(Springfield-jm) – A member of the Illinois State Police Merit Board has asked an appeals court to override a judge’s decision to allow Attorney General Kwame Raoul to dismiss a lawsuit against a former board employee accused of fraud costing taxpayers more than $500,000. A Sangamon County judge earlier this year granted Raoul’s request to dismiss the False Claims Act lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks to recover money allegedly stolen through bogus overtime and worker's compensation claims by former ISP Merit Board employee Jenny Thornley. Thornley, who faces criminal charges for overtime fraud, had worked for J.B. Pritzker’s 2018 campaign for governor. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is offering some tips to stay safe this Halloween. This is the third Halloween since the pandemic started, but it’s still a good idea to make sure you’re up to date on COVID and flu vaccinations, carry hand sanitizer and avoid large crowds, says State Public Health Spokesperson Mike Claffey…

 

 

State Public Health Spokesperson Mike Claffey. Claffey says if you’re feeling sick, stay home. Additionally, the U-S Consumer Product Safety Commission says there are about 32 hundred Halloween related injuries across the country each year. More than half of those people were hurt while carving a pumpkin.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton IGA recently presented St. Mary’s CCW with a $1,000 check as part of the charitable rebate program. The grocery store made the donation to the CCW through the store's Charitable Rebate program, which provides $1,000 to a nonprofit organization in return for the organization collecting $200,000 in IGA receipts. This represents the 56th organization that has qualified for a $1000 check since the program started in September 2009.

 

(Undated-jm) – With less than two weeks left in the campaign, the Democrats running for Illinois statewide offices and the U.S. Senate hold commanding leads over their GOP opponents according to a new poll. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Planned Parenthood in Champaign has expanded their facility for in-clinic abortion care patients. The facility expanded by five thousand square feet and will offer care to patients around the region. It comes after the U-S Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe vs Wade, giving abortion regulations up to the states.

 

(Paxton–jc) La Hacienda Cantina downtown Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day today. Owner Victor Torres says the restaurant is family owned and meals to margaritas are made fresh, daily…

 

 

La Hacidena Cantina Owner Victor Torres.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –The Paxton Service Club is on the lookout.  Several members of the local civic group are looking to choose the annual downtown Paxton Christmas Tree.  Paxton Service Club spokesperson Judy Ondercho says they have been given several possibilities, but they continue to search the city and surrounding areas for a good match. Officials with the City of Paxton and E-I-E-C help place the tree at the intersections of State and Market annually.  PRIDE in Paxton is the group that hosts the Tree Lighting Ceremony, which is set for Friday November 25th at 7pm

Also the annual City of Paxton Christmas parade will step off at 1-30pm on Saturday November 26th. 

 

(Peoria-jm) – OSF HealthCare is seeking regulatory approval to build a 100-bed psychiatric facility in Peoria. It would be the largest adult psychiatric hospital in Illinois south of Chicago. Officials said U.S. HealthVest will handle staff hiring at the psychiatric facility because for-profit companies are able to pay staff more. OSF hopes to have the facility open by late 2024 or early 2025.

 

(Springfield-jm) – There’s at least one mountain lion roaming Illinois right now, and the State Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to leave him alone. A cougar was struck and killed on I-88 earlier this month, but there’s a second one. It was fitted with a GPS collar last year by Nebraska officials and has made its way here, says DNR Wildlife Chief Mike Wefer (wee-fer)...

 

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Chief Mike Wefer. Wefer reminds that mountain lions are protected so it’s illegal to hunt, kill or harass them unless they are an imminent threat to yourself or your property. You can report sightings online at: wildlife illinois dot org.

 

(Pesotum-jm) – District 21 Illinois State Police recently conducted Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement Patrols in Champaign County. During the patrols, 1 person was cited for an occupant restraint violation, 7 were cited for a registration violation and 3 for driver’s license offenses.

 

(CIssna Park–jc) The Holiday season starts on Saturday in one area town. The Cissna Park Legion Auxiliary is hosting its annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday. The event takes place from 7am to 2pm in the American Legion Building along Route 49. 

 

(Undated-jm) – With less than two weeks, a new poll shows where Democrats and Republicans stand. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – Thousands of retired state workers could soon be forced to find new doctors because of a change to the Illinois Medicare Advantage Plan. Beginning January 1st, the state will only offer an Aetna PPO Plan for retirees, meaning Carle would be out of network.  But the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's chapter of the State Universities Annuitants Association, or SUAA, said these workers were promised health coverage in retirement. SUAA said they believe Carle wants to see retirees buy insurance through their private Medicare Advantage 

Plan. If a deal is not reached, about 10,000 retirees in the area would be forced to find new doctors.

 

(Paxton–jc) La Hacienda Cantina downtown Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day today. The local authentic Mexican menu restaurant features fresh made meals, 10 types of margaritas and 32 varieties of tequilas. Owner Victor Torres says one of the favorite menu meals is Zarrapes..

 

 

Hacienda Cantina Owner Victor Torres.

Hear more about LaHacienda Cantina on our news cast and an interview with Victor Torres during the Noon news block today. 

 

 

American Lutheran Church in Rantoul will host a trunk or treat on Friday from 5:30-7.

 

Fisher will hold their 2nd annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday at 6pm at the Fisher Fairgrounds.

 

Roberts will host their Halloween Festival on Sunday from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Gym.