(Paxton--jc) Two cars and a semi were involved in a major accident just after 1 this morning along Interstate 57 at mile marker 266 just north of Paxton. Authorities say several people were injured and airlift was called to assist at the scene. Traffic is being re routed from 1-57 into Paxton and north as work continues at the scene of the accident. WPXN news will update this story as more official news becomes available. 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has released the annual Consumer Lending Trends Report between 2012 and 2019. In 2019, payday loans were 13.4 percent higher than they were in 2012. Small consumer loans were 7.8 percent higher in 2019 compared to 2012. Title loans were 4.3 percent lower than in 2012. Title loan defaults were at 28.8 percent.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Trump Administration is announcing up to $100 million to increase American biofuel sales. The higher blends infrastructure incentive program is available in 14 states including Illinois and several surrounding states.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for public hearings of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This comes as frustrations continue to mount from politicians and Illinoisans who can't get through to the department. Both Democrats and Republicans are tired of the lack of transparency from the agency and want answers from the department and Governor J-B Pritzker through public hearings.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA's October crop reports show how tighter stocks are affecting other aspects of the crop balance sheets. Stephanie Ho talks with World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski about the report…

 

 

 

(Onarga-jm) -- Drivers in Onarga will be down a railroad crossing next week. Canadian National Railroad posted the Seminary Street crossing will be closed starting Monday and will be closed for 7 days.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A University of Illinois student is facing weapon charges after police say he had a gun in his dorm room. Police say Joshua Gray made concerning posts on social media. A search of his dorm room uncovered a gun and ammunition. Gray was recently arrested for spray painting near the Alma Mater.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- The PBL FFA Chapter will be hosting Discover Ag Day Camps over the next coming weeks. Sign ups have come and gone, but the camp will include a lot of lessons and activities. PBL FFA member Chirstina White has the details of what the first lesson will be… 

 

 

PBL FFA Member Christina White. The first lesson will take place Thursday October 22.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Paxton Park District, Vermilion County Board and St. Joseph village board meetings are tonight. The Paxton Park District will decide whether or not to have the Halloween parade and consider setting hours for the district's parks. The Vermilion County Board will be asked to approve several appointments to various boards and committees and approve bids for the Ross Township box culvert replacement. The St. Joseph village board will look at their tax levy and hear an update on several projects. The Paxton Park District meeting gets underway at 5:30, the Vermilion County Board meeting gets underway at 6 and the St. Joseph village board meeting gets underway at 7.

 

 

(Urbana-cf)-- Flu season is right around the corner, and we will have that combined with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you live in Champaign County, there are numerous places you can receive your flu shot.  Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Administrator Julie Pryde has the details… 

 

 

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Administrator Julie Pryde.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department is encouraging people to participate in the Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill. The drill takes place October 15th. They remind you to Drop, Cover and Hold on in the event of an earthquake.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- 52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign is encouraging child care providers to apply for the next round of Business Interruption Grants. The first round of $150 million grants went to 4,686 providers. This time $114 million in grants are available. The deadline to apply is October 15th.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Thousands of voters have already turned in their ballots, and while it’s OK to share that you voted, snapping a picture of your ballot could get you into some trouble. While it isn’t a federal crime to take a selfie with or a picture of your ballot, it does violate what is in the Illinois Election Code. Illinois State Board of Election officials are discouraging voters from taking a selfie with their ballot because the general rule states the ballot should be a secret. As far as prosecuting those that violate this code, it comes down to the state's attorney in a specific election authority. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Halloween is just around the corner, so you may be stocking up on Halloween candy for trick-or-treaters.  A new report says the most popular candy among Illinoisans is first sour, then it's sweet. CandyStore.com released an interactive map showing the favorite Halloween candies of each state. According to the map, in Illinois, the most popular candy is Sour Patch Kids. Last year, Kit Kats were considered the most popular candy in the state. This year, they came in second place. Starburst is listed as the third-most popular candy in Illinois.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) --  Just days before the state deadline, the Illinois State Board of Education is changing course when it comes to students meeting the state deadline for turning in immunization records. Meeting the October 15 deadline is still required by Illinois State law, even during a pandemic, but there are new options for those that fail to turn it in. Originally, the Illinois State Board of Education said schools would have to exclude kids from school until they showed proof. However, there was no language distinguishing remote learning vs on site learning. Yesterday, they announced kids can do remote learning.

 

 

(Washington-jm) --  A top USDA official says the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement remains a significant trade deal, but admits some areas may need close attention. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

 

 (Thomasboro-jm) -- Thomasboro police are warning residents to lock their vehicles after a string of break ins. The latest occurred Sunday morning when 5 vehicles in the area of S. John, Shelly and Jacobsen streets were illegally entered and items stolen or moved around. Thomasboro police reported a handgun was stolen from one of the vehicles Sunday. Anyone with information is asked to call Thomasboro police or the Champaign County Sheriff’s office.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Masonic Lodge has made a donation to a local group. The lodge donated to the Prairieland CEO program. The Prairieland CEO program partners with local businesses and organizations to provide unique entrepreneur opportunities. The program features students in the PBL, GCMS and Fisher school districts.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City’s west park will be getting a new addition. Mayor Dan Dickey says it came from a request from the area girl scouts…

 

 

Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Rantoul village board and Paxton city council both meet tonight. Rantoul village trustees will be asked to approve the purchase of two police vehicles, approve a demo contract for the Illinois Drive project and approve some engineering agreements for the Broadmeadow Road extension, adding a turn lane to Murray Road and a multi use path on Maplewood Drive. Paxton council members will be asked to approve repairs to sidewalks and approve bids for repainting the clock tower. The Rantoul village board meeting gets underway at 6pm with the Paxton city council meeting getting underway at 7.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Those not wanting to go to the polls because of the Coronavirus pandemic can request a mail in ballot. Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons addresses one of the concerns he has heard…

 

 

Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons. 

 

 

(Normal-jm) -- Illinois State University’s Center for the Study of Education Policy has been awarded a $4.3 million grant from the U-S Department of Education. The funding will be used to continue the Center’s work through the Together Everyone Achieves More Through Integrated Leadership project , to increase principal effectiveness in performance areas that lead to increases in student achievement.

 

 

(Ashkum-jm) -- Illinois State Police in Ashkum have released September activity results. Last month, troopers issued 439 citations and 720 written warnings including 11 DUIs, 34 seatbelt citations and made 26 criminal arrests. Also during the month of September, troopers responded to 57 traffic accidents that resulted in two fatalities.