(Springfield-jm) -- One issue that didn’t get resolved during the spring legislative session, fixing the state’s FOID card backlog. Dueling bills were debated in the House and Senate, with one big difference between the two. One requires submitting fingerprints to get a FOID card, the other only requires fingerprints if you want to get a card that never expires. Senator Dave Koehler of Peoria sponsored that version.  Neither of the bills cleared both chambers. Lawmakers say they will continue working on the legislation.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Authorities are looking for the person who broke into gaming machines at a Rantoul bar. At approximately 5 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1, police were called to Shooters Bar and Grill for a report of an open door at the establishment. Officers found gaming machines that had been damaged as if someone broke into them. The suspect took an unknown amount of money from the machines before fleeing. Anyone with information is asked to call Rantoul police.

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- In updating our story, authorities have released the name of the body found in a fuel tanker truck Friday near Buckley. Police say the victim is 29 year old Garrett Mayer of Nashville, Illinois. The incident remains under investigation. WPXN news will continue to update this story as official information is released.

 

(Cissna Park-dg) -- The Village of Cissna Park will be hosting a local vendor event this Saturday from 10-2. Between 20 and 30 local vendors will be set up with their merchandise for Shop the Park. Cissna Park Development board spokesperson, Todd Kaeb, talks about what will be there...

 

 

Cissna Park Development board spokesperson Todd Kaeb. Additional events will take place on Saturday July 10 and Saturday August 14. Check out Shop the Park Facebook page for a list of vendors

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- An electronics recycling will take place this Saturday in Paxton. It’s sponsored by the Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District. The district’s Sarah Earles has the details…

 

 

Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Sarah Earles. Items accepted include computer monitors, tv’s, printers, laptops and fax machines. Items not accepted include kitchen appliances, microwaves and vacuums. They are still looking for help. Anyone interested in volunteering can call Gene May at 217-379-3309.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College's summer schedule will go into effect on June 7. From June 7 to August 1, the college will open at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and will close Friday through Sunday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Corn planting is complete in Illinois as we hear in the weekly crop report. 93 percent of the corn crop has emerged and 74 percent is rated in good to excellent condition. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says soybean planting advanced by four points and is now 93 percent complete…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 96 percent of winter wheat has headed and average statewide topsoil moisture is now rated as five percent very short, 16 percent short, 71 percent adequate and eight percent surplus.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Legislation addressing mental health emergencies is headed to the Governor’s desk. A new nationwide suicide prevention hotline number, 9-8-8 will be operational next summer. A bill passed by lawmakers requires communities to coordinate the new number with their 9-1-1 systems, so that calls are directed appropriately and people get the help they need. Representative Kelly Cassidy of Chicago says it was prompted in part by the death of a 15 year old Calumet City teen…

 

 

State Representative Kelly Cassidy of Chicago. His family had called 9-1-1 and police shot Watts after they say he threatened them with a knife. Cassidy says the change will make sure a mental health emergency will get a mental health response.

 

 

(Thomasboro-jm) -- Police are still searching for the suspect involved in a deadly hit and run collision in Champaign County. It happened in the early hours of Monday, May 31, on I-57 southbound at milepost 245, near Thomasboro. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup identified the victim as 32-year-old Kendrick Jones of Little Rock, Arkansas. State police say they are looking for a 2010-2015 Chevrolet Equinox gray or silver in color and has Illinois registration.

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- Iroquois County authorities have released the name of the man found dead in a fuel tanker Friday near Buckley. Coroner Bill Cheatum identified the subject as 29 year old Garrett Mayer of Nashville, Illinois. The incident remains under investigation by Illinois State Police and the Iroquois County Coroner’s office.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- District 10 Illinois State Police will be conducting Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement Patrols. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

 

(Melvin-jm) -- The 2021 Ford County Fair gets underway this Sunday at the fairgrounds in Melvin. Fair President Kirk Miller talks about the fair returning following the pandemic…

 

 

Ford County Fair President Kirk Miller.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois is being designated as a "Purple Heart University." This means the university is being recognized for its support of veterans hurt in combat.The Chez Veterans Center will formally recognize the U of I during a ceremony on Friday, June 25. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Corn planting is complete in Illinois as we hear in the weekly crop report. With more than five days suitable for fieldwork this past week, Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says planting is wrapping up. He gives an update on the Illinois corn crop…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 93 percent of soybean acres have been planted and 84 percent has emerged. 96 percent of the winter wheat crop has headed and 76 percent is rated in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture comes in at five percent very short, 16 percent short, 71 percent adequate and eight percent surplus.