(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers want to help you see all of the fees included in your utility bill. The House unanimously passed a bill to require the state to create an online portal detailing utility charges to consumers, separate from delivery and supply charges. The website should include the statutory authority for charges remitted to the state or retained by utility companies, the amount collected each year and a detailed accounting of how funds are spent. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill heading to the Illinois Senate could address growing frustration with digital coupons for grocery stores. Lawmakers originally hoped to require grocery stores with digital coupons to have a paper option easily accessible for customers. Their updated plan will require retailers to honor digital promotions through several redemption methods. Those include automatic or point of sale discounts, barcodes or quick response codes. Grocery stores violating this requirement could face lawsuits and fines under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act.

 

(USDA–dm)-4-H students from across the nation participate in an annual working conference - some creating presentations focused on solutions based on technology and artificial intelligence.  Rod Bain has the story.

   

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign firefighters battled a fire at an abandoned apartment complex Saturday. The fire happened at the unoccupied Champaign Park Apartments off Country Fair Drive. The apartments were slated to be demolished. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

 

(Kankakee-jc) –  The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for severe storms that impacted Kankakee and five other Illinois counties on March 10 and 11. The declaration allows homeowners, renters, businesses and some nonprofits to apply for low-interest loans for damages not covered by insurance. A statement from Governor  J.B. Pritzker’s office says the main outreach center  will be in Aroma Park.

 

(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man accused of shooting his girlfriend last year was deemed unfit to stand trial. 21 year old Noah Allen  was in court for a status hearing on whether he was fit for trial. Allen faces attempted murder and other charges in connection to the October 7th shooting of his girlfriend. He is due back in court May 7th.

 

(Springfield–jc)  88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur passed legislation out of the Illinois House this week that works to improve transparency in child abuse and neglect investigations conducted by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Reaction from the legislation coming from Representative Deering…

   

88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois Arts Council in partnership with the Office of the Governor  awarded more than 325  thousand dollars in grants for two dozen public art projects in the state. They will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. These grants are part of a broader statewide effort led by the Illinois America 250 Commission to celebrate the nation's historic anniversary. The Visit Champaign County Foundation and the city of Pontiac were each awarded a 15 thousand dollar grant. 

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  It’s new textbooks for the math department at Rantoul Township High School. The school board meets tonight on the subject. The board will also look at purchasing an activities bus and look to amend this year's budget. The Rantoul Township High School Board of Education meets at 6 tonight at the high school. 

 

(Chicago-jm) – A tangled political fight over whether Chicago’s public schools will hold classes on May Day is coming down to the wire, confusing tens of thousands of students and parents. The influential teachers union, an ally of Mayor Brandon Johnson, wants educators to participate in protests on May 1st, coinciding with worker’s rights rallies worldwide. However, the district’s new CEO has come out and said she has no plans to cancel class saying every minute students are in the classroom is vital. The school board could override her with a vote on April 23rd. The teachers union says they would use May 1st as a professional development day, swapping for one scheduled on June 5th. The union has filed a grievance over the matter.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Environmental advocates are rallying to support stronger protections for Illinois wetlands. House Bill 3596 would criminalize dumping dredged or fill material into state jurisdictional wetlands. Violators could face fines up to $10,000 per day. Advocates say federal changes have made state level protections more critical. One of those changes, includes a Supreme Court decision that ruled a wetland must consist of a continuous surface connection to navigable waters. A September report found that 72 percent of Illinois wetlands are no longer covered under the Clean Water Act and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources estimates roughly 90 percent of Illinois wetlands have already been lost.

 

(Springfield–dm)-Property taxes in Illinois has been a topic for discussion among legislators in Springfield.  106th District State State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emington says there is a lot of back and forth discussions as to why property taxes are so high.

   

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emington

 

(Paxton-jm) – No serious injuries were reported following a two vehicle accident in Paxton Saturday afternoon. It happened at the intersection of Center and Union.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Ford County leaders will look to hire a deputy coordinator when they meet tonight in Paxton. A look at the Ford County employee handbook and the next step to fill the county’s clerk and recorder position is also a topic for discussion. The Ford County Board meets at 6 tonight in the sheriff’s board room at the Ford County Jail in Paxton . 

 

(Hoopeston-jm) – Firefighters from several departments were called to a house in Hoopeston for a fire. Crews from Hoopeston, Wellington and Rossville responded to the fire on East Seminary Avenue. No injuries were reported.. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

 

(Chicago–jc)  – According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, Illinoisans paid an estimated $21.3 billion in lawsuit costs in 2022, or $4,281 per household. Tort costs in Wisconsin, Iowa, Kentucky and Indiana all came in under $3,000 per household, according to a Brattle Group study cited by the chamber. Missouri’s per-household cost was $3,387.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Paxton City leaders will decide what streets will be upgraded or repaired with motor fuel tax money when they meet in,  monthly session. Approving liquor licenses and a service agreement with the Vandevander company is also on the agenda. The Paxton City Council meets at 7 tonight on the second floor of city hall. 

 

(Kankakee–jc)  The 6th Annual “Brave, Bold and Believed” Art show continues its run at the Kankakee County Museum through May 2nd. The exhibit is free to attend and features the works by sexual violence survivors says Clove Alliance Executivve Director Tracy Noe Slah…

 

Clove Alliance Executive Director Tracy Noe Slah. The art show exhibit is available during normal Kankakee Library hours

 

(The Center Square) – A federal appeals court heard oral arguments last week as judges consider former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s appeal of his conviction on 10 counts of public corruption. The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals took the case under advisement on Thursday afternoon following a hearing at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. Madigan defense attorney Amy Saharia said the appellate court should reverse Madigan’s conviction because counts related to ComEd were too vague, and because the government failed to prove quid pro quo related to a state board seat.

 

(Loda–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Hart’s Greenhouse in rural Loda. Gene and Peggy Hart have operated the local business since 1978. They started with one greenhouse and now have a total of 13 greenhouses. Owner Gene Hart talks about the start of the business in 1978…

 

 

The 13 greenhouses filled with a wide variety of garden plants, flowers and more.  Owner Gene Hart says the business is a “passion” for his family and they also have the best customers…

 

Harts Greenhouse of rural Loda owner Gene Hart

They are open from 8am to 6pm daily through the Spring. 

Harts Greenhouse of rural Loda is the WPXN Business of the Day today. 

 

 

WPXN News notes…

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Lunch and Learn at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex on Tuesday, April 14th.

 

The 2025 Coaches versus Cancer Kickin Cancer Dinner and Auction hosted by University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Underwood will be held Wednesday, April 15th at Gordyville USA. Doors open at 5pm.

 

The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency will hold a health and resource fair on Thursday, April 16th from 11-2 at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. Call Beth Badger at 217-554-9122 for more information.

 

The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, April 16th from 4:30-6:30 pm. Dinner includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Cost is $11 for adults, $6 for kids 6-13. Deliveries available in town by calling 217-379-0349.

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Gibson Area Hospital on Friday, April 17th from 11:30-5:30.

 

The Gibson Area Hospital Foundation will hold their Glo Bingo fundraiser on Friday, April 17th at 6:30 pm at the Kruse Center. Tickets are $30 each.