(Paxton--jc) -- Ford County Crimestoppers is seeking information about windows being shot at in downtown Paxton. Officials now say the incident happened previously to the alarm going off at the Frederick Community Bank Plaza building in Paxton on Friday. Upon arrival, Paxton police found that several of the windows had been damaged with B-B- gun pellets. The damage to the building was estimated to be 1 thousand dollars.If you have any information on this crime, you are asked to call Ford County Crimestoppers at 217-784-4173. You do not have to give your name and you could receive a 1 thousand dollar reward.
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker plans to spend $29 million to help ensure all of the state's residents are counted in the upcoming Census, which could have broad implications for the state in terms of federal funding and representation in the U.S. Congress.He announced an executive order to help ensure an accurate count. He also blamed the state's flat income tax for Illinois’ declining population.Speaking Tuesday to the Forefront group in Chicago, Pritzker said an inaccurate Census count could have “truly dramatic consequences” for Illinois.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A newlywed Illinois prison guard has been charged with assault after his wife recorded a fight that ended with her being found dead at the bottom of a parking garage near the St. Louis stadium where the Cardinals play. Thirty-year-old Bradley Jenkins, of Taylorville, was charged this week with third-degree domestic assault. After his wife, 27-year-old Allissa Martin, was found dead over the weekend, police found her cellphone, its camera still recording.
CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge in central Illinois will continue vetting would-be jurors at the death penalty trial of a former University of Illinois student charged with killing a visiting Chinese scholar. Tuesday will be the second day of a process to pick a jury to hear evidence against Brendt Christensen. Prosecutors say he lured Yingying Zhang into his car in 2017 and later killed her.
(Springfield--ba) -- State lawmakers are expanding the state’s medical cannabis program. The program began in 2013 as a pilot venture and was set to expire next year. The legislature voted to make it permanent and to add more ailments marijuana can be used to treat. House G-O-P leader Jim Durkin says he initially had doubts, but was convinced after hearing the stories of people who benefited from medical marijuana.
Illinois House G-O-P leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs
(Rantoul--jc) What is the future of the four air hangers on the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. Village of Rantoul leaders put that on last nights agenda. The reason is that a Californica businessman has pulled out of his efforts to buy the properties. Local leaders say they are getting some interest in the 4 hangars and the aviation center. The subject was one in executive session and more on the subject is expected to continue this Spring and Summer
DECATUR, Ill. (AP) — Howard Buffett's foundation plans to build sober housing apartments as part of the $30 million drug treatment campus he's funding in the central Illinois city of Decatur. Buffett is the son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett and the former Macon County sheriff. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has pledged $2.8 million to build two 10-unit apartment buildings for the campus.
(Iroquois--ba) --The Iroquois County Relay for Life is this Friday, American Cancer Society Spokesperson Carrie Robinette says several different events are planned for the relay at Watseka High School.
Iroquois County Relay for Life Spokesperson Carrie Robinette
WPXN will be broadcasting live Friday at the Iroquois County Relay for Life. It’s summer fun tour stop number 2.
(Undated--jc) A popular medical official who passed away in May from a recent illness will be remembered at an open house memorial later this month. Family medicine practitioner Lisa Oakley will be remembered during the memorial set for Saturday June 15th from 1 until 4pm at the Fire Service Institute in Champaign. Oakley was part of the Paxton Clinic for over 25 years.
(Saybrook--jc) The event schedule for the Saybrook Stars and Stripes Festival has been announced. The annual parade steps off at noon. Carnival games begin at 1 on the 22nd. Craft vendors, kiddie tractor pull, Simon Sez game, Inflatables, and food hilite the day A beer garden opens at 1 and runs through 11pm at The Shed. A pie eating contest, cake walk and music by Seasonal Disorder are additional events. Fireworks are planned for dusk in Saybrook on the 22nd.
(Paxton--jc) Members of the Paxton Grand Ole Flag project are looking to a Flag Day launch date for their fundraising efforts. The plan is to place the giant flag on Paxton’s west side on Paxton Buckley Loda School property near Interstate 57. The group will be selling pathway bricks to help pay for the project. More information will be released on Flag Day.
(Springfield--ba)-The summer food service program provides healthy meals and snacks to low income children. The goal is to make sure kids don’t go hungry while they aren’t in school says the state board of education’s Megan Kuchner.
ISBE Principal Consultant Megan Kuchner
(Springfield--jc) -- When Governor J.B. Pritzker signs the various bills to enact the next state budget for Illinois, local school districts and public universities will be able to increase end-of-career employee pay up to 6 percent in one year without being required to pay the higher pension costs directly into the pension funds. The pension-spiking cap was lifted from last years’ 3 percent level to 6 percent.State Senator. Jim Oberweis said that will compound the state’s $136 billion unfunded pension liability. Teachers say it will help save their profession.
(Springfield--ba) -- Some new business reforms and expansion are set to take place in Illinois. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City stopped by the WPXN studios on Tuesday. Bennett says the impact that these plans will be positive for his district and the state of Illinois...
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett Republican from Gibson CIty
(Springfield--jc) -- Smoking in cars with kids could soon be illegal in Illinois.Smokers in Illinois are one signature away from not being able to light up with kids in their car. Lawmakers approved a plan to ban smoking in cars with kids during their last-minute push at the statehouse last week.State Senator Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, said the idea is to protect kids from secondhand smoke.
(Fisher--ba) -- Fisher’s Lucky Foot Festival is set for this Saturday. Lucky Foot Spokesperson Joe Wier says music will be a large part of the day…
Fisher Lucky Foot Festival Spokesperson Joe Wier
WPXN will be broadcasting live at the event from 10am until noon on Saturday. It’s Summer Fun Tour stop number 3.
(Rantoul-jc) 104th District State Representative Mike Marron will be meeting with constituents today in Rantoul. The local state representative will be at the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce office from 10 until 11-30 this morning.
(Kankakee--jc) -- Kankakee County officials are seeking the public’s help in finding a person who stole an American Flag at the Kankakee County Courthouse. The incident happened late night on May 29th. Anyone with information is asked to call Kankakee County Crimestoppers at 815-93207463.
(Melvin--jc) --Looking for something different to do this summer? Why not show off your talents by making an entry in the Ford County Fair. Whether your talent is in photography, cooking, art or gardening, the fair offers a number of exhibit classes you can enter for a chance to win a blue ribbon and prize money. Classes are offered for people of all ages including junior classes for kids through 18 years of age. There are even men only baking classes to enter. Livestock classes are also available.
SPRINGFIELD, IL, - Ford County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of One, according to David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment equalization factor, often called the "multiplier", is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.
