(Springfield-jm) – President Joe Biden will travel to Illinois Wednesday to deliver a speech on the economy. The White House said Biden’s address in Chicago will be on “Bidenomics,” which is the president’s “vision for growing the economy from the middle out and the bottom up.” While in Chicago, Biden will also participate in a campaign reception. He has been traveling to Democratic strongholds for fundraisers.

 

(Pesotum-jm) – Illinois State Police will be conducting distracted driving enforcement patrols this week. WPXN’s Jason Madden reports…

 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) – Wi-fi will be coming to downtown Paxton. Paxton Main Street was awarded a nearly $30,000 grant from T-Mobile, Friday evening during WCIA’s visit for Our Town Paxton.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched to the 2500 block of W. Springfield Avenue at 11:08 p.m. Saturday, for a report of a Shooting with Injuries. On-scene, officers located a 34-year-old man from Champaign with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where he was initially listed in critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries. The initial investigation indicated that the victim had recently parked his vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Shortly after exiting his vehicle, a suspect approached the victim and fired shots at him. The victim was struck by gunfire and ran to a nearby apartment. Following the shooting, the subject firing the weapon fled the area. No other injuries have been reported in this incident, but damage has been reported to a nearby building.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Strong winds Sunday caused power outages around the area. About 350 Ameren Illinois customers in Paxton lost power after a large tree branch fell on a power line at the intersection of Pells and American. Power was restored after about 4 hours.

 

(Melvin–jc)  The Roots and Boots concert at the Ford County Fair is set for Friday evening. The Fair opened in Melvin yesterday. Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen says preparation for this year’s concert started the day of the show one year ago…

 

 

Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen. Becky Puetz will have a facebook live broadcast tonight for the queen pageant and WPXN will be broadcasting live each day at noon from Tuesday through Friday at the fair in Melvin. 

 

(Urbana-jm) – Residents in Urbana might see a 450% increase on one of their monthly bills next year. The city of Urbana’s Public Works Department is looking to improve and better maintain their Stormwater Asset Management Program, also known as SWAMP. Though this means residents may go from paying just $5.82 a month to $27 a month. Urbana Public Works plans to keep the survey open until the end of July and then based on results make a recommendation to the city council. Once the city council approves an increase it will take effect on January 1st, 2024. Champaign’s stormwater fee was increased 3.5% last year with most residents paying around $6. Their fees will be reviewed again next summer.

 

(Washington-jm) – Friday's USDA cattle feedlot report has some unexpected numbers in it. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois lawmaker wants to limit the time the General Assembly votes on legislation. State Representative Mike Coffey said he plans to introduce a bill that would limit legislative votes to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. He said major pieces of legislation, like the state budget, should not be voted on after hours, because it is important for the public to know what’s going on at the Capitol at all times. Coffey plans to introduce the bill during the fall veto session.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The newest unemployment data has been released. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett has the latest…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Rural Rantoul-jm) – Firefighters from multiple departments battled a barn fire north of Rantoul Friday afternoon. The blaze happened in a barn near 1600 east 3200 north. No word on what caused the fire.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign firefighters battled two fires Friday evening. The first fire was reported just before 5 in a 4th floor apartment of a 5 story apartment building on Columbia Avenue. About an hour later, crews were called to a patio fire at an apartment on Mattis Avenue. No injuries were reported in either fire and the causes of both have not yet been determined.

 

(Watseka-jm) – The Watseka Police Department says they are investigating after they were dispatched to multiple automated bomb threats at businesses Friday. Businesses were evacuated and searched with the help of the Iroquois County Sheriff’s office.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Motor Fuel Tax monies and where to spend them in the city is a topic for Paxton City leaders when they meet in an adjourned session on Tuesday. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says some dollars will also be spent to oil and chip some streets…

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. The council meets in an adjourned session on Tuesday night. 

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign woman faces up to 15 years in prison for drug possession. Alyssa Barton is facing drug charges after police found 23 grams of meth in her possession. If convicted she faces probation to 4-15 years in prison.

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA is putting more money into projects designed to boost U.S. fertilizer production. Gary Crawford reports…