(Springfield-jm) – With a new electric vehicle rebate program set to open today in Illinois, some have questioned the taxpayer cost of the growing industry. During last week’s Senate Executive Appointments Committee, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Electric Vehicle Coordinator Megha Lakhchaura said $12 million in taxpayer funding will be available in rebates beginning November 1. For the first round that ended costing taxpayers $20 million, she assured the focus was first on low income applicants. Republicans expressed concerns about the amount of taxpayer money going to a growing industry.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) – The final mapping session for the city of Paxton is tomorrow night. The sessions are put on by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. During the last session last week, community members chose what action group they wanted to be a part of: housing, business support and development, infrastructure and parks and recreation and festivals and events. Out of those four groups, 2 members were chosen to be a part of the coordinating counsel, says Mapping Manager Gisela Hamm…

 

 

Mapping Manager Gisela Hamm. Again the final session is tomorrow night from 5:30-8:30. Representatives from state and regional agencies will be available to discuss grants and other opportunities to reach the goals the groups have identified as priorities. The public is invited to attend.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Park District has announced that due to a medical issue affecting the artist, the Buddy Guy: Damn Right Farewell concert has to be rescheduled. The concert that was to take place at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign on Wednesday, November 8th will now take place on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.. Patrons who have previously purchased tickets to the November 2023 concert should hold on to their tickets. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Property tax relief is a big concern for Illinoisans. Lawmakers returned to the state capitol for the veto session. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington says he was disappointed it wasn’t brought up when they were in session…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci of Champaign was proud to accept the 2023 Legislator of the Year award from the Illinois Association of School Social Workers.  The Illinois Association of School Social Workers is the largest school social work organization in the world. Each year they honor legislators in Illinois who have worked hard to promote and advocate for students in the public education system. Senator Faraci sponsored House Bill 3680, which takes effect January 1, 2024. Under Faraci’s measure, extra accommodations needed for a student during emergencies must be taken into account when developing their IEP or a federal Section 504 plan. It also requires administrators and school support personnel to include a student's IEP team or Section 504 plan team when making a decision about whether to exclude the student from a walk-through lock down drill.

 

(Gilman–jc)  One Iroquois County Business is starting to gear up for a Holiday Open house this weekend. The Gathering in Gilman’s Jody Thompson says this coming weekend is a big one at the store to start Christmas shopping…

 

 

The Gathering in Gilman’s Spokesperson Jody Thompson

 

(Washington-jm) – What is expected to be this winter season's major weather pattern is forecasted to resemble what occurred weather-wise five years ago. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – A full month into Illinois’ gun ban registry and about 24,000 individuals have disclosed they own at least one banned firearm, attachment or some prohibited ammunition. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says it’s “been slow, but steady.”  For the registry that opened October 1, Illinois State Police report 2,430 individuals disclosed possessing nearly 4,600 banned firearms, around 2,400 banned attachments and 44 disclosures of possessing banned .50 caliber ammunition. With more than 2.4 million Firearm Owners ID card holders, that makes just one-tenth of a percent of FOID card holders registering banned arms. ISP will be holding three public hearings about the law over the next week. 

The first will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Springfield at the state capitol complex. The second hearing will be  at 9:30 a.m. Friday in Chicago with a third hearing being Monday morning in Caseyville.

 

(Woodworth-jm) – The 12th annual Ford-Iroquois 4-H Foundation auction will take place Sunday, November 12th at St. Paul's Lutheran  School in Woodworth. Ford Iroquois Foundation President Nita Dubble talks about the reason behind the auction…

 

 

Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Dubble.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A program that helps provide scholarships for low income students to get a good education in Illinois is at risk. The Invest for Kids program is set to expire at the end of the year unless the General Assembly acts, says 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department recovered several drugs and a stolen firearm during an early morning traffic stop on Monday. Urbana Police pulled a car over at the intersection of University Avenue and Orchard Street after witnessing a traffic violation around 12:10 a.m. The driver of the car was identified as 19-year-old Danielle Hoffman and the passenger was 53-year-old Robert Hunter. Both occupants were from Rantoul.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Service Club continues to be on the search for a City of Paxton Christmas tree. The chosen tree will be placed in the downtown area of the city, decorated and lit on Friday November 24th. Paxton Service Club Spokesperson Judy Ondercho says as a tree is offered to the city, service club members and workers from E-I-E-C make the decision based on beauty and accessibility…

 

 

Paxton Service Club Spokesperson Judy Ondercho. Anyone wishing to potentially offer a tree is asked to call any Paxton Service Club Member or contact city hall. 

 

(Washington-jm) – What will be the predominant weather pattern for our country this winter, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s outlook? Rod Bain reports…