(Undated-jm) – Amtrak has canceled all long-distance trains throughout the United States. The long-distance train from Chicago to New Orleans stops in several area communities, affecting many local passengers trying to get to and back from the city. A looming nationwide railroad worker strike is a possibility that will affect many across the country. Freight rail management and labor contract negotiations are already affecting rail systems across the country. Amtrak is among several transportation companies making cancellations to their schedules. All long-distance Amtrak services are canceled for today, and more information for future dates will be released today.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says state and local officials are looking into whether the busing of asylum seekers from Texas to Chicago is a criminal act. An estimated 500 migrants have been sent to the city with more expected. Governor Pritzker has been highly critical of Texas shipping people to sanctuary cities and was asked if he considers this human trafficking or kidnapping…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says even if an asylum seeker signed something prior to boarding the buses, they might not have understood it. The Attorney General and state and city lawyers are investigating the matter further.
(Champaign-jm) – A man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to setting an apartment on fire earlier this year. The fire killed three dogs.
Martell Jones of Champaign initially entered a guilty plea to residential arson, due to this plea charges of aggravated arson with people present and aggravated cruelty to animals were dropped from his sentencing. The judge sentenced Jones to 15 years in State prison. Jones will receive credit for the 214 days served in custody.
(Mahomet-jm) – The Mahomet-Seymour Education Association voted “overwhelmingly” to authorize a strike Wednesday night, according to an Illinois Education Association news release. They haven’t set a strike date yet, but said it means MSEA leaders now have the authority to call one if a fair contract cannot be reached. The group has been working without a contract since June. There are four unresolved issues: class size, plan time, safety and workload and compensation.
(Paxton–jc) The city of Paxton has several new redevelopment agreements with local businesses. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says one is with Kief Realty of Paxton…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Champaign-jm) – A well-known face on the Champaign City Council will not seek re-election. Tom Bruno, arguably the most well-known face on the Champaign City Council and not just for his iconic mustache, announced he will step away from his seat at the end of the term in April after 25 years. He was first elected in 1997.
(Rantoul–jc) – Rantoul homeowners are set to receive 300 dollars in credit for electricity from the Rantoul Power Plant after an override veto vote Tuesday night by the Rantoul Village Board. In updating our story, Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith vetoed the measure last month, but a 5 to 1 vote this week cleared the ARPA funds to Rantoul residents. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says he understands the vote, but was hoping the funds could be used for other pressing projects in Rantoul…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Watseka–jc) – State police and Iroquois County authorities continue to search of a man who ran away from a train that stopped in Gilman on Wednesday, In updating our story, police are trying to locate Joel T. Smith, who is a person of interest in an ongoing investigation. Smith was last seen on foot running northeast towards Route 24 from the Gilman Train Station just after 1pm Wednesday. Smith is wearing a black button-up shirt and jeans. State police and local authorities are asking anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to call 911 to report it. Police say Smith is accused of an assault on the train. Iroquois West Schools were put on lock-down on Wednesday and will not be in session today. Smith remains at large and police are warning the public not to engage Smith if seen in the area. Police again are telling the public to contact 9-1-1 or local police on Smith.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for attacking a woman in 2020. A Champaign County judge imposed the sentence on James Brown after finding him guilty of domestic battery. Brown also has 3 other pending cases including an attack on a correctional officer at the Champaign County jail.
(Washington-jm) – U.S. corn growers don't have to worry very much about an oversupply of corn or a big price drop. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is issuing a disaster proclamation and activating 75 Illinois National Guard members to help with the influx of asylum seekers to Chicago. About 500 people have already been sent to Illinois from Texas, with more to come. Governor Pritzker says this proclamation and support from the guard will help the city and surrounding communities provide humanitarian relief. He says it’s the right thing to do…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Pritzker says this has been particularly difficult since the state is not getting any notice from Texas as to when more buses may show up.
(Urbana-jm) – Urbana Police are investigating a shots-fired incident that resulted in a house being hit by gunfire. Officers said they responded to the area of Main Street and Smith Road late Tuesday night for a report of shots being fired. They found no one hurt, but did find three shell casings in the road. Wednesday, a homeowner in the area found their house had been hit several times by bullets. A follow-up search found six more shell casings, all of which were the same caliber as the three previously-recovered casings. Witnesses said they saw a dark SUV speeding through the area and ignoring stop signs after the shots were fired. The motive for the shots being fired remains unknown and the investigation is ongoing.
(Danville-jm) – A Danville man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for aggravated criminal sexual abuse and child pornography. Police said Leslie Adams engaged in sexual contact with a woman who, although she was 20 years old, was afflicted with an intellectual disability. They said Adams also possessed images on his cell phone of the victim engaged in sexual acts. Adams has been in custody since June, 2021. He is housed at the Vermilion County Jail.
(Champaign-jm) – The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is hosting an online webinar to discuss and break down their new City of Champaign Diversity Advancement Program. The program looks to encourage City departments, contractors, and other vendors doing business with the City to increase the amount of goods and services provided by local businesses owned by minorities, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged groups. The webinar will be held September 21, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. After a 30-40 minute presentation by Adonis Fuller, the City of Champaign’s Purchasing / Compliance Specialist, participants will be able to have their questions answered in a chatbox.
(Paxton–jc) Volunteers from the Paxton Swine and Dine group will start to close down Market Street in downtown Paxton early Friday night in preparation for the 10 annual Paxton Swine and Dine in the city on Saturday. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Alan Meyer says the closure is needed for the major event…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Alan Meyer. The event starts at daybreak on Saturday morning with the Barbeque contest. County Music Star Tracy Lawrence will be on the stage live on Saturday night.
(Rantoul-jm) – On September 13, 2022, at approximately 11:30 pm, Rantoul Police officers were dispatched to the 500 block of south Tanner street, for a report of a residential burglary, where the offender was still inside the residence. When officers arrived at the residence, they located Kerion Overstreet, 23 years of age, who reported being homeless inside the residence. Additional property located on Overstreet indicated that he had committed additional crimes in the area. Overstreet was later transported to the Champaign County Jail, for the charges of Residential Burglary, Burglary to Motor Vehicle, and Criminal Trespass to a motor vehicle.
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul based Community Service Center has a new executive director that replaced Andy Kulchyski, who ran the agency for more than 33 years. Cindy Crawford is the new director and she provides some information about her background…
Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford
Champaign-jm) – One small business is moving into the old Skins ‘n Tins Drum Shop in Downtown Champaign. It’s one of the first steps in downtown’s $3 million revitalization project at Main and Walnut. Fire Doll Studio, a candle shop, first opened in Downtown Champaign on Neil Street a year ago.
(Washington-jm) – The new USDA soybean production forecast may be propping up soybean prices. Gary Crawford reports…
