(Undated–jc)   Local elections were held on Tuesday around the state of Illinois. In a race for alderman in ward 4 in Paxton, the winner is Kristen Lawson. The winner in a two person race in ward 2 is Joe Reinhart. In Gibson City in ward 2 the winner is Ray Hankes. In the race for Mayor of Melvin, the winner is Austin Fancher. 

In contested races in Iroquois County, Yamei Rohles won a race for Ward 4 alderman in Watseka and Scott Muench won the Watseka alderman race in Ward 1

Some final results in Champaign county were not available at news time this morning, WPXN news will update final results when they are provided. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers that the filing deadline is rapidly approaching. State and federal income tax returns are due April 18th, and by the sound of it, plenty of people still need to file…

 

 

Illinois Department of Revenue Spokesperson Maura Kownacki says the quickest way to get your refund is to e-file an error free return and opt for direct deposit. Taxpayers with simple returns can file for free at: my tax dot illinois dot gov.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court won’t comment on a motion for two of the seven justices on the bench to recuse themselves in a case challenging Illinois’ gun ban. Governor J.B. Pritzker gave more $1 million each to then-justice candidates Elizabeth Rochford and Mary O’Brien. Now seated on the bench of seven, Rochford and O'Brien are set to hear a challenge of the gun ban Pritzker signed on January 10. The plaintiffs in the case have filed a motion for Rochford and O’Brien to recuse themselves from proceedings because of “unreasonably large campaign contributions” and other issues.

 

(Springfield-jm) – March weather gave Illinois a cold, wet start to spring. According to statewide preliminary numbers, March temperatures were about half a degree below normal and precipitation was more than an inch above normal, says State Climatologist Trent Ford…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. Ford says the cooler temps last month were probably a good thing, slowing down early blooming and trees budding. The long-range outlook for April through June is calling for slightly warmer and wetter than normal.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Some Illinois lawmakers are against creating a special commission to look into designing a new state flag. One of those against the idea is 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City who says the General Assembly has other more important issues to focus on…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in solving a car theft that happened in Campustown last month. Officials said that on March 7, two people stole a silver 2011 Toyota Corolla from the area of Sixth and Healey Streets. The car, they said, was left unattended with the keys in the ignition and it has yet to be recovered. It had Illinois license plates of DS45410 and tinted windows on the back and rear passenger windows. Police are asking for help in identifying the car thieves, who were seen on security cameras walking around Campustown before and after the theft. One appeared to be a darker skinned Black male wearing a black mask, black sweatshirt, jeans with red shorts underneath and white shoes. The other appeared to be a lighter skinned Black male wearing a green or gray sweatshirt, jeans, black and white tennis shoes and a black backpack.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Urbana Police need your help identifying a man who used counterfeit money. The police department shared on social media that the man used the counterfeit money to purchase items at a local grocery store. He was seen wearing all-black clothing and a black baseball hat.

 

*Paxton–jc)  Today’s  WPXN’s Business of the Day is  Mom and Pops Kettle Corn Stop in downtown Paxton. The business that started in 2008 as a fundraising group has turned into a popular family brick and mortar business in Paxton says owner Alan Meyer…

 

 

Owner Alan Meyer provides some information about hours of operation at the downtown Paxton store…

 

 

Mom and Pops Kettle Corn Stop Owner Alan Meyer

 

(Springfield-jm) – This is National Minority Health Month. There are several diseases that hit many minority groups harder than whites. They include diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, HIV and infant mortality. That’s why it’s so important that people of color be their own advocate says the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services’ Chief Veronica Halloway…

 

 

Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services’ Chief Veronica Halloway. Halloway says they work closely with community groups to hi-lite immunizations, health screenings and other preventative measures.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Following tornadoes and severe storms that struck throughout Illinois Friday night, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning Illinois residents to be on alert for scammers looking to exploit homeowners and business owners who may be in need of repairs from storm-related damage. Raoul cautioned residents that scammers often move quickly into communities to take advantage of people with damage to their homes or businesses.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Corrections is holding hiring events throughout the state this month. The Department has nearly 30 locations statewide, all with a constant need for corrections officers says Recruitment Coordinator Brittany Ott…

 

 

Illinois Department of Corrections Recruitment Coordinator Brittany Ott. Ott says they’re also looking for nurses, wardens, office associates, social workers and more. Several job fairs are being held throughout April. The best way to find one near you is to follow IDOC’s social media accounts.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in locating a man wanted for sexual crimes. Officials said Kevin Kryzanski of Rantoul is facing a charge of criminal sexual abuse, with bond set at $100,000. Kryzanski is described as being a 48-year-old White male with blonde hair and blue eyes. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds.

 

(Springfield-jm) – 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington is settling into the new role after being selected to replace former Representative and now State Senator Tom Bennett. Representative Bunting says he will have two offices for constituents…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Two people were arrested on Saturday at a University of Illinois bar after police said they were identified as being responsible for two separate battery incidents. Officials named one of them as 22-year-old Dejuon Baltimore, saying that they identified him as the offender in a March 28 battery outside the McDonald’s on Green Street. Officers also arrested 24-year-old Bryce Bradley, who was identified as the aggressor in a fight that happened on March 21. Officials said Bradley is accused of hitting a student in the head outside of Burrito King on Green Street. Both were booked into the Champaign County Jail.

 

(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Police are investigating after a hate crime near campus was reported to them over the weekend. Officials said the crime happened outside Chopstix, located at the intersection of Green and Second Streets, early Sunday morning. A student reported that a group of men directed racial slurs at them, and the student responded by physically engaging the group. The men tried to push the student away several times before one of them punched the student in the face.