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Governor J-B Pritzker says the new state budget includes record investments in the children of Illinois

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health warns that cases of COVID-19 are slowly rising in many areas of the state. The latest daily total is more than 33 hundred new cases, the highest number in nearly two months. Deaths and hospitalizations seem to be holding steady, but State Public Health Acting Director Dr Amaal Tokars says everyone eligible needs to get the shot to keep it that way…

 

 

State Public Health Acting Director Dr Amaal Tokars. Tokars says all but far southeastern Illinois are considered at low risk for transmission. But if that rises to medium or high in your community, you may want to wear a mask.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says the new state budget includes record investments in the children of Illinois. The budget that takes effect in July includes 600 million dollars in college map grants and more money for homeless youth and after school programs. The Governor says K through 12 schools will receive a higher level of funding than ever before…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. There’s also more money for preschool programs and to help teens find summer jobs.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign City Attorney Frederick Stavins announced that he will be retiring from the position after more than 40 years on the job. Stavins spent the majority of his legal career in Champaign. Taking the City Attorney position in 1981, Stavins lead the city’s Legal Department and its staff in providing legal review and advice to the City Council, Boards and Commissions, the City Manager and all city department heads. He also served as a lawyer for the city of Champaign Township and the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District. The 41 years he spent as City Attorney are a record for not only the position, but of any department head in Champaign. He served under six Mayors, four City Managers and numerous city council members and department heads while attending more than 2000 City Council meetings.

 

(Champaign County-tr) – The Champaign County Board approved ARPA funding to the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority in late March. Central Illinois Land Bank Authority Executive Director Mike Davis says that in just a few weeks, applications for funding will be available on their website… 

 

 

 

Central Illinois Land Bank Authority Executive Director Mike Davis

 

(Urbana-jm) – A Champaign man was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography. Court documents establish that Charles Howard, 41, sexually abused and exploited a 15-year-old girl in his care. He further threatened to kill her and himself if she told anyone about the abuse. Howard has two prior convictions from 2000 and 2001 for criminal sexual abuse in Champaign County and was a registered sex offender at the time of his arrest in June 2020. A federal grand jury charged Howard in September 2020 with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of committing sex offenses as a registered sex offender. He pleaded guilty to all three counts in October 2021.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Dogtown Heating Air and Plumbing of Paxton. Manager Kody Haas says the company has a lot of experience and a cool name…

 

 

Dogtown Heating Air and Plumbing of Paxton Manage Kody Haas

You can learn more about Dogtown Heating Air and Plumbing throughout the day today on WPXN.

 

(Washington-jm) – The new consumer price index shows food prices are still going up at a fast pace. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Looking to hire movers? The Illinois Commerce Commission has some advice so you don’t get ripped off. Recommendations include having the moving company go through each room of your home and provide a written estimate of the job, as well as discussing options for loss and damage protection. I-C-C Police Chief Ruben Ramirez says one complaint they get is movers saying they can’t finish the job without more money…

 

 

Illinois Commerce Commission Police Chief Ruben Ramirez. If that happens, Ramirez says you should call the company right away and report the movers. Same goes if they demand a tip.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Several lane and street closures on and near Lincoln Avenue will be expanded next week as crews continue a resurfacing project. The right northbound lane of Lincoln Avenue between Stoughton and Clark Streets has been closed to traffic since March 28. Clark Street itself on the east side of Lincoln has also been closed since that date. Starting Monday, the right lane closure on northbound Lincoln will be extended south of Stoughton to Green Street. Main Street east of Lincoln will also close to traffic. The previous lane and street closures will remain in effect. The left lane of northbound Lincoln will remain open, but the City of Urbana noted that closures may shift. Future closures will be announced as they arise during the project. Drivers are encouraged to travel carefully through the construction zone and to not drive through areas closed off to traffic.

 

(Onarga-tr) – The town of Onarga is ready to begin the second phase of their downtown sidewalk project. Onarga Mayor Shane Cultra shared how winter kept the project from moving forward… 

 

 

Onarga Mayor Shane Cultra

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Courthouse security officers arrested 22-year-old Aaron Young in connection to a drive-by shooting on I-74 in North Champaign in late March. Young was in court for an unrelated case when he was taken into custody on a warrant for attempted murder.The 22-year-old also faces two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. Two people were taken to the hospital after the 2 a.m. interstate shooting between the Prospect Avenue and Neil Street exits. State police said the victims’ car crashed into the center median after being hit by gunfire that came from another car.

 

(Washington-jm) – How does USDA see corn export activity from Ukraine in its latest world supply and demand estimates? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Dogtown Heating Air and Plumbing of Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day today. Manager Kody Haas talks about their relationship with the “Lennox” brand…

 

 

Dogtown Heating Air and Plumbing Manager Kody Haas. We have an interview with Haas set for the noon news block today. Dogtown Heating Air and Plumbing is the WPXN Business of the Day, today. 

 

The Loda American Legion will host their fish and chicken fry tonight from 4-7 pm. Cost is $10 for adults, children 8 and older are $5.

 

The Thawville Community Sale will take place on Saturday starting at 10 am.

 

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the PBL Life Skills Class on Saturday from 10-2.

 

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