(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders had a busy afternoon and evening Thursday. Crews were called to a semi accident on I-57 southbound near mile marker 263 just after 3pm after a semi lost control and struck a guardrail causing it to block both lanes and puncturing the fuel tank. Traffic had to be diverted at Buckley for several hours. Then around 7pm, crews were called to a single vehicle rollover accident on Route 115 at 600 north. There’s no word on if there were any injuries in either incident.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers approved updates to the Safe-T Act Thursday, attempting to clarify the controversial law. The revisions address what happens when the no cash bail provision of the act takes effect January 1st, when exactly police can arrest someone for trespassing and more. During a long debate, Glenview Representative Jennifer Gong Gershowitz reminded her colleagues why the act is needed, to fix what she calls a broken justice system…
State Representative Jennifer Gong Gershowitz of Glenview. Opponents argue that even with the changes, the Safe-T Act and elimination of cash bail will harm public safety. That wasn’t the only big vote Thursday to come out of Springfield. Illinois House lawmakers approved a plan to use state revenues to pay down the remaining $1.4 billion in debt taken on by the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 1698 is the final step in paying down approximately $4.5 billion in debt to the federal government that the state’s unemployment trust fund incurred since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders shut down the state’s economy and sent unemployment rates skyrocketing. State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur…
State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur.
(Campustown-jm) – A business near the University of Illinois was robbed out of almost $40,000 after police said several of their checks were stolen from the mail and altered. The checks are believed to have been stolen at some point after they were dropped off at the post office at Third and Green Streets. Police said the amounts and payee information on the checks were altered and were then illegally cashed. The business had eight checks stolen and altered.
(Paxton-jm) – This week’s Scott’s Tips for Success has to do with holiday safety. Scott Allen with Paxton Hardware and Rental has these tips…
Paxton Hardware and Rental’s Scott Allen. We’ll have more previews of Scott’s show on our news at noon, 4 and 5. You can hear Scott’s Tips for Success Saturday morning during On the Sidelines around 7:30.
(Urbana–jc) Another threat to students and teachers at Urbana High School has led to an arrest. Police say that a 16 year old Urbana High School student was taken into custody on Wednesday. The threats included a bomb threat. The teen was also charged with aggravated battery to a police officer after police say she struck an officer during the arrest. Anyone with information about the threats at Urbana High School are asked to call Urbana Police at 217-384-2320 or report information to Champaign County Crime Stoppers.
(Washington-jm) – How did a month-over-month decline in what crop producers received for prices for their commodIties impact USDA's latest Agricultural Prices index? Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced the state has been awarded $86 million in federal funding to strengthen the state’s public health workforce and infrastructure. IDPH officials said the CDC funds will support efforts to promote and protect health and address health disparities in communities throughout Illinois. The funding from the American Rescue Plan Act will support efforts to recruit, retain, and train the public health workforce, including frontline workers such as epidemiologists, contact tracers, laboratory scientists, and community health workers.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers approved updates to the Safe-T Act Thursday, attempting to clarify the controversial law. The changes spell out when police can arrest someone for trespassing, what will happen to people currently in jail when the cash bail system ends January 1st, and the standards for detaining someone accused of a crime. Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis says the act still doesn’t do enough to protect the public and reminds the law is being challenged in court…
State Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis. Supporters say the Safe-T Act, and especially eliminating cash bail is needed to improve equity in the justice system. It’s now up to the Governor to sign these revisions into law. Also at the capitol, Illinois House lawmakers approved a plan to use state revenues to pay down the remaining $1.4 billion in debt taken on by the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 1698 is the final step in paying down approximately $4.5 billion in debt to the federal government that the state’s unemployment trust fund incurred since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders shut down the state’s economy and sent unemployment rates skyrocketing. State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian was one of those House Republicans who worked on the bill and spoke in favor of it on the House floor…
State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.
(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man has been sentenced to 30 months probation for having a gun with a defaced serial number. Adrian Rangel pleaded guilty to that charge in Champaign County court. In exchange for his guilty plea, more serious charges of firing a stolen gun in December 2021.
(Paxton–jc) The Shops and business owners continue to be ready for this current holiday shopping period. The new Streetscape program and re-development of dozens of businesses in Paxton has caused excitement for local brick and mortar businesses, says Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack. A four day holiday bag sale starts today in the city. The four day event also has a 3 hour kick off event…tis the season to shop Paxton event on Friday from 5pm to 8pm WPXN will be broadcast live on Friday at 5 in downtown Paxton.
(Urbana-jm) – A University of Illinois student is out of $90,000 after University Police said they were scammed by someone on the phone. Officials said that the student received a string of calls throughout November from someone claiming to be a representative of the Chinese Embassy. The caller told the student that their passport was connected to international crime and threatened the student with deportation. The student paid off the threat on November 21 after two-and-a-half weeks’ worth of calls.
(Washington-jm) – For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency is announcing proposed blending volumes under its Renewable Fuel Standard for multiple years. Rod Bain reports…
The Cissna Park FFA Scholarship Auction will take place this evening with dinner at 4pm and the auction starting at 6pm
The 2022 Light Up Rantoul Christmas parade will take place tonight at 6 pm.
Parkland College’s Staerkel Planetarium Kaler Lecture Series will be held tonight with U of I Entomology Professor Nicholas Anderson talking about Trophic Interactions Among Insects starting at 7 pm. Cost is $2.
The Paxton Business Open House and Bag sale will take place today through Monday.
The Paxton Park District will hold their breakfast with Santa on Saturday from 8 to 10 am at the Paxton Civic Center.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service’s Cookies with Santa will take place on Saturday from 1-2:30 at their station at 134 W. State Street. Bring your kids to visit with Santa and get cookies. The event is free.
Thawville will host their lighted Christmas parade on Saturday starting at 5pm.
The Gibson Area Music Foundation will hold their performance of Messiah on Sunday at 3pm at the Gibson City Bible Church.
