(Springfield-jm) – A new ruling overrides an injunction that was placed by a downstate judge on enforcement of Illinois' weapons ban. Last week, Judge Stephen McGlynn of the Southern District of Illinois granted a statewide injunction against Illinois' weapons ban. The injunction blocked enforcement of the controversial ban. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Circuit Judge Frank Easterbrook granted a stay on the injunction on Thursday afternoon. This stay means that enforcement of the ban is back in effect. The ban, which was signed by Governor JB Pritzker back in January, ended the sale, delivery, and purchase of certain firearms and high-capacity magazines.
(Springfield-jm) – Tax revenues collected by the state of Illinois for the month of April declined by more than $1.8 billion. The monthly report from the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability said general fund revenues took a "dramatic turn" last month, dropping more than 21% compared to the same month in 2022. The declines erased nearly all of the growth accrued throughout the fiscal year, the agency said.
(Springfield-jm) – A group of Senate lawmakers is hi-liting legislation aimed at preventing Fentanyl related deaths in Illinois. One measure requires all public high school students enrolled in health class to learn about the dangers of Fentanyl, says Senator Laura Ellman of Naperville…
State Senator Laura Ellman of Naperville. Another bill requires large music venues to have opioid overdose medication on hand while a third makes Fentanyl test strips more available.
(Champaign-jm) – A Kentucky man was arrested at State Farm Center after U of I Police officials said he was involved in a physical altercation with a security guard. Officials said Brandon Wahler of Owensboro, Kentucky, was attending The Kid Laroi’s concert when he started pushing other concertgoers. When a security guard approached Wahler to speak to him about this behavior, officials accused Wahler of trying to punch the guard in the face. Wahler was arrested and taken to the Champaign County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of aggravated assault.
(Springfield-jm) – The “ComEd Four” were found guilty by a federal jury on all counts this week for their involvement in multi-year scheme to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and influence legislation in Springfield. Dean Abbott reports…
(Champaign-jc) – Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs will deliver the keynote address during Parkland College’s 2023 Commencement Exercises, Thursday, May 11, at 8pm at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Frerichs has served as Illinois State Treasurer since he was first elected in 2014, and he is the 74th person to serve in this role. He was born and raised in the farming community of Gifford. After graduating from Yale University, he spent two years in Taiwan, where he taught English to young students and learned to speak Chinese. He returned to Champaign County and launched his own technology business. He was elected to the Champaign County Board and elected as the county’s auditor. He also served as a volunteer firefighter.
(Rantoul–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is E T’s Restaurant downtown Rantoul. E T’s is known for brisket, the classic atmosphere business has become a “must stop” lunch and dinner spot in the village. The business is in its 4th year and had a great start, survived during covid and has become a favorite local restaurant…
Popular local business owner Eric Thompson started E T’s in 2019 and with the success of the restaurant, expanded the site in downtown Rantoul…
E T’s Restaurant downtown Rantoul, the WPXN Business of the Day, today
The Battle Creek Country Band will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday. Cost is $10 for adults 13 and older. Doors open at 5:30 with the concert beginning at 7.
(Aurora-jm) – An Aurora man is charged with threatening the life of Governor J.B. Pritzker. The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office said 46-year-old Steven Woletz has been charged with threatening a public official. Woletz allegedly called the governor’s office last month and left a message full of expletives and threatened to kill Pritzker. Illinois State Police located Woletz and took him into custody. He has since been released on bond.
(Springfield-jm) – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that qualified Illinois consumers who were deceived into paying for tax services that were available for free will soon receive settlement checks from a multistate settlement with TurboTax's owner, Intuit. Under the bipartisan settlement announced in May 2022, Intuit will pay $141 million as restitution to millions of Americans, including more than $4.38 million to more than 143,000 affected Illinoisans. Eligible consumers will be contacted by email, and checks will be mailed throughout the month of May. Those eligible for settlements include those who paid to file their federal tax returns through TurboTax for tax years 2016, 2017 and 2018 but were eligible to file for free through the IRS Free File Program.
(Springfield-jm) – 12 officers killed in the line of duty last year were honored at the annual Illinois Police Memorial Ceremony in Springfield Thursday. The event is held on the lawn of the state capitol, near the memorial where the names of the fallen police are etched. Their families attended, along with officers from all over the state. Governor J-B Pritzker spoke to the crowd…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Among those honored, Ford County Sheriff Deputy Brian Norton.
(Urbana-jm) – Urbana police have announced the arrest of a 19-year-old for attempted first-degree murder in connection with a stabbing in Urbana. Authorities said on Wednesday, May 3 officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Vawter Street at 11:29 a.m. for a reported stabbing. Officers arrived and found a 36-year-old Urbana man who had been stabbed in the face. Nikya Humbles was arrested for attempted first-degree murder.
(Springfield-jm) – The state is recognizing the state’s pork production. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Urbana-jm) – A former University of Illinois student was arrested in Florida after U of I Police officials said he threatened violence at the university on the social media platform Reddit. Officials said Jonathan Zheng was arrested at his home in the Tampa suburb of Wesley Chapel. When questioned by members of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, officials said Zheng admitted to writing a post on Reddit that caused concern Monday night. A Reddit user alerted U of I Police to a post on the UIUC Subreddit that threatened, among other things, that the anonymous poster would “shoot up the school.” Following his arrest, Zheng was booked into the Pasco County Jail on a preliminary charge of writing threats to kill or conduct a mass shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and U of I Police are working with federal authorities to explore additional charges against Zheng.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
Cissna Park will hold townwide garage sales today and tomorrow.
Lake Iroquois Garage Sales will take place today from 8-5 and Saturday from 8-1.
Parkland Motorsports will host cars and coffee at Parkland College Saturday. This free event will take place in the W2 parking lot on the west side of the college campus from 8 to 11 a.m.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree on Saturday from 10-2.
Parkland College’s Perimeter Road 3rd Annual Music Festival, Saturday beginning at noon in the B1 parking lot at the Parkland campus.
The Battle Creek Country Band will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday. Cost is $10 for adults 13 and older. Doors open at 5:30 with the concert beginning at 7.
