(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker has signed a new state law to help address the shortage of substitute teachers in Illinois. The idea is to get more retired teachers back into the classroom to help out, says Representative Janet Yang Rohr of Naperville…
State Representative Janet Yang Rohr of Naperville. The law takes effect immediately.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin wants the director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to resign. Durkin's call for Director Marc Smith to resign follows news of the director being held in contempt of court for a ninth time. The ninth contempt of court order involves a 15-year-old boy who has been kept in a psychiatric hospital for more than two and a half months since he was ready to be discharged.
(Springfield-jm) – Corn and soybean planting is starting up in Illinois. On average, less than two days were suitable for fieldwork this past week. Still, some minor progress was made, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Five percent of winter wheat has headed and 40 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated as two percent short, 49 percent adequate and 49 percent surplus.
(Bloomington-jm) – Bloomington Police and Fire said that a 19-year-old man has died after he was pulled from a lake Sunday night. Firefighters and police officers were dispatched to White Oak Park at 8 p.m. for a report of someone drowning. They pulled the teen from the water and attempted life-saving measures before taking him to Carle BroMenn Medical Center. Their efforts were not successful and the teen was pronounced dead.
(Ford County-tr) – The Ford County Public Health Department is offering support to local caregivers. FCPHD Caregiver Advisor Becky Beck states the goal of the program…
Beck went on to share the mixed emotions caregivers can feel whilst caring for a loved one…
FCPHD Caregiver Advisor Becky Beck. If you'd like more information about the program, call the Ford County Public Health Department and ask for Becky Beck at 217-379-9281.
(Watseka-jm) – The Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department will be among those hosting events this Saturday as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. As part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the Sheriff’s Department will accept expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drugs can be dropped off at the west door of the Iroquois County Courthouse, located at 550 10th Street in Watseka. The take back event will be free and anonymous with no questions asked, but only patches and pills will be accepted; no liquids, needles or sharps.
(Paxton-tr) – At this time, Hall of Fame Inductees are being considered by the PBL school board and other community leaders. PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure says the process is extensive and up to only three people are inducted per year…
PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure.
(Champaign-jm) – The Parkland College Board of Trustees approved awarding fallen Saint Joseph firefighter and tow truck driver Ross Booker a posthumous honorary degree. Ross was completing his last semester at Parkland College at the time of his death. He was killed while cleaning up an accident in Champaign.
(Paxton–jc) – Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Paxton Hardware and Rental. Owner Scott Allen says your can find all types of rental ideas for graduation at the store in Paxton…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. You can hear more about our business of the day on all newscasts and during an interview on the noon news today
(Rantoul-tr) – The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County is preparing for their Spring Fling, tonight from 6-8pm after 2 years of not holding it due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Executive Director Andy Kulczycki says wine tastings and music will be available…
Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Executive Director Andy Kulczyck.
(Springfield-jm) – A new state law is designed to further protect Illinois students from sexual abuse at school. Under the law, school administration must let school boards and parents know if a teacher is found to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a student. It also ensures teachers who are caught have the incident recorded in their personnel file, so they can’t easily move to another district, says Representative Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg…
State Representative Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg. The measure builds upon “Faith’s Law” passed last year targeting teachers who groom students into having an inappropriate sexual relationship.
(Edwardsville-jm) – Amazon is facing at least two lawsuits after its Illinois warehouse collapsed in December. Six people were killed when a tornado tore through the building. The victim's family claims negligence after an incident report from a west county fire investigator citing structural issues.
(Springfield-jm) – Corn and soybean planting is starting up in Illinois. Two percent of corn and one percent of soybeans have been planted, well behind last year’s pace, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Looking at winter wheat…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Pasture conditions improved to 53 percent in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture came in at two percent short, 49 percent adequate and 49 percent surplus.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers revisited some aspects of criminal justice reform during the spring legislative session. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says it's not enough…
One of the pieces of legislation passed dealt with the increase in carjackings…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Champaign-jm) – One person is in custody after people in two-vehicles reportedly shot at one another Saturday. Champaign Police were called at approximately 5:22 p.m. to the area near Williamsburg Drive and Garden Hills Drive. Officers found shell casings of multiple sizes covering two blocks. Witnesses said people in two vehicles were exchanging gunfire when one of the vehicles became disabled. The people inside then ran off and the other vehicle left the scene.
(Paxton–jc) – Paxton Hardware and Rental is the WPXN Business of the day today. Owner Scott Allen says there is always something new in the rental side of the store and one new rental is a foam party machine…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. Here more about rentals and more at Paxton Hardware and Rental on later newscasts today.
(Paxton–jc) – The city of Paxton downtown Streetscape program continues and safety in traveling to downtown businesses is a top priority for city officials, police and the construction companies involved with the project. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says crews have worked hard to make the downtown area safe for travel during the construction…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man sentenced to 2 years in prison for domestic battery is facing an additional 1-3 years. Lamar Phillips received a 2 year sentence in Champaign County court. As he was being detailed to go back to the county jail, Phillips got into a tussle with security, causing one of them to receive minor injuries. He’s now charged with resisting a peace officer.
(Rantoul-jm) – This week, Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking the public’s assistance in getting more information on criminal damage. On April 5, at around 3:30 a.m., Rantoul Police were dispatched to the Rantoul Pizza Pub on East Congress Avenue in response to an activated motion alarm. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a damaged window on the north side of the business and evidence that someone had entered the building. According to officers, once inside, the suspect damaged an interior door that allowed access to a neighboring business, Dis N Dat Barbecue. The suspect was captured on video, wearing a dark-colored coat with square and rectangular patches on the back, athletic style pants with a vertical stripe along the leg, dark-colored shoes with a rectangular pattern on the sides, gloves and face covering. Anyone who has information regarding this or any crime in Champaign County is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS.
