(Undated-jm) – Most Central Illinois drivers won’t see gas under $4 per gallon following another week of rising prices. GasBuddy said the average price of gas rose by 10 cents $4.27 to $4.37 and nationwide, the average price of regular gas stayed even at $4.07. National diesel prices rose by four cents, $5.58 to $5.62. Oil hovers just under $100, though US stocks hold steady on hopes for US-Iran talks
The $4.23 regular average is 52 cents higher than it was one month ago and $1.24 higher than the start of the conflict in Iran at the end of February.
(Springfield-jm) — Illinois House Democrats passed legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public universities. This comes several months after the Trump Administration filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking the state from lowering the cost of college for undocumented immigrants. House Bill 5093 would require university boards to treat undocumented students as Illinois residents if they attended a public or private high school in the state and graduated from the high school or received a GED. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
(Springfield–jc) One measure to put serial numbers on ammunition has failed in Springfield. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington says the proposal did Not make it out of a house committee last week…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is still investigating an attempted retail theft that happened last summer. Crime Stoppers is seeking the public’s help. The incident occurred on July 14th last year at the Prospect Avenue Walmart store. Store officials said a man filled a cart with merchandise, scanned and bagged all of the items and then pretended to make a payment before trying to leave. He was confronted by Wal mart staff and fled the scene. The merchandise added up to almost $900 in value. The suspect, recorded on store surveillance cameras, appeared to be a white man, approximately 35 to 40 years old, with a beard and several arm tattoos. He was wearing a blue and white Kimes Ranch ballcap, a black and green shirt and black pants. Anyone with information about this or any other crime are ask to call Champaign County Crimestoppers.
(Danville–jc) The Reverend Frank McCullough of Danville will officially announce his campaign for Mayor of Danville this coming Monday at the 3 Kings of Peace Mentoring Center. in Danville. McCullough is a lifelong resident of the city, Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church, first vice president of the Danville NAACP, U.S. Army veteran, and co-founder of 3 Kings of Peace. McCullough says he is running because he cares deeply about Danville and wants to serve the people of this city.
(Thawville–jc) It’s been done 53 times before and on Saturday it is number 54. The 54th annual Thawville Community Sale takes place on Saturday in the village says spokesperson Becky Warlow…
Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow.
(Rantoul-jm) — Rantoul City Schools and the University of Illinois College of Education are partnering to host a Family Math Fun Night. The event will be held at Broadmeadow Elementary on Monday, April 20th from 5:30-7pm and is open to all Broadmeadow Elementary families.
(Roberts–dm)-The Mennonite College of Nursing at ISU along with Jeremiah
33:6 will be sponsoring a free produce pantry and Health fair. Founder of Jeremiah 33:6 Valarie Wright has the details.
Founder of Jeremiah 33:6 Valarie Wright. Parking at the Roberts gym is free, and all are welcome regardless of income
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois workers involved in a labor dispute could soon be eligible for unemployment benefits. State Representative, Dave Vella, Democrat from Loves Park, says his proposal is a minor change to the Unemployment Insurance Act that limits how long workers are disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits during a labor dispute-related work stoppage. The measure covers all work stoppages after two weeks. Opponents include the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and associations representing manufacturers, retail merchants, construction, trucking and transportation builders. An Illinois House committee is scheduled to consider an amended version of the bill on Wednesday.
(Springfield-jm) – With the cost of e-books rising across the state, some Illinois lawmakers are working to prevent publishers from putting unfair restrictions on libraries. House Bill 5236, also known as the Digital Protection Act, is stopping publishers of e-books and audio books from limiting a library’s ability to determine loan periods. It also prevents retailers from charging libraries more than the public for the same item, and limiting the number of e-book software licenses a library can get.
(USDA–dm)-The USDA agency overseeing the nation's federal crop insurance celebration celebrates an anniversary this month. Rod Bain has the story
(East St Louis–jc) –A two-day crime suppression detail in St. Clair and Madison counties last week led to 20 arrests, 42 criminal charges and 12 firearms seized. Illinois State Police say the effort was focused on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities last week.
(Melvin–jc) The Ford County Fair Queen pageant is organizing for the 20-26 Fair in Melvin. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Hoopeston-jm) — A Hoopeston man has been arrested on arson charges following a house fire. Crews were called to a vacant home on fire near 4th and Seminary. An investigation revealed the cause to be arson. 34 year old Skylar Cannon was arrested in connection to the fire.
(Chicago–jc) – According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107 Southwest Airlines workers will be losing their jobs at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. The notice follows Southwest’s announcement last month that it would no longer operate at O’Hare. The airline continues to serve Chicago at Midway Airport.
(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City Restoration Association will be sponsoring a Sip and Shop Wine Hop on Saturday May 2nd. Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavilin tells us how you can purchase tickets.
Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavilin.
(Cullom–jc) Tri Point District School board members are expected to approve a bid for district network equipment when they meet on Wednesday in Kempton.
Approving the consolidated districts plan and setting monthly meeting hours are also agenda items. The Tri Point Board of Education is set to meet at 6-30pm on Wednesday in Kempton
(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois State Board of Education wants almost 11 Billion dollars in state funds for the 2027 fiscal year, saying it wants to continue efforts to better fund public school districts in order to provide better outcomes for Illinois students. According to department leadership, the request is an increase from current year funding, but it would be partly offset by a transfer in oversight for some grants to the new Department of Early Childhood. The increase in funding requested is roughly 470 million more than the previous year.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Park District is set to meet tonight at the park district building at 5-30pm Among the agenda items is to seek to fill a vacancy on the board. Those interested may contact the park district office or attend tonight’s meeting.
(Rantoul–jc) Rantoul Village Leaders are expected to approve a construction contract with Grunlo Building Incorporated in the amount of just over 8 million 103 thousand dollars when they meet tonight in monthly session . Buying steel poles for the Rantoul electric department and purchasing an aviation fuel system for the airport are also agenda items. The Rantoul Village Board meets at 6 tonight in the village board meeting room
(Cissna Park–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is In the Nick of Time, located in downtown Cissna Park. Owner Nick Osborn and crew have a large showroom filled with a wide variety of major name brand appliances ready for delivery. In the Nick of Time Owner Nick Osborn talks about how the store got its name…
Osborn says they have an appliance service special going on right now……
In the Nick of Time Store Owner Nick Osborn
The store is open 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday in downtown Cissna Park. In the Nick of Time does air conditioning, H-Vac to Duct Cleaning and more.
In the Nick of Time, the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News notes…
The Thawville Community Sale will take place on Saturday, April 18th starting at 10 am.
The Champaign County Forest Preserve will hold an International Dark Sky Week Celebration on Saturday, April 18th from 7-10:30 pm at Middlefork Forest Preserve.
The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will hold their Spring Fling Fundraiser on Thursday, April 23rd from 5-8 pm at the Knights of Columbus in Rantoul. Activities include dinner, live music, 50/50 and meat raffle and a dessert auction. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased by calling the Community Service Center.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Lunch and Learn at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex on Tuesday, April 14th.
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.
