(Springfield-jm) – This is the final week of the spring legislative session with some big issues still on the table. The top priority is to craft a state budget for the new fiscal year which begins July 1st. Additionally, there are calls for something to be done about the increase in violent crime and relief for families struggling with inflation. Last week Senate Democrats unveiled what they call the “pay it forward” proposal. The package includes an income tax rebate, says Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign…
State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign. The spring session typically doesn’t adjourn until May 31st but the date was moved up this year to April 8th.
(Springfield-jm) – Farmers haven’t been able to get into the fields much as we hear in the first weekly crop report of the season. Thanks to the weather, less than one day on average was suitable for fieldwork, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Just 48 percent of the winter wheat crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture is reported as five percent short, 53 percent adequate and 42 percent surplus.
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign and Urbana firefighters responded to a fire near the corner of Busey and Indiana Avenue in Urbana early Monday night. Fire officials said there was heavy smoke when first responders reported to the scene at around 5 p.m. They said it took about 30 minutes to extinguish the fire. The roof and attic of the house sustained heavy damage, but no one was injured in the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
(Ford County-tr) – The Ford County Public Health Department recently went around the local area visiting businesses, explaining the drug Narcan and giving out free Narcan Kits. FCPHD Community Health Director Kami Garrison says this drug could quickly help anyone having an opioid overdose…
Ford County Public Health Department Community Health Educator Kami Garrison
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers and Triad Shredding are offering community members a chance to safely dispose of personal documents, unwanted prescription drugs, and unused cell phones. This is a fundraiser for Crime Stoppers, and participant donations will be used to pay out cash rewards for anonymous tips that help solve crimes across Champaign County. The event will be held Saturday, April 23 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in University of Illinois parking Lot E14. This parking lot is at the corner of First and Kirby in Champaign, just west of the State Farm Center. Crime Stoppers is asking for a $10 donation to shred up to two bankers boxes of private documents, including: old income tax records, bank statements, pay stubs, medical records, canceled checks, legal documents, utility bills, etc.
(Paxton–jc) – Work in downtown Paxton continues now through early fall. The Paxton Streetscape program includes some sidewalks and more in the downtown area of the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the streets will be raised during the process…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Cissna Park–jc) – Today’s WPXN Business of the day is Creekside Prairie in Cissna Park. Creekside Manager Elsie Eisenmann says Creekside is a great option for independent living…
Creekside Prairie Manager Elsie Eisenmann. Hear more about our business of the day on all local newscasts. We also have an interview with Elsie Eisenmann of Creekside Prairie during our Noon news today.
(Undated-jm) – Illinois’ population decline reached record levels in 2021 as the state’s population dropped by 113,776 residents from July 2020-July 2021. Population decline was widespread during the year, affecting nearly all areas of the state as 81 of Illinois’ 102 counties saw population losses, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released March 24. Locally, Iroquois County lost 157 residents ranking them 42nd in the state. Ford County lost 22 residents ranking them 78th in the state. Vermilion County lost 788 residents ranking them 11th in the state. Champaign County added 474 residents ranking them 98th in the state.
(Washington-jm) – Producers as a whole, and crop producers specifically, received higher prices for most of their commodities in February. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Revenue is reminding us that the income tax filing deadline is quickly approaching. You have until Monday, April 18th to get your return in, and taxpayers are strongly encouraged to file electronically. Department of Revenue Spokesperson Maura Kownacki (kuh-nacky) says help is available…
Illinois Department of Revenue Spokesperson Maura Kownacki. To get more information or to file your IL-10-40 for free, visit the website: my tax dot illinois dot gov.
(Springfield-jm) – Farmers haven’t been able to get into the fields much as we hear in the first weekly crop report of the season. This past week was cold and wet, leaving less than one day for fieldwork on average. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says there have been scattered reports of planting and tillage. Looking at winter wheat…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Average statewide topsoil moisture is reported as five percent short, 53 percent adequate and 42 percent surplus.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs your help solving a retail theft case. In a news release, Crime Stoppers officials stated it happened at Good Vibes Sound on Round Barn Road in Champaign. On March 22, a woman distracted an employee while the other took electronics from a display and walked out of the store without paying for them. The second woman then grabbed other product as she went out the door. In total, the women stole over $2,400 in merchandise, according to officials.
(Illinois-tr) – American Red Cross of Illinois is encouraging the community this spring to celebrate by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation. Exclusive t-shirts are being given out for those who choose to donate all according to American Red Cross of Illinois Communications Director Holly Baker…
American Red Cross of Illinois Communications Director Holly Baker
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois' Cline Research Center will release a database with numbers of lethal use of force by local officers in every county of the state. It will be released in summer 2022. They hope this tool will bring accountability and transparency.
(Ford County-tr) – A Walkthrough Health Fair is being planned for April 8th at the Living word Parking lot located in Roberts. Ford County Walkthrough Health Fair Spokesperson Tim Nuss is very proud of his community and wants to find ways to keep improving the communities around him…
Ford County Walkthrough Health Fair Spokesperson Tim Nuss.
(Champaign-jm) – Spring home buyer fever has arrived early to the Champaign County area housing market as more buyers rush to lock in their home purchases before mortgage rates rise further, according to the Champaign County Association of REALTORS. A total of 159 home residential home sales were reported in February, up 5.30 percent from 151 sales one year ago. The February median home sale price for the Champaign County area stood at $175,000, up 7.69 percent from $162,500 in February of last year.
(Cissna Park–jc) Creekside Prairie of Cissna Park is the WPXN business of the day today. Creekside Prairie Manager Elsie Eisenmann provides information on the turn-key state of the art facilities…
Creekside Prairie Manager Elsie Eisenmann.
For more information about Creekside Prairie call 815-457-3311
(Washington-jm) – There were few, if any, real surprises in USDAs report on grain stocks. Gary Crawford reports…
