(Springfield-jm) – A state lawmaker is looking to make sure the General Assembly operates in the daylight. Representative Mike Coffey of Springfield plans to introduce legislation to limit final legislative votes on bills to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. He says big pieces of legislation, such as the state budget, should not be approved after midnight when most people are asleep. Coffey intends to introduce the legislation in the fall veto session.
(Washington-jm) – Illinois is receiving nearly $8 million to support background checks for gun sales. U-S Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced the state is receiving $7,904,683 in Department of Justice awards to assist state record repositories and state courts in sharing eligible National Instant Criminal Background Check System records to improve the firearm background check system in Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) – Another week of very little rain has led to a decline in Illinois crop conditions. This past week was cooler and drier than normal, with rainfall more than an inch below average for this time of year. That’s left just 33 percent of soybeans and 36 percent of corn in good to excellent condition. Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at the winter wheat crop…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The first cutting of alfalfa hay is nearly complete and four percent of the second cutting is done. Average statewide topsoil moisture dropped to 42 percent very short, 45 percent short and 13 percent adequate.
(Paxton-jm) – The wait is almost over. Kino’s Coffee announced they will open their Paxton location next Tuesday, June 27th. Initially, the store will be open Monday through Friday 6 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 7 am to 2 pm.
(Champaign-jm) – Grammy Award-winning blues icon Buddy Guy is making a stop at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign this fall as part of his farewell tour. The Virginia Theatre shared on their website that at age 86, Guy is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Guy will perform at the Virginia Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8. Tickets range from $69.50-$99.50 in addition to a per-ticket processing fee of $6.50-$8.50. Tickets go on sale for the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 23.
(Roberts-jm) – The village of Roberts will hold their first Roberts Fun Day this Saturday. Spokesperson Cassie Ehman talks about what is taking place…
Roberts Fun Day Spokesperson Cassie Ehman.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign woman is facing an attempted murder charge for a shooting earlier this month. Genell Carter-Tucker was arrested by U-S Marshals in connection to a shots fired incident that injured one person. Bond was set at $1 million.
(Washington-jm) – The Omega Block over the middle of the nation should continue to keep needed moisture away from corn and soybean crops in the area. Rod Bain reports…
(Monticello-IN–jc) – Indiana Beach has been an area attraction since 1926. Indiana Beach Vice President of Marketing Tom Crisci says it started on the beaches of Monticello Indiana and has grown to a popular destination…
He adds that everyone has their favorite attraction…
Indiana Beach Vice President of Marketing Tom Crisci.
WPXN is giving away Indiana Beach tickets all day today.
We also have an interview with Crisci during the noon news today.
(Springfield-jm) – Former Republican state Senator Darren Bailey says he is weighing a 2024 run for Congress that could see him facing off against downstate Republican incumbent Mike Bost. Bailey recently joined former President Donald Trump at a rally in New Jersey soon after the one-time commander-in-chief was hit with a 37 count federal indictment over classified documents, leaving some to speculate that he may be at least a step closer to making his run official. Bost took to social media earlier this month to announce he plans to seek another term.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education wants to make sure students have access to teachers who are well-prepared to lead classrooms. To help with that, the Board is awarding grants to districts that need it the most. $45 million is in the newest state budget to address shortages. The money will go to 170 school districts with the highest count of unfilled teaching positions. 60% are in rural areas, 40% in urban. Once the districts have the money, it’s up to each district to decide how they’ll use it.
(Springfield-jm) – Another week of very little rain has led to a decline in Illinois crop conditions. Rainfall was more than a half inch below normal this past week, dropping average statewide topsoil moisture to 42 percent very short, 45 percent short and 13 percent adequate. That’s taken a toll on crops, says Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Just 17 percent of pasture acreage is rated in good to excellent shape. 13 percent of winter wheat has been harvested. That compares to 17 percent normally. The first cutting of alfalfa is almost done and four percent of the second cutting is now complete.
(Champaign-jm) – In an effort to combat a social media trend that's led to stolen cars across the country, the Champaign Police Department will be offering free steering wheel locks to Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners. The locks will be provided on Saturday, June 24, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the North First Street visitor parking lot adjacent to the Champaign Police Department, 82 E. University Avenue in Champaign. The locks will be free and distributed on a first come, first serve basis to Champaign residents who own Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011-2021 and Hyundai vehicles manufactured 2013-2021. These are the years that the vehicles were built without an engine immobilizer. Owners will need to provide proof of residency in Champaign and current vehicle registration to verify ownership of an affected Hyundai or Kia to receive a free steering wheel lock.
(Springfield-jm) – Summer is here and so is the presence of mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says there have already been some cases reported in the state…
53rd District State Senator Tom Benentt of Gibson City.
(Watseka-jm) – Iroquois County groups wanting to receive federal American Rescue Plan money have until July 3rd to submit their application. Applications can be mailed to the county finance office or emailed to Jill Johnson. Her email is j-johnson at iroquois county il dot gov.
(Washington-jm) – The lead U.S. official to the recent G20 Agricultural Ministers meeting in India provided reporters with a summary of event highlights. Rod Bain reports…
