(Springfield--jc) -- Two new laws are designed to help keep more college students in Illinois. One of the measure eases worries about map grants from year to year, giving returning eligible students priority says Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner…
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner
More on the second law that helps transfer credits on our next newscast this morning.
CHICAGO (AP) — An Illinois judge has been reprimanded for using his position to solicit paid speaking engagements from law enforcement groups, medical societies and hospitals. The Illinois Courts Commission said Monday it determined 4th District Appellate Judge Robert Steigmann of Urbana exploited his office and had improper financial dealings with people likely to come before his court. Steigmann said the speeches were his way of sharing his love of the law and denied he was biased toward groups that paid him
PLEASANT HILL VILLAGE, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's recent signing of bills to reduce the backlog of patients waiting for Medicaid approval won't save a small-town nursing home from closing next month. Pleasant Hill Village Administrator Maryann Walker tells the State Journal-Register that she's happy Rauner signed the two Senate bills earlier this month, but that they won't keep her Macoupin County skilled-care facility open.
MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (AP) — A new defense attorney for the man convicted in the 2014 death of a Southern Illinois University student has won a delay in his sentencing as he aims to have the conviction thrown out. A judge on Monday pushed back sentencing for 24-year-old Gaege Bethune of Eldorado, Illinois, until Sept. 17. He had been scheduled for sentencing Wednesday on first-degree murder for 19-year-old Pravin Varughese's (VAHR'-geez) death.
(Springfield--jc) Corn continues to progress ahead of schedule as we hear in the weekly crop report. 90 percent of corn is in the dough stage and 45 percent is denting. That’s well ahead of last year and the 5 year average says State Crop Statistician Brad Summa…
State Crop Statistician Brad Summa.
Summa says 90 percent of soybeans are setting pods and 73 percent of the crop is in good to excellent condition. Statewide topsoil moisture is 10 percent very short, 30 percent short, 59 percent adequate and one percent surplus.
(Springfield--jc) When the parade of champions happens today at the Illinois State fair, one local resident has an animal ready for the state’s top sale. Hunter Weber of Buckley’s hereford steer was named reserve grand champion Land of Lincoln steer at this year’s Illinois State Fair. At the parade of champions this afternoon, the steer will be sold in the Governor’s Sale of Champions. Proceeds from the sale to to the exhibitor, and towards youth in agriculture like 4-H and F-F-A.
(Paxton--jc) --Paxton City council members may accept the donation of property to the city on Shal-lee court near the Nelson Field ball diamonds. The Lee family owns a lot in the cal-de-sac and have proposed to donate the lot to the city. The property holds some bleachers and is used by spectators at ball games. The Paxton City Council is expected to approve the donation of property when they meet tonight in monthly session at 7 tonight on the second floor of city hall.
(Springfield--jc) The 20-18 Illinois State Fair has several food traditions. One is Culler’s Fries. Jim Cullers says they sell one popular product...fries in a cone with salt and vinegar…
Jim Cullers of Cullers Fries.
The Culler’s stand at the Illinois State Fair is in the same spot they have held for 73 years. The Illinois State Fair runs through Sunday in Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner signed bills Monday to increase Illinois seniors’ access to high-speed internet and provide more convenience with permanent identification cards. House Bill 5752 creates the Broadband Advisory Council to explore ways to expand broadband access, often called high-speed internet, throughout the state, including in unserved and underserved areas.
(Springfield--jc) Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial Minute…
(Paxton--jc) Accolade Healthcare in Paxton is closing one of its three buildings and residents will be moved to two other locations in the city. The building on north market is being shut down. A meeting between workers at the sites in Paxton and the management team for Accolade Health is set for today. More information about the merger into two sites in Paxton will be available later today. WPXN news will continue to update this story as more official news becomes available.
(Springfield--jc) In updating our story about two new laws to help keep college students in the state, the second new law gives students more flexibility towards a degree. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says credits will transfer easier under the new law…
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner
(Springfield--jc) -- Corn continues to progress ahead of schedule as we hear in the weekly crop report. 90 percent of corn is in the dough stage. State Crop Statistician Brad Summa says 90 percent of soybeans are setting pods…
State Crop Statistician Brad Summa
22 percent of sorghum is mature and the 3rd cutting of alfalfa is 70 percent complete.
(Paxton--jc) Paxton City Council members will look at closing streets for the annual Swine and Dine event when they meet tonight. The Swine and Dine event takes place on Saturday September 15th in the downtown area. Approving several groups to collect donations at street corners in the downtown area over the next several months is also a topic for local leaders. Those wanting to collect donations include the Faulkner toy drive and the Knights of Columbus. The Paxton City Council meets at 7 tonight on the second floor of city hall.
(Champaign--jc) Weather officials say an El-Nina could be coming this fall or winter. State Climatologist Jim Angel with the Illinois Water Survey in Champaign says that could mean a warmer fall or winter too…
State Climatologist Jim Angel with the Illinois Water Survey in Champaign
(Rantoul--jc) -- Rantoul village leaders are expected to approve a water main project on North Tanner street when they meet tonight in monthly session. The cost of the project is just under 80 thousand dollars. Also on the agenda tonight is a proposal to accept the three hangers on the former Chanute Air Force Base and a call center into the village. The Rantoul Village board comes to order at 6 tonight in the municipal building on Tanner Street.
(Springfield--jc) -- WPXN News is taking a look at the long time vendors at the Illinois State Fair. Another mainstay is Vose’s Corndogs. Owner Bob Vose says the lines may be long at the corn dog stand, but it’s worth the wait…
Vose’s Corndog Stand owner Bob Vose.
Vose started at the State Fair delivering ice in the 1940s. The Illinois State Fair runs through Sunday in Springfield.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College officials announced Monday that any interested persons wishing to run for a position on the Parkland Board of Trustees may pick up nominating petitions and related documents from Nancy Willamon in Room U336 at the Parkland College campus, 2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign, Illinois, during regular business hours beginning August 27th Petitions may NOT be circulated prior to Sept. 18th The term of incumbent trustee James Ayers, Bianca Truitt Green and Jonathan Westfield will expire in April 2019. These board openings will be for a six-year term on the ballot and said seats will expire in April 2025.
(Dewitt County--jc) Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan Monday announced a lawsuit against a DeWitt County trucking company following a diesel fuel spill that contaminated a pond and a nearby creek. Madigan’s office filed a lawsuit in DeWitt County Circuit Court against H&M Trucking Company, which specializes in transporting food products. Madigan’s lawsuit alleges that approximately 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled at H&M’s trucking terminal located in Clinton. Madigan says the fuel contaminated soil, a pond and a nearby creek. Human exposure to diesel fumes can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea and more severe symptoms like heart palpitations. According to Madigan’s lawsuit, diesel fuel began leaking from a storage tank at the terminal beginning around June 30. The leak went unreported, and fuel soaked into the ground on and around the site. The fuel covered the entire surface of the pond and killed vegetation in a two-foot perimeter around the pond, prompting the property owner to contact state authorities.
