(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker faced questions about the director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. DCFS Director Marc Smith has faced backlash for weeks after multiple contempt of court orders over the inadequate placement of youth in care. Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin has even called for his resignation. Governor Pritzker says the challenges Smith is facing are due to his predecessor and they are working to improve the process. Smith has currently faced nine contempt of court orders since January.
(Springfield-jm) – The state is launching a new tourism campaign…the “Middle of Everything.” The effort stars actress Jane Lynch and highlights what Illinois is all about says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The ads will run in 20 markets throughout Illinois, seven neighboring states and cable stations nationwide. More about the “Middle of Everything” campaign including suggested itineraries is available online at: enjoy illinois dot com.
(Washington-jm) – A lawmaker from Illinois is speaking out against canceling student loan debt for thousands of Americans. United States Representative Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, released a statement this week saying President Joe Biden's plan for student loan forgiveness is wrong. Multiple news outlets reported Wednesday that the White House is considering offering widespread debt cancellation for federal student loan borrowers. Student loan payments have been paused through August 31, 2022.
(Roberts-tr) – The village of Roberts is currently facing a series of water issues. Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughan says repairs could cost as much as 130 thousand dollars…
Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughan
(Champaign-jm) – A new study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign says Black mothers of gun violence victims are more likely to suffer health issues than parents of other ethnicities. Dr. Ruby Mendenhall, a professor at the University of Illinois, said trauma from gun violence causes hormones to rage, which constantly puts a mother's body in the "fight or flight" mode. As a result, Dr. Mendenhall and her colleagues believe a Black mother is more susceptible to sicknesses, such as diabetes, and hypertension. Dr. Mendenhall says Black families have difficulty preventing sickness due to job discrimination and not being able to afford health care.
(Ford County-tr) – Saturday is National Drug Takeback Day. In observance of this day, the Ford County Public Health Department is hosting a Prescription Medication Take Back Opportunity Friday April 29th from 12-3pm at the Moyer District Library in Gibson City. FCPHD Community Health Educator Kami Garrison says that Narcan kits are still available…
FCPHD Community Health Educator Kami Garrison.
(Champaign-jm) – A total of $1.5 million has been awarded to the Housing Authority of Champaign County through a federal YouthBuild grant. YouthBuild, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, is a non-residential, community-based and alternative education program that gives at-risk youth in the 16-24 age range access to job training and educational opportunities. The money from U.S. labor officials marks the Housing Authority's second round of federal funding for the YouthBuild program. As of late April, YouthBuild has served 78 young people. It carries a 91 percent credential attainment rate, with 95 percent showing reading and/or math level gains.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton. Owner Teri Hancock says they are gearing up for Mother’s Day…
Picket Fence Florist of Paxton owner Teri Hancock. You can hear more about Picket Fence Florist on later newscasts today and an interview with Teri Hancock, Dawn Glad, and Richard Arnold.
(Washington-jm) – What are some of USDA's current efforts to strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and what else should be considered as part of the 2023 Farm Bill? Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Bill 4343 is headed to Governor J-B Pritzker's desk. Once signed, the bill will give Medicaid coverage to undocumented people who are at least 42 years old. Immigrants under 18 years old will also be covered. Once the governor signs the bill, Medicaid coverage would be available on July 1.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center is being recognized for its work as a one-stop resource for law enforcement. During an annual training event, it was named the 2021 Fusion Center of the Year. Fusion Centers were created after the 9-11 terrorist attacks to better coordinate information about potential threats and response efforts says Illinois State Police Lieutentant Byron Workman…
Illinois State Police Lieutenant Byron Workman. Workman says it’s the analysts and law enforcement that work around the clock, as well as strong partnerships with local responders that make Illinois’ facility so special.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Pork Producers Association is making it easier for farmers to enhance their pig farms. The grants will reimburse applicants up to $2,500 for tree buffers, and related materials. Applications are due by July 1, 2022.
(Iroquois County-tr) – The Iroquois County Fair Talent Show committee is currently accepting entries to compete in the Iroquois County Fair Talent show through May 1st. Talent Show Director Pat Ward hopes to have a plethora of unique performances for a night of family entertainment…
Iroquois County Fair Talent Show Director Pat Ward.
(Watseka-jm) – The Iroquois County Public Health Department is asking for the public's help collecting dead birds. The department collects and tests dead birds as part of its West Nile virus surveillance program. Officials say dead birds will be collected from May 1st to October 15th, and submitted birds should be believed dead for less than 24 hours. Birds with obvious causes of deaths, such as gunshot wounds, are not eligible for testing. If you find a dead bird in Iroquois County, call 815-432-2483.
(Gibson City-tr) – The Sip and Shop Wine Hop is going on in Gibson City tomorrow from 11am - 3pm. Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavlin shares how to get in on the chance to win gift baskets…
Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavlin.
(Kankakee-jm) – On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at approximately 5:15 a.m., KAMEG Agents, assisted by Illinois State Police SWAT, arrested Kim L. Franks, age 49, and Kimyata S. Mitchell-Eason, age 51, both of Kankakee, IL, following a search warrant at their residence, 1178 E. Maple St. Kankakee. A two-month investigation preceded the search warrant execution. The search warrant execution resulted in the seizure of over 2,000 grams of cocaine, over 5,000 grams of cannabis, two loaded handguns, United States Currency, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. Franks was charged with the following: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver between 2000 – 5000 grams, Unlawful Possession of a Cannabis with Intent to Deliver over 5000 grams, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon and two counts of Armed Violence. Mitchell-Eason was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. Franks and Mitchell-Eason were transported to and detained at the Jerome Combs Detention Center.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton. Designer Dawn Glad says when thinking of “Mother’s Day” it is a day for mom and more…
Picket Fence Florist of Paxton designer Dawn Glad. You can hear more about Picket Fence Florist on later newscasts today and an interview with Teri Hancock, Dawn Glad, and Richard Arnold.
(Washington-jm) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is taking exception to one lawmaker's charge that the Administration does not take agricultural trade seriously. Gary Crawford reports…
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the PBL Chorus on Saturday from 10-2.
Gibson City will host a Sip and Shop Wine Hop on Saturday from 11-3. Cost is $20. For more information contact Sharon Craig at 217-249-8103.
St. Malachy Catholic School in Rantoul will host their annual spring auction on Saturday.
Parkland College will host Perimeter Road Music Festival on Saturday from 12-7 pm in the Student Union parking lot.
A benefit for Nathan Savoie will be held at 1 pm on Sunday at the 103 in Buckley.
