SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A central Illinois county state's attorney is leaving that job and is expected to become the area's interim chief federal prosecutor. Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser is resigning effective Tuesday from the position he's held since 2010. President Donald Trump nominated the Republican in August to become the U.S. attorney for the 46-county central district of Illinois but he's awaiting a Senate confirmation vote

 

(Chicago--jc)  --Illinois could have a new governor before a long-running labor dispute between Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration and the state's largest public union is sorted out.One labor analyst said that may be what the union wants.Rauner has secured contracts with more than a dozen unions since he took office in 2015. But he failed to reach a deal with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council 31 union.On Tuesday, an appellate court kicked the question of whether the state and the union had reached an impasse back to the state’s labor board. The labor board had previously found there was an impasse, something the union denies. If there is an impasse, Rauner would be able to impose new terms, which include reductions in health insurance benefits.Rauner’s office said it’s considering an appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.

 

(Fisher--jc)  Fisher village leaders are holding a public hearing on Monday concerning a permit to build a solar garden in town. The area is commonly known as the “Stalter property.” The request comes from a company called Novel Energy Solutions. The hearing takes place at 5 Monday afternoon at the Fisher Community Center. The full village board will meet immediately following the hearing to act on the recommendation.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Bicentennial organizers and the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs have named 200 military veterans to honor during the state's 200th birthday. Stuart Layne is executive director of the Bicentennial Commission. He says the "Bicentennial HONOR 200" recognition "is one of the most important commemorations" of the yearlong celebration. All the recipients have been invited to attend the state's official birthday celebration Dec. 3 at the United Center in Chicago.

 

 

(Undated--jc)  --When a newspaper closes or stops providing local content, it's bad news for the local community, according to an updated report. Since 2004, hundreds of local newspapers have closed up shop. The author of a report on this trend said areas without a local paper suffer in a variety of ways.A study by the Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Media at the University of North Carolina says newspapers have shuttered at a high rate since 2004, many of which happened shortly after the recession in 2008. lllinois lost 157 weekly papers since 2004, most located in suburban Chicago as many merged with larger daily publications like the Chicago Tribune. This is among the highest number of closings in the country.

 

(Loda--ab) Bond was set for an Iroquois County man accused of setting a fire in a downtown Loda business. Several fire departments were called to the  Owls Nest restaurant, along route 45 in Loda on Monday night. Police arrested 36 year old Ronald E. Campe the second of Loda. His bond was set at 100 thousand dollars and his next court appearance is set for November 13th. WPXN News will continue to update this story as more official news becomes available.

 

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  Rantoul police conducted an active shooter drill at Rantoul township High School. Students, Faculty and parents have been told about the event, which is required by Illinois law. Rantoul High school students were evacuated from the school to a safe area during the drill. Rantoul police along with Rantoul Fire Department volunteers and Champaign County emergency personnel are also using this mornings active-shooter drill to train. Rantoul police Department Lieutenant Justin Bouse says it is vitally important for the safety of the students.

 

 

Rantoul police Department Lieutenant Justin Bouse

 

 

(Cissna Park --dg)  -- The Cissna Park American Legion Auxiliary is hosting a vendor Bazaar on Saturday October 27th to support local veterans. The event runs from 9am til 3pm. Food served from 9am -2pm at the Cissna Park American Legion. Many Local and area vendors will be set up. Dave’s Old Settlers Fish, baked goodies and more will be available.

 

Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will be celebrating Oktoberfest Sunday October 28th at the Buckley American Legion. Dinner will be served from 4pm-6:30pm. Homemade German dishes will be served, including German Sausage Soup, German Meatballs, Schweinbraten, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, German Potato Salad, breads, desserts and more.

 

 

(Undated--ba) Holiday shoppers, Black Friday is 4 weeks away, and Cyber Monday will follow. What are the tendencies for shoppers this year? WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the details....

 

 

 

(Undated--jc) Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial minute…

 

 

OGLESBY — Governor  Bruce Rauner Thursday announced the state has acquired 2 thousand 629 acres of property in LaSalle County to protect natural resources and expand recreation opportunities, tourism and economic development near Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks. The governor says more than 3 million people visit Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks each year. They are among the most beautiful destinations in our state, and the expansion increases the amount of open spaces by more than 50 percent. The state acquired the land from Lone Star Industries Inc., which, along with its predecessor companies, has owned much of the property since the early 1900s.
 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- The Unemployment rate fell in most of the state’s metro areas last month. The state jobless rate was down in 12 of the 14 metro areas compared to year-ago levels says Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough…

 

 

Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough

Bloomington and Springfield saw a decrease in jobs last month compared to September of last year.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Officials are giving the “all clear,” after a brief lockdown at the state capitol in Springfield on Thursday. The lockdown was called after an unknown substance was found in a second floor bathroom Springfield Fire Chief Allen Reyne (‘Rye-nee) says the substance was deemed non-threatening…

 

 

Springfield Fire Chief Allen Reyne

 

 

(ILLINOIS--ba)  The Red Cross wants you to have a safe time trick or treating.  WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the story….

 

 

 

(GIBSON CITY--ba)-A euchre party sponsored by Chic Merdedith’s Ford County Relay for Life team is set for 6:30pm tonight at the Moyer District Library, located at 618 S. Sangamon- Avenue in Gibson City. There is a $10 entry fee, and snacks and water will be provided. To sign up,  call 217-784-5267.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is joining a number of other state treasurers in calling for Facebook CEO and Board Chairman Mark Zuckerberg to relinquish some of his control at the social media company. Frerichs and the other treasurers co-filed a shareholder proposal asking the company’s board of directors to make the role of board chair an independent position, meaning Zuckerberg would step down as board chairman, but continue in his role as CEO.

Frerichs says that Facebook may have been able to avoid some of the bad news over the past year and a half.

 

(PAXTON--ba)-- P.R.I.D.E. in Paxton . and The Paxton Christmas Committee are inviting various  groups, such as members of the Armed Forces, Businesses, marching units, bands, Christian and civic units, people with floats, antique vehicles, new cars,  and farm machinery to participate in this year’s annual Christmas parade. The parade will be held on Saturday, November 24th, 2018, at

1:30pm in downtown Paxton. For more info contact Teri Hancock at 217-379-4245. WPXN will be broadcasting the parade live on the 24th.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  One local church is hosting a trunk or treat event at the church on Wednesday. The Paxton Church of the Nazarene  is the venue for a Trunk-or-Treat event from 4:30 to 6 p.m on Halloween. The event takes place in the churches parking lot.