(Springfield-jm) – A cancer organization says the Illinois General Assembly missed an opportunity during the spring session to lessen the burden of cancer on Illinoisans. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network was hoping for a comprehensive paid medical and family leave bill that provides family leave insurance benefits to eligible employees in Illinois. They were looking to set up a program where a person could take a longer extended period of time off and have job security, your job would be waiting for you when you got back, but also where you could draw a paycheck at the same time. Opponents of the cancer paid time off said such legislation would place even more burdens on Illinois small businesses trying to recover from the pandemic.

 

(Springfield-jm) – It’s soon going to be a speedier trip on Amtrak’s Lincoln Service from Chicago to St. Louis. Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Paul Wappel says thanks to the route’s high speed rail project, passenger trains will now reach 110 miles per hour…

 

 

IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. The nearly two billion dollar project also included major safety improvements at over 200 grade crossings to help prevent vehicle and pedestrian collisions on the tracks.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Scott Eisenhower has resigned as Rantoul’s village administrator following his arrest on domestic battery charges. WAND reports Eisenhower submitted his resignation before last night's monthly board meeting. Eisenhower was arraigned Tuesday on three charges, each of which carries a penalty of a year behind bars.He has been the village administrator since November 2018. The Rantoul Village board has yet to accept the resignation.

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign woman has been arrested following an investigation into a May 24 shooting incident on Providence Circle. Upon arrival, officers located a 28-year-old male victim from Champaign with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. The investigation indicates that a fight was taking place between multiple people when 27-year-old Gennell Carter-Tucker fired multiple rounds toward the crowd, striking one person before fleeing the area. Yesterday, members of the United States Marshals assisted Champaign Police in arresting Carter-Tucker on a warrant for her involvement in this incident. She remains in the custody of the Champaign County Correctional Center on charges of Attempted First Degree Murder.

 

(Washington-jm) – It's big, powerful and could do a number on crops in the central U.S. What is it? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man is facing a plethora of charges. Tyderious Hughes is facing charges of armed violence, aggravated possession of two stolen guns, unlawful use of weapons by a felon and possession of a controlled substance after a vehicle Hughes was driving in was pulled over for no rear license plate. Hughes was found in possession of two grams of cocaine, two stolen guns and he also has two warrants out of Mississippi. If convicted of the armed violence charge, he faces 15-30 years in prison.

 

(Melvin–jc)  The Ford County Fair Queen pageant  is set for Monday June 26th. 4 ladies are competing for the crown. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…

 

(Springfield-jm) – Despite the Illinois Constitution prohibiting lawmakers from increasing their pay during the term they were elected, some are wondering how Illinois legislators have received two bumps in pay in the last six months.  In the latest state budget, Illinois lawmakers included a 5.5% pay raise. This is on top of the nearly 17% raise the previous General Assembly that ended January 10 gave the current General Assembly that began January 11.  Despite it being part-time work, Illinois lawmakers will now make nearly $90,000 a year, one of the highest legislative salaries in the country. Members chairing committees or in leadership will make even more. In neighboring Iowa and Missouri, lawmakers make less than $40,000.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new assistance program can help make owning a home possible. It’s called Illinois H-F-A-1 and is run by the State Housing Development Authority. Spokesperson Andrew Field says the program issues eligible buyers 10 thousand dollars towards a down payment and or closing costs…

 

 

Illinois Housing Development Authority Spokesperson Andrew Field. The down payment assistance is provided as an interest free second mortgage with payments deferred for 30 years or until the buyer sells the home. More details are available online at: ihda mortgage dot org.

 

(Danville-jm) – Danville Area Community College received a $200,000 grant from The Old National Bank Foundation to fund their Middle Dropout Prevention Program. The program is known to help high school students that are unsure of their plans after high school, or on the verge of dropping out.

 

(Urbana-jm) – State Representative Carol Ammons has announced she will seek re-election to her house seat. Ammons had announced she would challenge Paul Faraci for the Senate seat once held by Scott Bennett.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA's latest projections for global corn production for this marketing year and next are expected to increase, due to adjustments up for some key producing nations. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict on June 8, against an Urbana man for conspiracy to possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, maintaining drug-involved premises, and possessing a firearm as a felon. Phoutasone Champanine will be sentenced on October 13, at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The Ford County Health Department will hold a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day walk on Thursday, June 15th at 1 pm at South Park in Gibson City.

 

The Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual community appreciation fish fry on Thursday, June 15th at North Park in Gibson City.