(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man is dead following a motorcycle crash Thursday afternoon. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup identified the victim as 58 year old Terry Rabbers. The accident happened in the 600 block of West Liberty Drive in Rantoul. An autopsy is scheduled for today.
(Paxton–jc) A second annual “Fun”raiser for the Paxton Park District Pool is set for Sunday in the city. The pool re opened last year year, but needed numerous upgrades and dollars to update the local facility. Pool fundraiser spokesperson Tessa Pilcher talks about helping the pool starting one year ago…
She goes on to say food, bounce houses and a foam party are planned for Sunday…
Paxton Pool fundraiser Spokesperson Tessa Pilcher. The public is invited to the fundraiser on Sunday at the pool from 11am until 3pm.
(Springfield-jm) – Lawmakers continue crafting a measure to allow public restrooms in Illinois to be converted to gender neutral multi-occupancy facilities. The House narrowly passed House Bill 1286 in March. The measure allows for public restrooms to be converted to gender neutral as long as there are stall dividers with a locking mechanism, vending devices for menstruation supplies and a small trash receptacle in each toilet stall. The Senate is poised to amend the bill to require stalls be fully enclosed in such facilities and that urinals be removed with Democrats saying they are offensive.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois public school children will learn more about Native Americans under a bill headed to the Governor’s desk. The new curriculum would cover the history of Native Americans, the genocide and discrimination they have faced, their contributions to society and current culture. Supporters say these are important lessons, but some, like Senator Seth Lewis of Barlett argue that schools already have too many mandates…
State Senator Seth Lewis of Barlett. It’s up to the Governor to sign this bill into law. If that happens, it will take effect in the 2024-2025 school year.
(Springfield-jm) – A measure that has passed through the Illinois Senate would allow for individuals who have been convicted of a felony to be able to serve as executors for someone else's estate. House Bill 1268 as amended by the Senate would allow for people with previous felony convictions to act as executors as long as that estate acknowledges that they know the executor is a convicted felon. The measure would exclude felons convicted of financial crimes and crimes related to the elderly.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are voting to look into revamping the official state flag. The current flag is white and features the state seal, an eagle, a prairie and the sun rising over the water. Some say it’s time for an overhaul, a new depiction that better represents Illinois. The legislature passed a bill creating a commission to study the issue. Springfield Senator Doris Turner says there has already been a lot of excitement about the prospect of a redesign…
State Senator Doris Turner of Springfield. Opponents raised concerns about the cost of replacing state flags. The Governor will have to sign the bill into law.
(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois lawmaker is seeking to provide better access to testing classes for nursing and social service students at the state's public universities. The proposal introduced by state Representative La Shawn Ford, of Chicago, would have Illinois public universities pay for testing for licensing programs and graduate courses. Ford is seeking to include the plan as part of next year's budget that begins July 1. He estimates it will cost around $10 million. The exam prep offered would apply to real estate, nursing, EMTs and social work, among other professional licenses the state provides.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House Transportation Committee Thursday passed a Senate Joint Resolution, sponsored by State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian to honor the life and public service of Senator Scott Bennett. SJR32 designates Interstate 74 east of US 45 in Champaign-Urbana to the Indiana border as the "Senator Scott M. Bennett Memorial Highway"...
State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.
(Paxton-jm) – A Melvin man was arrested for allegedly trying to meet a minor for sex in Paxton. Cecil Zeck was arrested by Paxton police after he allegedly agreed to meet a minor at the Paxton Hardees. Zeck was charged with traveling to meet a minor, exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and solicitation of a minor.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA has announced grant funding for local projects to boost participation in USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Gary Crawford reports…
(Washington-jm) – The world's corn growers may end up with a huge amount of product to market during this coming marketing year. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – With today being the last scheduled day for the spring session at the Illinois Statehouse, lawmakers have yet to reveal a state budget for taxpayers to review. Last year's budget was over 3,000 pages and was presented by the Democratic majority to Republicans at the last moment, giving the public no time to review it. Governor J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal includes nearly $50 billion in state spending, an increase to the state’s annual spending by $3 billion. Revenue estimates were revised downward this month. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability said April receipts fell $1.8 billion compared to the same month the year prior.
