(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois House committee investigating if Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s actions in a bribery scheme were unbecoming of a lawmaker won't hold a hearing today as scheduled. Committee chairman state Representative Chris Welch issued a statement Wednesday that the hearing he scheduled to happen after the election would be postponed. Welch said the committee was waiting for more documents from ComEd and out of caution over spreading COVID-19. Republicans on the committee expressed frustration and disappointment over the announcement.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is issuing a dire warning after his graduated income tax proposal failed to pass. If approved, the new tax structure was predicted to generate more than three billion dollars in revenue each year. Without that money, the Governor says the state is in a tough fiscal situation...

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says he will be discussing options with lawmakers in the coming days and isnt ruling out a tax increase. Opponents of the proposal argued it would hurt small businesses and give the legislature more power to raise taxes in the future.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) --  Senator Bill Brady announced he will not seek reelection as Minority Leader in the Illinois Senate. Senator Brady made the announcement to the Senate Republican Caucus in a memo on Wednesday. 

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- The PBL Education Foundation is hosting their annual fundraiser. President of the Foundation Robin Neiwold gives us details on this year's fundraiser… 

 

 

PBL Education Foundation President Robin Neiwold. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Iroquois County Administrative Center is once again closed to the public. The closure is effective starting today and going until further notice. All county functions will remain in operation. The Paxton Park District also announced they too are closing their office until further notice. Those needing assistance are asked to leave a message and someone will return the call.

 

 

(Pesotum-jm) -- Illinois State Police District 10 troopers will be conducting roadside safety checks this month in Champaign County. Troopers will be looking for those driving under the influence, safety belt and child safety seat violations, speeding and distracted driving.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- There is a growing list of groups pushing for a state ethics report to be released. The push comes after many high profile members of the General Assembly have been accused of ethics violations says 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- A Paxton nursing facility is collecting donations to help families during the holidays. Accolade Paxton Senior Living, formerly the Knights Templar, is hosting the food drive through November 15th. Donations can be dropped off at their location, 450 E. Fulton from 8 to 4. For more information, call 379-2116.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- IF Bancorp, parent company of Iroquois Federal, a Watseka based bank reported 1st quarter net income of $1.3 million. Earnings were 44 cents per share. The company reported $6.6 million in expenses and $8 million in revenue which beat Wall Street expectations.

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Garage Community Center in Gilman from 9 to 3 today.

 

The Parkland College Foundation will host a scholarship workshop via zoom or Parkland College’s Facebook page today from noon to 1.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinoisans voted not to retain a state Supreme Court Justice Tuesday, something that’s never happened in Illinois history. But what happens now? According to the states constitution, the court will appoint someone for a two year term. Then it will become an open seat where a Democrat and Republican primary will take place in the spring of 2022 where the winners will face off in the fall election.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 on election day to get tested. State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike says if you were a poll worker, waited in line to vote or participated in any rallies or protests, its probably a good idea to get a test...

 

 

State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Ezike says it can take up to two weeks sometimes to show infection. She says there are 11 community testing sites across the state as well as mobile units where you dont need to be showing symptoms, make an appointment or have insurance to get tested.

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)-- The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will be conducting their Holiday Bureau again this Christmas season. Director Andy Kulcziki has the details on what the Holiday Bureau is… 

 

 

Director of the Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Andy Kulyzcki.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton zoning committee will meet tonight to hear a request from Eastern Illini. The electric cooperative is requesting their zoning be changed from R2 to M1. The zoning meeting gets underway at 7pm at city hall.

 

 

(Gibson City-cf)-- The Gibson City Historical Committee will be hosting a fundraiser for Gibson City’s 2021 Sesquicentennial. The 2020 Crazy Wine Down event will be held Saturday November 7th. Spokesperson Susie Tongate has the details… 

 

 

2020 Wine Down Spokesperson Susie Tongate.

 

(Ford County-jm) -- The Ford County Sheriff’s Office has released their October activity report. Deputies issued 18 citations including 13 for speeding, 2 for disobeying a stop sign and 1 each for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving with no headlights when required and an unlicensed driver. Deputies also handled 10 animal complaints, 9 for suspicious vehicles, 6 each for suspicious persons and fraud, 5 each for harassment and domestic issues, 3 each for burglary and sex offender notification and 2 each for suicide threat, theft and juvenile complaint and 1 for criminal damage to property.

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- East Central Illinois Community Action Agency will be hosting a drive thru health fair this week. The health fair will take place on Friday from 1-4 at their Danville location, 56 N. Vermilion Street.

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Paxton Church of Christ today from 12:30-5:30 pm.

 

The Melvin Women’s Club will host State Representative Tom Bennett this evening starting at 7pm at the Melvin Community Hall.