(Springfield-jm) – A bill moving in the Capitol could increase awareness of agriculture education programs. The Illinois State Board would be required to submit a report on the status and availability of ag education programs before March 1, 2027. The report would include trends, challenges, opportunities for expansion and recommendations to best align education with workforce and post secondary options in agriculture and agribusiness.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Democrats passed a proposal Thursday to help lower homeowner and auto insurance rates. The proposal would require insurance companies to give homeowners at least 60 days notice before nonrenewal, changes in coverage and premium increases over 10%. Insurers could also have to use state-specific data to set rates for homeowners. The Illinois Department of Insurance would be responsible for ensuring auto rates are not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. The Department of Insurance would also be able to review filings, issue orders and require rebates if the rates are found unfair. Illinois Republicans believe the changes could force insurance companies to leave the state. The Illinois Insurance Association says the plan will likely raise premiums, reduce consumer choice and destabilize the state’s insurance market.
(Gibson City–dm)-CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocates is expanding into Ford County. CASA is looking for volunteers to be advocates for children living in foster care in the area. Volunteer Recruiter and Trainer Paige Malloy tells us about an informational meeting on March 25th.
Volunteer Recruiter and Trainer Paige Malloy.
(Champaign County-jm) – One person was taken to the hospital after a motorcycle crash on I–74 in Champaign County yesterday. It happened just before 5 pm in the eastbound lanes of I–74 near mile marker 182. One person was taken to the hospital with injuries although state police did not know the extent of those injuries.
(Bloomington-jm) – State Farm announced Thursday that it will consolidate all 13,000 Bloomington-based workers into its Corporate South campus. According to State Farm, workers will be moved from Corporate Headquarters and the Illinois Operations Center to Corporate South by the end of 2027. State Farm CEO Jon Farney said in the release the company is unsure what will happen to those facilities but they have too much office space in Bloomington.
(Ford/Iroquois–dm)-The Ford-Iroquois 4-H has announced the availability of two types of scholarships this year. One type of scholarship is designated for students enrolling in college or junior college, while the second is intended for those attending a trade school. Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Duble tells us where you can get a scholarship application.
Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Duble
(The Center Square) – A bill requiring anyone operating a powerful motorboat or personal watercraft to carry liability insurance passed the State Senate Transportation Committee recently. If passed into law, the new rule would impact a significant number of boat owners in Illinois. Senate Bill 2972 mandates liability insurance for owners of certain watercraft in Illinois. The rule would apply to boats with engines more than 50 horsepower, any boats longer than 21 feet, and all jet skis.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Republican Senate Minority Leader John Curran is at the forefront in pushing legislation crafted to bring the state in compliance with a recent Supreme Court decision protecting homeowners from losing equity in their homes for unpaid property taxes. With Illinois now the only state in the country where residents face such consequences, Curran argues there’s little surprise recent data points to rising property taxes as the top reason for the state’s ongoing outmigration struggles. Formally filed by Republican Sen. Ericka Harriss, Senate Bill 3782 seeks to reform the system by creating a task force to analyze property tax foreclosures, ultimately shielding homeowners from losing the wealth they’ve worked to build in their properties in accordance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision rendering such practices unconstitutional when the debt owed on the home is lower than the equity in it.
(Normal-jm) – Uber and Rivian have announced a partnership to help accelerate the plans for autonomous vehicles for both companies. Uber will invest up to $1.25 billion in the electric automaker through 2031. Rivian and Uber are expected to deploy 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis in the first phase, expanding to 25 cities by 2031. There is an option for 40,000 more autonomous robotaxis that would be available beginning in 2030.
(Undated-jm) — Runners are invited to take part in a tour across the state of Illinois with the I-74 Challenge. The challenge is to launch a new partnership between the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, the Steamboat Classic and the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon. Runners can compete each of those races in a calendar year for an additional finisher award, a commemorative coaster featuring the challenge logo. There is no additional cost to take part in the I-74 Challenge.
(USDA–dm)-What are some considerations for property owners regarding care of their lawns in the Spring and throughout the year? Rod Bain has these suggestions.
(Champaign-jm) – No charges will be filed against a University of Illinois police officer following a domestic battery call Sunday. Joseph Cassidy was arrested by Champaign Police and the case turned over to the state’s attorney’s office who declined to file charges. They say the alleged victim declined prosecution and did not provide enough information for charges to be filed.
(Illinois–dm)-The Better Business Bureau is warning that recent snowstorms and warmer weather will increase the number of fraudulent schemes tied to home repairs, storm damage, and door-to-door sales. The group says before hiring a contractor, consumers should research businesses at their website BBB.org.
(Champaign–dm)-Birth to Five Illinois'mission is to improve early childhood education and care for all children. Birth to Five Regional Council Manager Jill Duden has more information.
Birth to Five Regional Council Manager Jill Duden. For more information you can call 309-866-3103
(The Center Square) – Opponents of abortion are rallying at the Illinois State Capitol. Illinois Right to Life, a group opposing abortion, said buses arrived in Springfield on Thursday morning for the Illinois Pro-Life March. The rally began at 1 p.m.. The march began at 2 p.m. The group said they have a window before May 5 to stop a possible constitutional amendment they say could lock abortion into Illinois law for a generation.
(Illinois–dm)-The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for the severe storms and flooding that impacted six counties in northeastern Illinois in August. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security announced the approval, which allows affected homeowners, renters, businesses and certain non-profit organizations to apply for low-interest loans to cover damages not covered by insurance.
(Cissna Park–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Outdoor Pro Fine Living in Cissna Park. The local company offers U S A Made furniture, where Amish skilled craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology. Production is done locally and supports American jobs. Outdoor Pro Fine Living Manager Jasmine Tapp says they are having a Spring sale, that starts today…
She talks about how the state of the art furniture is made…
Outdoor Pro Fine Living of Cissna Park Manager Jasmine Tapp.
The store is located along Route 49 in downtown Cissna Park. Outdoor Pro Fine Living of Cissna Park is the WPXN Business of the Day, today
We will have more about Outdoor Pro Fine Living on all newscasts today and with an interview during our noon news.
WPXN Newsnotes…
The Onarga American Legion will hold their fish fry on Friday, March 20th from 4:30-7 pm at the Legion Hall at Durham Park.
The Feudin Hillbillys will perform at The Cadillac in Paxton on Friday, March 20th at 8pm.
The Onarga American Legion will hold a breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 21st from 8-11 am at Durham Park. Following the breakfast will be an easter egg hunt at 11 am.
The Paxton Carnegie Library will hold a 4-H reading and art hour on Monday, March 23rd from 4-5 pm.
Birth to Five Illinois will hold a Community Conversation at the St. Joseph Township Swearingen Memorial Library in St. Joseph on Monday, March 23rd from 6-7:30pm.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Paxton First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 24th from 12:30-5:30 pm.
The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday, March 28th from 9-2.