(Springfield-jm) – Supporters of a long awaited south suburban airport have renewed hope this year. Legislation headed to the Governor’s desk requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to set up a pre qualification process for interested developers. Senator Mike Hastings of Frankfort says the need for a cargo airport is great, since the area has seen immense growth in the past decade…
State Senator Mike Hastings of Frankfort. Opponents worry about the potential noise and pollution that would come from an airport in Peotone.
(Springfield-jm) – A measure allowing gun manufacturers and others associated with the industry to be sued using consumer fraud and deceptive practices allegations is closer to the governor. Attorney General Kwame Raoul supports House Bill 218, which among other things allows lawsuits for marketing firearms to children. Another provision makes it unlawful for the gun industry to advertise what could appear to support “unlawful paramilitary or private militia activity.” Opponents pushed back and said the vagueness of the overall proposal likely will lead to court involvement challenging the bill if it were to become law. Raoul said courts do that all the time.
(Springfield-jm) – One item that won’t make it out of the Spring legislative session, a bill to help the Chicago Bears with the planned relocation to Arlington Heights. Supporters say the legislation still needs work and that negotiations will continue over the summer. It currently creates a three dollar per ticket tax on games and events at the proposed facility. That money would be used to pay back the 640 million dollars owed the City of Chicago for the last renovation of Soldier Field. Representative Kam Buckner says he appreciates that the debt is addressed in the bill…
State Representative Kam Buckner. The issues include freezing the property tax assessment on the site and sales tax revenue for local communities.
(Springfield-jm) – Opposition is growing over a piece of legislation advancing in Springfield that would allow for punitive damages in wrongful death cases. The Illinois House passed House Bill 219, which would reverse current law that prohibits insurers from paying punitive damages in wrongful death cases. Many states that do allow for punitive damages also limit both punitive and non-economic damages in some way, which Illinois does not. A coalition of business groups, including the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Manufacturers Association and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, have voiced opposition to the measure. Insurance groups, including the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the Illinois Insurance Association, have also criticized the bill. Illinois and the counties of Cook, St. Clair and Madison, ranked No. 5 this year on the American Tort Reform Association’s “Judicial Hellhole” list, saying the state's tort costs cost the state more than 140,000 jobs and nearly $9.6 billion in wages and $27.5 billion in economic output annually.
(Springfield-jm) – Legal challenges over the state’s gun ban continue to play out in the courts. However, there was some recent news that has Republican lawmakers concerned. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – A man has been convicted of attempted murder in a mistaken identity shooting that injured a Champaign couple. A Champaign County jury convicted Kenichi Townsend, 27, of Champaign of the September 8 attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. The jury took less than 90 minutes to agree that Townsend was working with co-defendant Shamario Brown when they opened fire on a vehicle on Heritage Drive. The shooting left a 76-year-old man and his 75-year-old wife injured. The jury ruled Townsend personally fired a gun that caused great bodily harm to the couple. Sentencing is set for July 7.
(Washington-jm) – 2024 could be another year of declining U.S. meat production. Gary Crawford reports…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
Gibson City spring garage sales will take place today and tomorrow.
The Rantoul Police Department will be participating in the Cop on a rooftop today from 5-noon at the Rantoul Dunkin Donuts. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry this afternoon from 3:30-5:30 at the Roberts Gym.
The Onarga American Legion will hold their fish fry this evening from 4:30-7 pm at the legion hall at Durham Park.
Gibson City will hold their Friday night cruise night this evening from 6-10 pm.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting PBL Youth Football on Saturday from 10-2.
Paxton will hold their Draggin 'Main on Saturday from 3-8 pm.
The Paxton Buckley Loda High School Band will host their 23rd annual Salute to Veterans Concert on Saturday at 7 pm. A lasagna dinner by the band parents association will be held from 5-6:30. Cost of the dinner is $7. The concert is free.
