community Bank President Justin Swan says the two facilities have always been in the same holding company and the recent merger was the next step to provide the best in local banking…
Swan says being a local business and active in the communities they serve is a source of pride for the bank and their employees…
Frederick Community Bank President Justin Swan
The Frederick Community Bank of Paxton and Cissna Park is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
(Springfield-jm) – With large crowds expected to converge on Southern Illinois to experience the total solar eclipse today, the Illinois Department of Public Health is offering suggestions on how to view the eclipse safely. IDPH is reminding the public about potential dangers associated with the eclipse. They said attempting to directly observe the eclipse without eye protection could cause permanent damage. People across a wide swath of Southern Illinois will be in total darkness for just over four minutes. It will be the last total eclipse over the United States until 2045.
(Springfield-jm) – With the announcement last week of the closing of the Quaker Oats facility in Danville, State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville took to the House floor to ask his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to keep the families affected by the closing in their prayers…
State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville.
(Paxton-jm) – Progress continues on the new playground at Pells Park in Paxton. The new equipment was delivered a week ago today and crews began installing it soon after. The city expects it’ll take around 10 days before installation is complete.
(Kankakee-jm) – The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences has awarded the Kankakee Community College Medical Laboratory Technician associate degree program continued accreditation until 2029. Seeking accreditation is voluntary, but KCC’s program has been accredited by NAACLS since 1981. There are 240 accredited MLT programs in the U.S. and 10 in Illinois.
(Champaign-dm)-- Warming temperatures mean it’s time to fire up the grill. Experts say comfort food in moderation is okay, but you should strike a balance between tasty and healthy. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more from a Danville expert.
(Undated-jm) – There are several meetings slated for around the area tonight. In Rantoul, Rantoul Township High School board members will consider entering into a purchasing cooperative. In Paxton, the Ford County Board will consider several county farm leases and approve agreements for law enforcement services with multiple communities in the county. In Gibson City, leaders there are expected to establish a drainage task force and discuss roof issues at city hall. In Gilman tonight, leaders are expected to approve video gaming license renewals and consider a pair of engineering agreements for sewer projects.
