(Undated-jm) – A new report shows that dangerous recalled toys are still available in Illinois. The 37th annual “Trouble in Toyland” report was released by the Illinois Public Interest Research Group Education Fund. Among the recalled toys were stuffed animals, action figures, bath toys and a riding toy for toddlers. The group bought some of the toys from U.S.-based online sellers including Facebook Marketplace and eBay, as well as several online toy shops. They attempted to purchase 16 different products that had been recalled at some point in 2022, and were able to purchase 11 of them.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Police are gearing up for their annual disability placard stings at local malls. Steep fines and driver’s license suspension await those illegally using a disability placard or parking spot. The most common offense? Secretary of State Spokesperson Beth Kaufman…
Secretary of State Spokesperson Beth Kaufman. The campaign kicks off on Black Friday at malls in Springfield, Chicago, Fairview Heights, Peoria, Rockford and Schaumburg. It will continue at other shopping centers around the state for the rest of the holiday season.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is asking for the public’s help in solving a stabbing that left a student hurt early Thanksgiving morning near campus. Officials said the stabbing was the result of a physical fight that happened in the area of Green and Fourth Streets. Their initial investigation determined that the student approached another man around 2 a.m. The two exchanged words before the student swung his fist at the man; the man dodged the punch and responded by hitting the student with a sharp object. The man fled the scene while the student was taken to a local hospital; the student is expected to be ok.
(Paxton-jm) – The City of Paxton will be kicking off the Christmas holiday season this weekend. The first event is the tree lighting set for tonight says PRIDE in Paxton Director Teri Hancock…
PRIDE in Paxton Director Teri Hancock. Tomorrow will be the annual Christmas parade slated to start at 1:30.We will be broadcasting live tonight from the Tree lighting and also the parade live on Saturday afternoon.
(Undated-jm) – The median price of Illinois homes sold in October 2022 rose in comparison to October 2021, as year-over-year inventory decreased, according to data from Illinois REALTORS. The average Illinois home sold in 28 days in October 2022, the same as in October 2021. Statewide home sales in October 2022 totaled 11,490 homes sold, down 27.9 percent from 15,945 in October 2021. The statewide median price went up 0.8 percent to $249,000 in October 2022 compared to $247,000 in October 2021. The number of homes for sale statewide was 26,422 in October 2022 compared to 31,445 in October 2021, an inventory decline of 16.0 percent.
(Peoria-jm) – OSF Healthcare has announced they will be increasing the minimum wage starting next week at all of their facilities. The new minimum wage will go up from $15 an hour to $16 an hour. The healthcare group says all staff will see an increase in their pay.
(Washington-jm) – How do you safely handle those turkey, ham and beef leftovers? Gary Crawford reports…
(Undated-jm– Holiday shopping gets underway in earnest this weekend with many expected to visit brick-and-mortar stores in Illinois. The National Retail Federation predicts over 166 million people will shop from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, which is 8 million more than last year. A survey from NRF showed Black Friday continues to be the most popular day to shop, with 69% (114.9 million) planning to shop then, followed by 38% (63.9 million) on Cyber Monday. The NRF survey showed that 60% of holiday shoppers had started browsing and buying for the season as of early November. A forecast earlier this month from NRF projected holiday sales during November and December will grow between 6% and 8% over 2021 to between $942.6 billion and $960.4 billion.
(Springfield-jm) – The holiday shopping season is ripe for cyber fraud. The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology has some tips to protect yourself and your money. Criminals are getting better and better at making bogus emails and texts look like they are from well known companies. Chief Security Officer Adam Ford says additionally…
Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology Chief Security Officer Adam Ford. Ford also recommends keeping a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any disparities and think before you click on any link or website.
(Urbana-jm) – The COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain issues for the construction field. It is because of all these unavoidable circumstances that Hotel Royer, formerly known as the Landmark Hotel in Urbana, is behind schedule. Icon Hospitality, the owner of Hotel Royer, says all construction should be done by May 30th, 2023. They are asking the city of Urbana for an extra eight month extension in case of any more unavoidable delays. Without the eight month extension, the tax increment financing, or TIF funds that equal $5.5 million, is in jeopardy.
(Cissna Park-jm) – This weekend marks the unofficial start to the Christmas holiday season. Cissna Park has a full day of activities planned tomorrow. Marti Maul talks about what is happening…
Cissna Park Christmas Spokesperson Marti Maul.
(Danville-jm) – The head of the Vermilion County health department has resigned. Doug Toole resigned unexpectedly. Vermilion County Health Department Director of Environmental Health Jana Messmore was named the new interim administrator for the department. Toole had been public health administrator since 2016.
(Mahomet-jm) – A Michigan man is facing child sex charges in Champaign County. Nathan Baker of Westland Michigan is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and several counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Police say Baker assaulted the girl back in 2012, when she was under the age of 13. A warrant had been issued for Baker back in 2021, but detectives recently learned he was in custody in Michigan. Baker’s bond was set at $20,000 and the judge agreed to let him leave the state to live and work in Michigan while the case is pending. He is due back in court December 21st.
(Washington-jm) – The two major countries on the Iberian Peninsula are the focus of USDA’s latest agriculture trade mission, scheduled to take place next week. Rod Bain reports…
(Paxton–jc) – Shopping local is the theme for the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce this holiday season. Chamber President Austin Curtis says buying the items from a local business supports everything from roads to local sports teams…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis
The City of Paxton will hold their annual tree lighting tonight at 7 pm.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Rantoul Masonic Lodge on Saturday from 10-2.
The 2022 Paxton Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday at 1:30 pm. The theme is Home for the Holidays.
