(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers that the upcoming deadline is quickly approaching for filing 2023 state individual income tax returns. The agency has been collecting and processing returns since the 2024 tax season officially began on January 29, and the deadline is Monday, April 15. If a taxpayer electronically files an error-free return, they should receive a direct deposit refund in approximately four weeks. In 2023, the agency received a total of nearly 6.2 million IL-1040 returns. Of those returns received, close to 5.6 million were filed electronically, or just over 90%.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Firefighters from several area departments battled a fire at the IFF soybean plant in Gibson City Monday afternoon. Crews got the call around 12:30. They battled the blaze for nearly 7 hours. The fire is believed to have started in the dryer. No damage estimates were provided

 

(Washington-jm) – New numbers show U.S. agricultural exports still trailing last year. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a retail theft. On February 17th at approximately 11 a.m., a male entered Dick’s House of Sport. The male selected two pairs of Nike Air Force 1 shoes, numerous Nike hoodies and sweatpants, and exited the store making no attempt to stop and make payment. The stolen merchandise was valued at over $1,350. The suspect appeared to be a black male wearing a black jacket with fur around the hood, a black hoodie and gray shirt.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Residents of the 106th District should watch their mailbox for a survey on legislative issues. The survey is put on by Representative Jason Bunting of Emington…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Watseka-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that the Union Pacific Railroad crossing at U.S. 24/Illinois 1 in Watseka will be closed beginning on Monday, April 22. The repairs are expected to take five days to complete. A posted detour will direct motorists to Illinois 1 and U.S. 52.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  When the Rantoul Village board meets tonight, they will look at a project to renovate the I-C-B-Missile that is located along route 45 on the village's west side. The site was an entry into the former Chanute Air Force Base. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says he formed a committee to look at the future of the historical artifact and they are recommending renovation…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith The village board meets at 6pm tonight in the boardroom on Tanner Street.  In addition to the Rantoul village board meeting tonight, the Paxton city council will also meet tonight where council members will consider motor fuel tax quotes for projects later this year, consider the purchase of an inspection camera for public works, consider establishing an ordinance pertaining to vacant buildings, consider some redevelopment agreements and also consider using TIF funds for sidewalks in the TIF district. The Paxton city council meeting is at 7 tonight.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Today’s Business of the Day is Paxton Mainstreet. The local civic group has seen several million dollars in improvements in various buildings in the city of Paxton and also help create and retain over 33 jobs based in Paxton. Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper says efforts with the main street program are on economic development along with historic preservation…

Pepper says the group not only looks at the downtown area of Paxton , but the whole city…

Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper.

Paxton Main Street is the WPXN Business of the Day, today. 

You can hear more about Paxton Main Street over the noon hour today.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers know there were 109 cardiac events involving Illinois students under 18 during 2022. School districts may soon be required to develop cardiac emergency response plans to help address the growing issue. The Illinois General Assembly has previously passed plans to require every school to have AEDs available on school property. However, House Bill 5394 would require school districts to work with local paramedics to create a plan in case there is a cardiac event. The cardiac emergency response plan would be available on every school website and in paper form throughout schools. Coaches and other athletic staff members would also have copies of the cardiac response plan.

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – Several fire departments across Ford and Iroquois Counties were called to a tool shed fire Monday evening. Crews were called to the fire at 852 north 1000 east in Iroquois County. There’s no word on the cause of the fire.

 

(Washington-jm) – Here's why dairy herd depopulation is not being advised for the current avian influenza outbreak in some dairy operations. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Crime Stoppers is hosting a document shred, prescription drop-off and cell phone recycling event for the local community. The event will take place on April 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. in University of Illinois’s E14 Parking Lot. The organization is collecting documents to be shredded by Triad Shredding. With a donation of $10, people can drop off up to two banker’s boxes full of documents.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Senate Republicans are calling for reforms on the Prisoner Review Board. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City is one of those pushing for reforms…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Danville-jm) – Danville Area Community College has exciting news for students. Beginning with the Fall semester, DACC is launching a pilot program called the “Provost’s Promise.” The DACC Board of Trustees approved the Provost’s Promise Program during the March 28 Board meeting, setting the stage for the official program roll-out this month. Starting this fall, any first-time, full-time student ready to commit to their education can join the Provost’s Promise program. This means no tuition or fees if they stick to the plan and graduate on time.

 

(Champaign-dm)--Is the gym too far away? Or are you not a people person? Cozy cardio, one of the latest fitness routines to trend on social media, might be for you. And it’s not just a winter thing. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.

 

 

Experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, spread out over several days. Spires says when defining “moderate intensity,” think about singing a song while working out. If the strain of the workout means you can’t sing without running out of breath, you’re at moderate intensity.