(Springfield-jm) – Areas of Illinois impacted by recent severe storms and flooding now have until October 31 to file individual and business tax returns. The move is a delay for those affected from storms that started on June 29. The Internal Revenue Service said the recent Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration allowed for the delayed filings. The IRS will also waive the usual fees and requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Senate Republicans are pushing for new regulations to protect minors from harmful consequences of social media addiction. Kids are accessing technology at younger ages. Whether it's picking up your cell phone to play games or using an iPad for school, they are likely spending a significant amount of time online. Companies could be required to identify the purpose for their website, how it uses children's personal information and potential risks of using social media. Although, some are worried the plan could lead to unintended consequences for any business operating on the internet. TechNet, which represents nearly 100 innovative companies, argues that this bill contains vague requirements that provide little or no clarity on compliance with a broad impact.
(Springfield-jm) – Deer hunting season is fast approaching and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding about tree stand safety. During the 2022 hunting season, there were 10 hunting incidents involving tree stands. Spokesperson Hannah Brewer says in all 10 of those incidents not a single person was wearing a fall arrest system…
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Hannah Brewer. Brewer says you should be comfortable with the fall arrest system, make sure it fits and that all the parts are working properly.
(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Police Department responded to a three-vehicle accident on Thursday that also involved a pedestrian being hit. The accident happened at the intersection of Champaign Avenue and Frederick Street just after noon. Police officials said a truck turning left at the intersection was hit by a car heading straight from the opposite direction. As a result, the truck hit a pedestrian and another car, which was stopped while facing south. The driver of one of the vehicles and the pedestrian were taken to the hospital. All three vehicles had to be towed from the scene and the truck driver was given a traffic ticket, officials added.
(Paxton–jc) The look of downtown Paxton continues to see upgrades and improvement with the downtown Streetscape program and Tax Increment Financing district. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says nearly 2 dozen businesses have made improvements with more on the way…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
CHAMPAIGN – In order to complete a pavement patch at 12 Main Street, Illinois American Water and Shaw Brothers will be closing the eastbound lane of Main Street between Neil Street and Fremont Street. The closure will begin on Monday, September 25, and will reopen by Friday, September 29, 2023. During the closure, eastbound traffic will not be allowed between Neil and Fremont. However, the westbound lane will remain open and access will be maintained to all properties.
(Paxton–jc) – When is the best time of year to plant grass? There are two main times of the year, says Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. Allen says the Spring and the fall…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. You can hear more on the subject with Scott Allen on Saturday morning at 7-30am with “Scott’s Tips for Success.”
(Paxton–jc) – Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce. The local chamber is active in supporting and promoting business, consumer traffic and the image of the city. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack says the current board is very active to benefit the city and its residents…
She says the 5th annual Wine and Chocolate Walk is set for October 7th and brings new people and locals to businesses in the city…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack. The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is the WPXN Business of the Day, today
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois has the second highest public sector pension liability per capita, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council. The group reviewed the total amount of pension debt per state and found behind only Alaska's $46,000 each person owes for pensions, Illinois is second worse with each Illinoisans on the hook for nearly $37,000. Nationwide, pension debt totals nearly $7 trillion, or around $21,000 per person.
(Springfield-jm) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is extending and re-designating Venezuela for temporary protected status over the next 18 months. Governor JB Pritzker said that this will help thousands of migrants who have arrived in Illinois over the last year who can also receive work permits within 30 days. This comes less than a month after Pritzker, Senator Dick Durbin, and a coalition of business leaders called on President Joe Biden to step in. More than 13,000 asylum seekers have been sent to Chicago over the past year, but most have struggled to obtain work permits.
(Springfield-jm) – The state is seeking nominations for outstanding teachers. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett explains…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Urbana-jm) – Brian Williams, former anchor of MSNBC's The 11th Hour with Brian Williams and NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, will be on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus for a conversation about the evolution of broadcast news in America on Monday, October 23, 7-8 p.m. The free event is open to the public at the University of Illinois College of Media. Attendees may join the event at the Beckman Institute Auditorium.
(Paxton–jc) An event for Downs Syndrome Awareness is set for Sunday at the Paxton Buckley Loda track at the school on the west side of Paxton. Organizer Darla Schall says the eventis for families and the community…
Paxton Down’s Syndrome Awareness Walk Spokesperson Darla Schall.
(Champaign-jm) – A man who shot and killed someone at the Champaign American Legion in 2021 has been sentenced to 75 years in prison. Davucci Craig of Champaign showed up on the afternoon of July 2, 2021 to the Legion and killed Kieshaun Thatch, 17, a nephew of David Dalton. Dalton is the person the crowd at the Legion was honoring after he was killed in a June 20 shooting. No one has been arrested for Dalton's shooting death.
(Washington-jm) – More milk production and slightly lower prices---that's the forecast for 2024. Gary Crawford reports…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
Parkland College’s Career and Technical Education will host two free career-interest workshops today from 9-12:30.
The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a flu clinic this afternoon from 2-4 pm at the Ford County Public Health Department in Paxton.
The Buckley St. John Lutheran School will host the Fall church and school picnic this evening from 3-7pm. Games for the kids, inflatables, a food stand and more will be available.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting Loda Methodist Men on Saturday from 10-2.
The 55th annual Clinton Apple n Pork Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday from 9-5 both days.
