(Springfield-jm) – The SAFE-T Act is again making headlines in Illinois with the pretrial release of an individual accused of being under the influence and crashing his vehicle into a sheriff’s deputy's vehicle, killing her. State Rep. Dennis Tipsword who also serves as the Woodford county chief deputy sheriff, said what Nathan Sweeney 44, who was apprehended following the death of Dekalb County deputy Christina Musil, did was on the list of detainable offenses. Sweeney, however, was released with the judge citing the SAFE-T Act. Sweeney was allegedly on cocaine, fentanyl and morphine when crashing into the deputy’s car and ultimately ending her life, authorities said. Tipsword said the release was likely due to the prosecution not being able to prove that Sweeney was either a danger to society or a flight risk. State Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago, said he's glad Republicans have created the working group called Truth in Public Safety.
(Springfield-jm) – Marijuana and hemp both contain the chemical THC. But in Illinois only products made from marijuana are regulated. Now, some state lawmakers are looking to change that. Capitol News Illinois reports a bill in the Illinois legislature would create regulations for hemp products and prohibit the sale of products that have synthetic THC,, like delta-8, until they can be studied more. Experts say because there are no regulations on hemp consumer goods, products that have hemp-derived THC can be made to look like chips and candy and marketed toward kids. Tiffany Chappell Ingram is the executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois and says these products have started showing up more and more in corner stores and gas stations in recent years, causing confusion for consumers…
Cannabis Business Association of Illinois Executive Director Tiffany Chappel Ingram. A similar bill being discussed in the statehouse would regulate and tax delta-8, but while Ingram appreciates the work, she says it doesn’t go far enough. She says there needs to be a pause in sales, so that a committee of scientists can study the products and make sure they’re safe.
(Champaign-jm) – One person was airlifted to the hospital following a house fire in Champaign Thursday. The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a single-family home in the 1300 block of Joanne Lane, Thursday at 3:02 p.m. On scene, fire crews reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence. The occupant was outside at the time the Fire Department arrived, suffering from serious burns. A neighboring home sustained damage from the heat of the fire.
(Rantoul–jc) – Village of Rantoul officials are going ahead with demolition of a downtown building that collapsed on Easter Sunday. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the building was purchased by the village earlier this year and now the demolition process is continuing…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith. Village leaders are also looking at several other older buildings within village limits that need repair or demolition.
(Champaign County-jm) – Serious allegations have been made against the Champaign County Auditor after months of complaints by his staff and a forensic audit of his computer. WAND obtained documents of filed HR complaints from staff accusing auditor George Danos of having inappropriate images on his work computer, undressing in front of staff and berating and cursing at staff members. Investigators also accused Danos of misusing county resources for personal and political reasons, and rarely finishing work required in his job description. A forensic IT report of Danos' computer found there was no pornographic material, but multiple nude images.
(Paxton–dm)-- If you’re doing your spring cleaning, don’t forget your closets. Scott Allen from Paxton Hardware and Rental has these tips to help organize your closets
Scott Allen from Paxton Hardware and Rental. You can hear more from Scott Saturday morning at 7:30 on Scott’s Tips for Success.
(Washington-jm) – Price prospects for several major crops are not improving--in fact, just the opposite. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is R-G-K Lawncare of Paxton. Ross and Grant Kleinsteiber can help with everything from mowing to snow removal. R-G-K’s Ross Kleinsteiber talks about services available for homes and businesses…
R-G-K Lawncare co-owner Ross Kleinsteiber
R-G-K’s co-owner Grant Kleinsteiber talks about the areas they serve…
R-G-K Lawncare co-owner Grant Kleinsteiber
Call them at 309-533-3215.
R-G-K Lawncare of Paxton, the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
(Springfield-jm) – The conflict over how to address getting rid of Illinois’ 1% grocery tax continues with Republicans saying their plan should be considered. In 2022, as a way to address high inflation, the legislature zeroed out the 1% grocery tax for 12 months. This year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to get rid of it altogether, but local governments say that could mean a $375 million hit. State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, said the governor and Democrats were concerned in 2022 about how to backfill the lost revenue to local governments. DeWitte said the governor and Democrats are ignoring his bill to make up for the lost local revenue with their withheld share of the state’s income tax through the Local Government Distributive Fund. Legislators have until the end of May to pass a spending plan, including deciding what to do with the grocery tax.
