(Fisher-jm) – A portion of Route 47 near Fisher was closed overnight following a serious crash. Illinois State Police said the accident happened a half mile north of U-S 136.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is touting the state’s third credit rating upgrade in two decades. After years of bottom of the barrel bond ratings, Moody’s Investor Service is bumping up Illinois again. Moody’s cites solid tax revenue growth, paying off the bill backlog and increasing pension contributions. This is good news, says the Governor…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says there is more work to be done but that the state is steadily climbing out of its fiscal hole.
(Springfield-jm) – If recently filed campaign finance records are any indication, it is going to be a costly gubernatorial race. In the first three months of the year, both incumbent Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker and Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin spent about $10 million on advertising. Two of Irvin’s rivals for the Republican nomination also spent significant money during the period. Venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan has spent $1.5 million on advertising and state Senator Darren Bailey has spent $400,000. The primary election is just over two months away.
(Springfield-jm) – Although there isn’t a mandate anymore, Governor J-B Pritzker says go ahead and mask up if that makes you feel more comfortable. The Governor says he carries a mask in his pocket just in case and notes that some people may still want to wear one as a precaution…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker lifted the mask mandate for public transit this past week and the indoor requirement ended February 28th.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were called to a two-car crash on Thursday afternoon where one rolled over. It happened around 4 p.m. near North Prospect Avenue and West Washington Street. Two cars appeared to be involved. A van was seen on its roof. There is no word yet on if anyone was hurt or what caused the crash.
(Roberts-tr) – The village of Roberts is currently facing a series of water issues. Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughan says 132 out of 175 water meters are in need of repair…
Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughan
(Rantoul–jc) – St Malachy School in Rantoul is the WPXN Business of the Day today. The school was started in 1914 says Pastor Joel Phelps…
St Malachy School Pastor Joel Phelps
You can hear more about the Annual Spring Auction at St Malachy’s on later newscasts today and with an interview over the noon news today.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man has been sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison on multiple charges. Eric Cole pleaded guilty in March to domestic battery and possessing a firearm as a felon. He could be released early for good behavior.
(Paxton–jc) The City of Paxton Park District pool is set to open later this year. Fundraising efforts and community support led the local park district board to that positive outcome for the city. Save the Pool Spokesperson Tessa Pilcher says a work day is planned for tomorrow at the pool, and volunteers are needed…
Save the Pool Spokesperson Tessa Pilcher.
If you want to volunteer, call the park district today or Saturday morning.
(Rantoul-jm) – The head of the Rantoul City School board resigned at last night's meeting. Andy Graham resigned effective immediately after some people claimed his role as a village employee and township supervisor created a conflict of interest.
(Thomasboro-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is searching for three suspects involved in a home invasion early Thursday morning. Deputies were called around 1:13 a.m. to the 700 block of Ackerman Drive in Thomasboro for the reported home invasion. The caller said three people forced their way into the home and fired multiple shots while inside. A 22-year-old man was injured by the gunfire.
(Springfield-jm) – Unemployment rates were down and jobs were up in most Illinois metro areas last month. All but Rockford saw the jobless rate drop compared to year ago levels says State Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards…
State Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards. 13 out of 14 metro areas saw jobs increase compared to March of last year, with Chicago and the suburbs making the biggest gains followed by Bloomington and the Quad Cities.
(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Jesse White’s office encourages the public to honor Earth Day by signing up for electronic license plate sticker reminders. More than three and a half million vehicle owners have already opted to go paperless, says Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt…
Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt. Haupt says it’s easy to sign up for electronic notices by visiting: il sos dot gov and clicking on email license plates renewal on the main page. You’ll need your vehicle registration ID and pin, which can be found on your current registration card.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man was found guilty on Thursday of murdering his girlfriend in 2020. Antoine Craig is accused of murdering 34-year-old Tenesha Jenkins, whom he was dating at the time. Investigators said Jenkins was smothered and she had cuts on her face and head. There was also evidence of defensive wounds. Jenkins was found after police were for a welfare check requested by one of her friends. When investigators arrived, they noticed a man running out the back door. They also noticed her front door was kicked in. Witnesses reported that Craig talked about a fight with his girlfriend. Craig was found guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday. Craig is set to be sentenced on June 8, 2022.
(Springfield-jm) – Republican lawmakers are speaking out over the state’s new record setting budget. Governor J-B Pritzker signed the over $45 billion state budget earlier this week that goes into effect July 1st. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says it doesn’t fix any long term issues the state has…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Champaign-jm) – University of Illinois researchers and the Champaign Urbana Public Health District are warning about an increase in the Omicron subvariant in the area. They say they have seen an increase in the BA.2 omicron subvariant in wastewater tested in the Champaign Urbana area.
(Rantoul–jc) – St Malachy’s School in Rantoul is the WPXN Business of the Day today. School Pastor Joel Phelps says the school provides a Christian education for pre-school through 8th grade…
St Malachy School of Rantoul Pastor Joel Phelps.
The school is in the process of planning their annual Spring Auction. That event is set for April 30th at the school. More information is found by calling the school at 217-892-2011. We will have more with Pastor Phelps on later newscasts
The Onarga American Legion will host a fish fry tonight from 4:30-7 at the Legion Hall at Durham Park.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Master Gardeners on Saturday from 10-2.
The Paxton Church of Christ will hold an open house honoring Pastor Tom Anders who is retiring on Sunday from 1:30-3.
