Listeners Club

Forgot Password

Not a Member? Sign up here!

WPXN Blog

Eavesdropping Charges Filed Against Urbana District 116's Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Instruction

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — Eavesdropping charges have been filed against a central Illinois schools administrator who allegedly intended to secretly record a closed session of the school board.  Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz alleged Thursday that Samuel Byndom used a device disguised as a pen to record an October 28th closed session of the school board. The 35-year-old Byndom is Urbana District 116's assistant superintendent of learning and instruction.

 

(Springfield--jc)  --Counties would have more flexibility with sales tax dollars meant for public safety under a bill that has been sent to the Illinois House. In counties were voters had previously approved tax hikes to fund public safety, the bill would give local officials the ability to use that revenue for other purposes, including to address mental health and substance abuse issues. Chief Senate sponsor Dave Syverson says amended House Bill 4560 clarifies how counties can use sales tax increases meant for public safety.Syverson adds the new version provides more options..The public safety money the bill frees up will allow counties to focus resources on a major driver of crime.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois General Assembly has convened to conclude the first week of its fall session. The House and Senate were in session Thursday to continue working through consideration of Gov. Bruce Rauner's vetoes of legislation from earlier in the year. It took up and voted to override vetoes of legislation to help immigrant victims of crime get visas to stay in the U.S. and to restrict tobacco sales to those 21 or older.

 

(Washington--jc)  What size turkey should you buy to feed your Thanksgiving guests? Gary Crawford has the details…

 

r

 

CHICAGO (AP) — The University of Illinois board has approved a $100,000 bonus to system President Tim Killeen for the third straight year. Board of Trustees members voted during Thursday's meeting in Chicago to award the performance bonus to Killeen. The university says that bonus gives Killeen a total compensation of $700,000 for this year, the same as last year.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- The Illinois Senate is overriding the governor’s veto of an immigration bill aimed at fighting human trafficking. The measure encourages illegal immigrants who are victims of a violent crime to report that incident. They could do this without fear of being deported. Human traffickers need to be stopped says Illinois Senate President John Cullerton…

 

 

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton

The Illinois House must also override the measure for it to become law.

 

(Urbana-jc)  -- A Champaign police officer will be honored for his duty to the village of Rantoul and Champaign County law enforcement.  A reception for Champaign County Chief Deputy Allen Jones is set for Tuesday afternoon. The event is for the Champaign County Sheriff’s office from 2pm to 4pm.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The city of Paxton Christmas parade steps off  at 1-30 in the afternoon on Saturday November 24th. The theme for this year’s parade is “Christmas Express in downtown Paxton.”Paxton Parade Spokesperson Teri Hancock says its a great way for the community to get together.

 

 

Paxton Parade Spokesperson Teri Hancock

Information about the parade is found by calling Paxton Pride Director Teri Hancock at 379-4245. WPXN will be broadcast the parade live on the 24th.


 

(Potomac--jc)  One Vermilion County town is set to decorate its utility poles. Officials in Potomac say individuals will adopt of pole to decorate starting on Thanksgiving. The Holiday decorations will remain on the poles through the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday.

 

 

(Undated--jc)-- The busiest travel day of the year is coming later this month as we head toward the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Companies Hopper and Insure-My-Trip have some tips on what airports and flights to avoid. The busy travel days are Wednesday  November 21st and Sunday November 25th around Thanksgiving. Chicago O’hare airport will be busiest at 6pm on Wednesday the 21st and the 3rd busiest airports are L-A-X in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Those traveling over the upcoming holiday are asked to be prepared for long lines and long waits at all airport. Over a million travelers will be flying out of  the airport over the Thanksgiving holiday period.

 

 

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

 

 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — For the first time this year, a monthly survey of bankers in parts of 10 Plains and Western states indicates the regional rural economy is shrinking.The overall index of the Rural Mainstreet survey for November sank to 49.9, the first time it's dipped below 50 since January and down from October's 54.3. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy in the months ahead, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the farm sector continues to be weakened by tariffs and low commodity prices.Bankers from 10 midwestern states, including Illinois, were surveyed for this report.

 

(Kankakee--jc)  -- An Illinois teen won't face felony eavesdropping charges for recording a talk with a school principal after prosecutors decided to drop the matter Thursday after the case got national attention .Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe dismissed the charges against 14-year-old Paul Boron. When Boron was 13, he was called into Manteno Middle School Principal David Conrad’s office. Boron told Conrad that he had been recording with his phone. The principal told Boron that he was committing a felony and ended the meeting. Two months later, Boron was charged with eavesdropping, which is a Class 4 felony in Illinois.

Again, those charges have been dropped

 

(Paxton--ba)

The annual Paxton tree lighting ceremony is one week from today. Pride in Paxton Director Teri Hancock has the details...

 

 

Pride in Paxton Director Teri Hancock  

 

(Illinois--ba)

With Democrats mostly in control of Illinois government, funding for certain programs could be cut. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the story.

 

 

(Undated--jc)  -- Hunters hitting the fields this weekend for firearm deer season are urged to take basic safety precautions. There were 19 hunting accidents reported last year in the state. Three were fatalities involving hunters falling from tree stand. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Ed Cross says safety harnesses are a must…

 

 

I-D-N-R Spokesperson Ed Cross

Cross says hunters are also advised to wear blaze orange while hunting

 

 

(Champaign--jc)  Champaign unit 4 teachers have filed an intent to strike notice. The local teachers union and school board have been meeting for several months to try and reach a new deal. The two sides have agreed to meet on Tuesday to try to hammer out a new contract. By filing the notice, teachers in the Unit 4 district could go on strike after Thanksgiving

 

 

(Woodworth--dg)  -- You are invited to attend a auction and meal fundraiser on Sunday in the Southern Iroquois County town of Woodworth. The  9th Annual Ford-Iroquois 4-H auction will take place Sunday November 18th at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Woodworth. A pork burger meal starts at 1:30 with the Auction starting at 2pm. Proceeds benefit 4-H groups in Ford and Iroquois counties.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- The state’s unemployment rate increased slightly last month to four point two percent. The October jobless rate rose a tenth of a point over September. Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough says the good news is that more than 10 thousand jobs were added in October in Illinois…

 

 

I-D-E-S Spokesperson Bob Gough

 

(Rantoul--jc)  A meet and greet with new Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower was a huge success. Dozens of local officials, dignitaries and citizens got to meet the new administrator at the municipal building on Thursday afternoon. Eisenhower has been getting acclimated to the new job for a couple of weeks.

 

 

(Gibson City--jc) A lighted Christmas parade is set for Gibson City tomorrow night.  The 24th annual event steps of around 6-30 from the County Market store along route 9 and moves to the downtown area. Stores will be open for the holidays and food and additional activities also hi-lite the event in Gibson City on Saturday.

 

 

(Champaign--jc)  Parkland College has a new peace officer She is Somphon "Sam" Penland. Penland has been with the local junior college just shy of 10 years. She was sworn into her new position at Parkland College trustee meeting this week.



 

Get our App

Facebook

On Air Now

Joe Bradley
Joe Bradley
11:00am - 2:00pm
Regular Programming

Listen on Alexa

Weather

Share This Website