(Springfield-jm) – Illinois workers saw more than 7% pay growth in February compared to the previous February, new data shows. ADP recently released its February 2023 National Employment Report and the accompanying Pay Insights, which measures job and pay growth, respectively. The reports found that Illinois workers who stayed in their role for the previous 12 months had a median salary of $59,300, a 7.6% increase from February of 2022. These stats compare to a national median salary of $57,600 and median pay growth of 7.2% for job stayers.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is calling on major pharmacies to clarify their positions on making abortion medication accessible to customers. Governor Pritzker and 14 of his counterparts in other states want to hear from companies like CVS, Target, Walmart and Kroger about where they stand…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. That one is Walgreens, which announced that stores in certain states will not dispense abortion medication. The Governor has called that deeply concerning.

 

(Springfield-jm) – As Illinois gaming revenues soar to record highs in 2022, so has gambling debt. In Illinois, 400,000 people have a gambling problem and another 700,000 are at risk for developing a problem. Like any other addiction, a gambling addiction will only get worse unless the person faces up to it and gets help. Call the anonymous hotline 1-800-GAMBLER anytime to talk to a trained counselor.

 

(Springfield-jm) – This winter has been the 8th warmest on record in Illinois. For weather purposes, winter runs December through February. State Climatologist Trent Ford says the average statewide temperature during that time was 33 point 7 degrees. Nearly 4 degrees above normal…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. Ford says because of the mild temps, the emergence of perennials is about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Average statewide precipitation was about 3 quarters of an inch above normal, making this winter the 34th wettest on record in Illinois.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for indecent solicitation of a minor. Michael Holt received the sentence in Champaign County court. In exchange for his guilty plea, a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and a separate 2018 case of residential burglary and theft were dismissed.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  A new concert venue is coming to the city of Paxton. The business is called “The Cadillac” as the building was home to a car dealership. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about the surrounding businesses and what another new business means for the city of Paxton…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department says they responded to two separate incidents of Dominoes drivers being carjacked and robbed on March 8 and 10. A delivery driver stated that four men in masks approached and threatened him while he was working as a delivery driver near the intersection of Bradley Ave. and McKinley Ave. around 7:40 pm on March 8. The suspects robbed him of his phone, wallet, and vehicle. Around 6:27 pm on March 10, Champaign police received a report of a robbery and carjacking in the 1900 block of Meadow Dr. to another Dominoes driver. The driver stated that two men in masks approached him with a pistol and robbed him, stealing his vehicle and leaving the area.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Jury selection gets underway for the so-called “ComEd Four” accused of funneling money and job contracts to Michael Madigan’s associates in an effort to influence the former Speaker of the House. Long time Madigan confidante Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore (pram-ah-jor-ee), former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and ex-City Club president Jay Doherty have all pleaded not guilty of the charges.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Legislation advancing at the Illinois statehouse would get motorists in hot water for letting their pet ride on the driver’s lap.  House Bill 2910 provides that a person who holds an animal in the person’s lap while operating a motor vehicle is guilty of a petty offense. The bill’s sponsor, state Representative Jawaharial Williams of Chicago, said pets aren’t covered under distracted driving laws. Williams cited a AAA survey that showed that 31% of drivers with pets said they have been distracted by their pets while driving, and 20% of drivers who have admitted to driving with the pet on their lap have been involved in accidents. Offenders would be subject to a $50 fine. The measure moved out of the transportation committee and is headed to the House floor. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Tuesday was Equal Pay Day. Equal Pay Day marks how much longer a woman must work to match what a man made the previous year. On average, women earn 84 cents for every dollar a male gets. Representative Anna Moeller of Elgin says this can have long term economic effects…

 

 

State Representative Anna Moeller of Elgin. Moeller says wage discrepancies are even broader for minority women.

 

(Milford-jm) – A former University of Illinois employee has been sentenced to a 2nd chance program after she fraudulently used her university credit card for personal purchases. Rebecca Nash of Milford received the sentence after pleading guilty to credit card fraud. Nash used her university credit card to make several personal purchases. In total, she still owes the university $10,446 which will be taken out of her retirement. If she completes the terms of the 2 year program, she will have no criminal record.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The village of Rantoul is undertaking a “streetscape” program for the downtown area. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the investment to the downtown area is over 5 and one half million dollars…

 

 

Rantoul Village Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

(Champaign-jm) – To commemorate the achievements and contributions of older adults, State Senator Paul Faraci is asking residents to submit their nominations for the 2023 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame. The Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame celebrates outstanding accomplishments in community service, education, the labor force and the arts. Eligibility is based on an individual’s past and present accomplishments, and the candidate must be a current Illinois citizen or a former citizen for most of their life. Posthumous nominees are also considered. Nominations for 2023 inductees must be submitted by June 1.

 

(Washington-jm) – The world is producing more wheat than expected, especially one major wheat growing nation. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

WPXN News notes…

The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, March 16th from 5-7 pm at their station located at 134 W. State Street. Cost is $10 for adults, $6 for kids 6-13. Deliveries are available in town by calling 217-202-6441.