(Springfield--jc) -- Today is speed awareness day in Illinois. It’s a day to remind the public to slow down. Lou Jogmen with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police says ignoring the speed limit has become all too common…
Lou Jogmen with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in Illinois.
The probability of death or serious injury in a crash doubles for every 10 miles per hour over 50 miles per hour. Illinois State Police are boosting the amount of patrols today for Speed Awareness Day in Illinois
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A southern Illinois Democrat says he will challenge Republican Congressman John Shimkus next fall and is conceding he has no chance of winning. John W. Hursey Jr. of Collinsville has filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run in the 15th Congressional District race as a Democrat. The district runs from Collinsville in the west to the Indiana state line in the east. The 61-year-old Shimkus has served in the House since 1997. He received 71 percent of the vote last year.
KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) — The Democratic chairman of an Illinois county is facing criticism for posting an image on social media comparing Make America Great Again hats worn by supporters of President Donald Trump to Ku Klux Klan hoods. Crain's Chicago Business reported the Kankakee County Democrats posted the image Friday.
CHICAGO (AP) — A lawyer for a former Northwestern University professor charged in the 2017 stabbing death of his boyfriend responded to a co-defendant's guilty plea with a vow to continue fighting the charges. The Chicago Tribune reports that Wyndham Lathem's attorney, Adam Sheppard, told reporters on Tuesday that Andrew Warren appears to be "shifting blame" and that he expected to attack Warren's credibility at trial.
CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed two laws aimed at protecting young immigrants, including those whose parents are deported. The governor says he disagrees with the Republicans on the issue…
Illinois Governor JB Prtizker.
One law extends the time a child can have a short-term guardian if their parents are detained or deported by federal immigration authorities. The other helps young immigrants seeking special visas as victims of abuse or neglect.
(Urbana--jc) --Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup has released the name of a Mahomet woman who was involved in a motor vehicle crash in rural Coles County, on Sunday. 25 year old Kayla L. Kelley was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana on Sunday morning as a result of traumatic injuries she received during the crash. Ms. Kelley was reportedly driving a Toyota Rav 4, when she lost control of her vehicle, causing it to roll over. She was ejected from the vehicle. No autopsy will be performed, although an inquest may be held at a later date. This death is being investigated by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police District 10.
(Urbana--jc) -- It’s Livestock Day today at the Champaign County Fair. The Junior Swine starts the day at 8 this morning. The, Junior Beef and Junior Sheep shows begin at 8-30 this morning. Gates open at 10 and the carnival opens at 5 this afternoon. Motorcycle races hilite the entertainment tonight starting at 6-30 and the Crazy Johnny Band is the musical entertainment in the Beer Pavilion tonight from 9 til midnight. One must stop at this year’s fair is Culler’s Fries. Culler’s Fries owner Jim Cullers says they have been located at the Champaign County Fair and State Fair in the same location for decades…
Culler’s Fries Owner Jim Cullers.
Culler’s Fries will also be in operation at the Half Century of Progress Show in Rantoul next month.
(Paxton--jc) -- One local grocery store has made a donation to the Paxton Pool with its round up program. The Paxton based “Save the Paxton Pool Committee” received a check in the amount of 3 thousand 784 dollars this week from the Paxton IGA. The local group continues to raise money for the Paxton Park District Pool. Businesses, civic groups and individuals may sponsor a “free swim” event at the pool through the summer hours. More information is found by calling the Paxton Park District at 379-4203 The next free swims are Thursday from 1pm to 5pm sponsored by Pax-Nasz and Saturday from 1pm to 4pm sponsored by the Farmers Merchants Bank of Illinois
(Rantoul--jc) -- Village of Rantoul leaders are looking to the local court system to get the owner of the Home Theatre building in downtown Rantoul to repair the facility. The Press reports that the owner wants to fix up the property and again offer movies. A fine was levied against the property and some nearby property owners are concerned about the theatre building and its future. Village leaders are expected to address the issue at meetings this summer.
(Springfield--jc) --The new course to become a firefighter in Illinois could make it a lot easier for people to become firefighters. About 70 percent of firefighters in Illinois are volunteers. But the ranks are thinning, thanks in part to the weeks of training that used to pull wannabe firefighters away from home. The Illinois State Fire Marshal is changing that.Fire Marshal spokesman J.C. Fultz says a new blended training program will allow firefighters to learn the classroom stuff online at home during the week, and train on the job one the weekends.
(Springfield--jc) --Illinois is one of the worst states when it comes to allowing former state officials to perform lobbying activities after they leave office. That’s according to a new study from the group Public Citizen. The report says while some states have bans on former lawmakers lobbying, either forever or for different “cooling off” periods of one to six years, Illinois has no restrictions.
(Champaign--jc) -- Last weekend was hot and humid. The weather for the final full week of July is more summer friendly. Illinois Water Survey Spokesperson Brian Kerschner says more typical July weather is here…
Illinois Water Survey Spokesperson Brian Kerschner
(Gifford--jc) It’s still July, but school officials in Gifford have set school registration times for the 20-19 to 20-20 school year. Gifford students will register for school on July 30th and July 31st. Registration is from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm each day..
SPRINGFIELD – A federal grant will allow the Illinois Community College Board to serve more than 1,600 apprentices in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs that will lead to employment in the information technology sector.
The $4.0 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, will support the development and expansion of apprenticeship programs in partnership with ten Illinois community colleges including Parkland College in Champaign.
(Loda--jc) The 9th annual Loda Good Ole Days Truck and Tractor Pull is set for Sunday on the west side of Loda. Loda Good Ole Days Spokesperson Mallory Lithgow says this years event is in honor of a “dear friend” who passed away earlier this year…
Loda Good Ole Days Spokesperson Mallory Lithgow.
WPXN will be broadcasting live on Sunday morning as part of our Summer Fun Tour from 10-30 to noon. It’s Summer Fun tour stop 15.
(Watseka--jc) -- It seems summer has only just begun but now is the time to schedule your child’s back-to-school vaccines. The Iroquois County Public Health Department recommends scheduling your appointments early to beat the rush. Officials say if you wait until August to schedule your child’s school vaccinations, you may not be able to obtain an appointment before the first day of school.
(Peoria--jc) One college based in Peoria is closing. Midstate College, in operation for over 130 years, is closing permanently on August 14th. The announcement was given to students this week. School officials are now working on transfers for enrolled students.
(Rantoul--jc) If you saw police moving around Rantoul Township High School on Tuesday morning and afternoon, there was a good reason. The Champaign County Metro Swat Team was conducting training at the local school. Several police vehicles and cars were stationed around Rantoul Township High School throughout the day.
(Cissna Park) -- One local school has its alumni reunion set for August 16th. Graduates from Cissna Park High School are invited to Creekside Prairie on the north side of the village. Registration starts at 2pm with a program at 3pm. Honored classes include 1959, 1969 and 1994. Cissna Park Schools will be open from 1pm to 2-30 that afternoon for those interested.