(Springfield-jm) – After 8 weeks, more than 285 entries and more than 300 thousand votes, Illinois has named the 2024 coolest thing made in Illinois. Capital News Illinois reports Komatsu mining truck won this year’s Makers Madness competition hosted by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. Governor J-B Pritzker joined Komatsu leaders for the awards ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield. Dan Funcannon with Komatsu says they are proud and honored to receive the award…
Dan Funcannon with Komatsu. The truck is built in Peoria and uses its large carry capacity for construction and mining. The Komatsu mining truck is the 5th winner of the Makers Madness contest and joins previous winners like the Rosenberg Moon Habitat and Rivian’s Electric Truck as the coolest things made in Illinois.
(Carbondale-jm) – The Southern Illinois University System will not increase undergraduate tuition rates at its Edwardsville and Carbondale campuses in the 2024-2025 school year. The SIU Board of Trustees voted to freeze undergraduate tuition rates at its meeting in Carbondale Thursday. SIU Carbondale has not raised the undergraduate tuition rate in seven years. SIU Edwardsville’s undergrad tuition rate has had two small increases since 2019.
(Paxton–jc) The East Central Illinois Action Agency is hosting a free walk through Health fair today in Paxton. The event is set for 11am through 2pm at Veterans Square in the downtown area of Paxton. East Central Illinois Action Agency C-E-O Odette Hyatt-Lawson says over 22 businesses and services will be there…
East Central Illinois Action Agency C-E-O Odette Hyatt-Watson. One group that will be in attendance today is O-S-F Healthcare. Spokesperson Leslie Ingold says they will offer information for on-call services and information on stroke prevention and care…
O-S-F Healthcare Spokesperson Leslie Ingold.
(Champaign-jm) – Two men have been sentenced to prison for the 2014 murder of Rashidi Overstreet. Peter Campbell, 46, and Joseph Hart ,36, both of Champaign were sentenced this week for their roles in the fatal shooting. Campbell was found guilty of First Degree Murder, he was sentenced to 25 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. While Hart was found guilty of Murder/Intent To Kill/Injure, he was sentenced to incarceration of 30 years.
(Rantoul–jc) You can support Christian Education in East Central Illinois on Saturday in Rantoul. The 20-24 Run for the Roses event is set to raise money for St Malachy School. The doors open at 5pm on Saturday, a dinner at 6pm. A live auction is also part of the event. Proceeds from the event help with school expenses for St Malachy School of Rantoul.
(Washington-jm) – What impacts did USDA's March grains and rice stocks reports have when April's domestic supply and demand estimate was issued Thursday? Rod Bain reports…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Parkland College Theatre hosts their presentation of Little Shop of Horrors tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available online at tickets dot parkland dot edu.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold their foodmobile in northern Champaign County today from 9-10 am at the Fountain Valley mobile home basketball court and from 10:30-11 am at the Ludlow Community Center.
Paxton Buckley Loda Choir’s spring musical performance of Once Upon a Mattress will take place tonight at 7pm, Saturday, April 13th at 7pm and Sunday, April 13th at 2pm. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for students.
The Onarga Lions Club will hold a pancake and sausage breakfast at Nexus in Onarga on Saturday from 7-11 am. Cost is $10 in advance or $12 at the door and kids 9 and under are $6 in advance or $7 at the door.
The Paxton Swine n Dine committee will host bar stool golf on Saturday from 11-6 in downtown Paxton. Teams of 4 can register for $140.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Loda Fireworks on Saturday from 10-2.
A pork chop dinner benefiting the Hazel Walder Family will take place on Saturday from 11-5 at the Cissna Park Firehouse. The dinner is dine in or carry out.
The Fisher FFA will host a dinner Saturday from 4:30-7pm in the high school cafeteria. Dinner includes BBQ pulled pork or roasted chicken thigh, potato salad and cole slaw. Free will donations.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Revel in Red on Saturday. Doors open at 6 with the concert beginning at 8.
The Saybrook Stars and Stripes Bicentennial Committee will have a breakfast fundraiser on Sunday from 8-11 am at the Saybrook American Legion.
