(Prospect Heights-jm) – About 200 Venezuelan migrants bused to Illinois by the governor of Texas are now staying at a hotel in Prospect Heights. The acting mayor said he had a couple days' notice that the migrants were on the way. The children, around 60 of them, are now enrolled in schools and the mayor said he doesn't see this as a burden on city resources.
(Springfield-jm) – It’s Fire Prevention Week and the Illinois State Fire Marshal is urging families to plot out their escape route. If a fire starts in your home, you may have less than two minutes to get out, says Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place…
State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Fultz recommends the whole family practice the escape plan at least twice a year during both daytime and nighttime hours.
(Washington-jm) – The Federal Highway Administration announced on Tuesday that it has released $2.2 billion in funding for critical Illinois infrastructure including roads, bridges, tunnels, carbon emission reduction, and safety improvements. In the announcement, the administration stated that the funds will go directly to transportation leaders across the state in Fiscal Year 2023.
(Springfield-jm) – Another dry week gave farmers plenty of time for harvesting. Seven days were suitable for fieldwork and 75 percent of the Illinois corn crop is now mature, says Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 31 percent of soybeans have been harvested and 16 percent of winter wheat has been planted. Average statewide topsoil moisture dropped to 26 percent very short, 33 percent short and 41 percent adequate.
(Champaign-jm) – People in Champaign County have a chance to recycle their old or unwanted electronics this weekend thanks to the Cities of Champaign and Urbana, the Village of Savoy and Champaign County. These four municipal agencies are co-sponsoring a collection event at Parkland College for people to drop off their items. The event will take place on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
People wanting to drop off items must register for a 15-minute timeslot. Upon reserving a time, people will receive a confirmation email or text immediately and a postcard in the mail seven to 10 days before the event; this postcard will serve as their “ticket” into the event.
(Rantoul–jc) – It’s been one week since Rantoul Village officials along with Core Acquisitions announced a new development to house 6 new businesses on Rantouls west side. The development includes a Starbucks, Verizon store, Jersey Mikes and more. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the positive economic news continues for the village as more development is coming…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Champaign-jm) – If you have received a text asking to run for local government, it’s not a scam. It is part of a new initiative the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association is using to encourage representation across Illinois. The texts ask phone users if they are interested in volunteering for an election or running for local office. People receiving the texts have a history of voting Democrat in two or more elections.
(Loda–jc) –Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Federated Bank. Locations in Loda Onarga Chebanse Bradley and Braidwood help with convenience, local, professional hometown banking, says Federated Bank's Senior Vice President and Loan Officer Nick Reutter…
Federated Bank is a full service local bank says Reutter.
Federated Bank Senior Vice President and Loan Officer Nick Reutter.
We have a full interview with Nick Reutter during the noon news today.
(Normal-jm) – The recall of nearly every electric vehicle made so far at the Rivian plant in Normal has caused the company’s share price to plummet. The electric truck and SUV maker announced it was recalling more than 12,000 vehicles with issues that could affect the steering control. On Monday, the company’s stock fell over 7% to around $31 a share. Rivian’s stock price has dropped from a peak of $179 last November.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is reminding families to practice fire safety. This is Fire Prevention Week and DCFS Spokesperson Deborah Lopez says they have a program that provides free smoke alarms to families served by the Department. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half when working smoke alarms are present…
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Spokesperson Deborah Lopez. Lopez says it’s also important to have a family escape plan in case of fire that everyone practices periodically.
(Washington-jm) – Two members of Congress are pushing for passage of a measure to protect Dreamers. Young immigrants who have been in the United States the majority of their lives. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois and Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey are pointing the finger at Republicans for leaving Dreamers in limbo for several years. Both men worry the courts could end DACA resulting in the revocation or work permits and the possible deportation of Dreamers. Potential legislation needs 60 votes in the Senate but currently it falls about ten votes short.
(Springfield-jm) – Another dry week gave farmers plenty of time for harvesting. 75 percent of corn acres are mature and 27 percent of the crop has been harvested. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 89 percent of soybeans are dropping leaves…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 16 percent of winter wheat has been planted and two percent has emerged. Average statewide topsoil moisture fell to 26 percent very short, 33 percent short and 41 percent adequate.
(Urbana-jm) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $5.7 million to seven universities and public health organizations on Tuesday.
The grant is to improve the understanding of the longer-term impact of housing interventions targeting lead and other residential hazards, such as pests, injury hazards, and asthma triggers. The University of Illinois was one of the seven universities to receive a grant, receiving $924,410.
(Paxton–jc) Those going to park district events in the city of Paxton will see a lot of help with high school and college age students as referees, line judges, cheerleaders and more Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans says the district is blessed to have the help
Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County’s largest nursing home may be up for sale for the second time in less than four years. The private owner of the former Champaign County Nursing Home, now University Rehabilitation Center of C-U, purchased it from the county in 2019. The sale came with an agreement that the Urbana facility would continue to operate as a nursing home with existing employees through 2027. Evanston-based University Rehab Real Estate, LLC, controlled by William “Avi” Rothner, is now requesting the county remove those two covenants to allow the facility to be sold in 2023 and converted into a substance abuse disorder treatment facility.
