(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. today, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, as well as from 3 p.m. Friday, December 29, to 11:59 p.m. January 1.
(Rantoul–jc) Work on the Prospect Sub-station in the village of Rantoul continues. The project investment by the village is 1 point 8 million dollars. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the upgrades will benefit the businesses in the Industrial Park and others on the west side of town…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Springfield-jm) – The longtime top aide to the former Illinois House Speaker argues a pending U.S. Supreme Court case involving the federal bribery statute could apply to his case even though he was convicted of perjury. Prosecutors claim he has no case. In August, a federal jury found Tim Mapes guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to a grand jury investigating Madigan and others. In November, Mapes' defense attorney asked for an acquittal or a new trial. Prosecutors objected. Now, Mapes has asked a federal judge to stay the proceedings in his case until after the U.S. Supreme Court decides Snyder v. United States, a case that focuses on the federal bribery statute. Mapes faces up to 20 years in prison on the obstruction conviction and five years on the perjury conviction. Prosecutors and Mapes' defense team have yet to file sentencing memos ahead of his sentencing hearing on January 31.
(Washington-jm) – Santa and his reindeer are getting some help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will clear the way for Santa's annual delivery trip. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Human Services will collect data on the frequency of stolen SNAP benefits beginning January 1st after a new law takes effect. Under the new law, IDHS will have the authority to track how often benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are stolen from their rightful recipients.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is investigating after someone pointed what appeared to be a gun at an MTD bus that was running its route. The incident happened near Bradley and Mattis Avenues on Wednesday. Police confirmed that they received a report at 3:30 p.m., suggesting that a man had pointed what appeared to be a gun at the vehicle. The suspect was gone by the time police arrived.
(Paxton–jc) A community blood drive is set for Paxton the day after Christmas. Impact Life Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson says appointments are being taken…
Impact Life Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson
(Undated-jm) – Less than a week after the old representative has left, residents in Champaign and Vermilion Counties have a new Representative in the statehouse. Brandun Schweizer was appointed and sworn into the Illinois House of Representatives Thursday. Marron retired from the Illinois General Assembly Sunday to work as the President and CEO of Vermilion Advantage.
(Undated–jc) With the Christmas Holiday celebrated this weekend, WPXN news asked area civic and business leaders…What is on their Christmas wish list.
That was the question given to Rantoul based Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford…
Rantoul based Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford.
The same question for Buckley Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz…
Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz
(Undated-jm) – Holiday travelers are heading out to airports in big numbers this season, including here in Central Illinois. It’s expected to be so big, the Air Force is opening military air space for commercial flights. The FAA expects record-breaking numbers of people in the skies over the next week. More than three million travelers in Chicago will be passing through O’Hare’s gates from now through the new year. They say the lines may be a little bit longer, so give yourself some extra time when heading to the airport.
(Paxton–jc) With the Pells Park Playground project continuing, another piece of Paxton history is being renovated. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the Pells Park Fire Truck at the playground is getting an upgrade…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Chicago-jm) – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is asking a judge to delay his corruption trial. Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain asked a judge to stay proceedings in the case or reschedule the trial date for the fall of 2024, after the Supreme Court decides another case involving the federal bribery statute. The Madigan case is set for trial in April 2024. He faces 22 counts of racketeering, bribery and official misconduct as part of a federal indictment.
(Washington-jm) – The Farm Service Agency takes enrollment applications and election sign-ups for two of its Farm Bill farm safety programs through March 15th. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – FFA and 4-H students will receive school work hours when participating in a work-based learning experience outside of the classroom starting January 1st thanks to a new law. House Bill 3814 allows students to count hours that they participate in a work-based learning experience as hours of school work. The new law includes participation in scheduled events of state and national FFA associations as well as 4-H programs as part of organized competitions or exhibitions.
(Thomasboro-jm) – At least one person is hurt following a two-vehicle crash in Thomasboro Thursday evening. The crash happened around 5 p.m. on U.S. Route 45 at the intersection with Central Avenue. State Police officials said a pickup truck and SUV were involved and that at least one injury is being reported.
(Bellflower–jc) Those in the village of Bellflower know about their community Christmas Eve Service. The tradition is celebrating its 100th year on Sunday evening. Bellflower Community Christmas Eve Spokesperson Carolyn Paullin says the event has been sponsored by churches, the local school and volunteers over the years…
Bellflower Community Christmas Event Spokesperson Carolyn Paullin. The program begins at 7pm on Sunday in Bellflower at the Community Center.
(Champaign–jc) Champaign County Crime Stoppers are seeking information where an unknown suspect pointed a gun at an M-T-D bus on its route. The incident happened Wednesday near Mattis and Bradley Avenue in Champaign around 3-30 in the afternoon. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-351-4545
(Iroquois County-jm) – The new year will bring Iroquois County's effort to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. An updated version of the plan seeks to reduce damage caused by severe weather, including thunderstorms, floods, snow and ice storms, tornados and other events. The first of a series of planning meetings is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2024. The 6:30 pm meeting is at the MABAS 37 Building, 103 1/2 Main Street, Crescent City. The meeting is open to the public. All County, Township and Municipal officials are encouraged to attend and provide input. Other necessary stakeholders include schools, fire protection districts, healthcare services and technical partners. Input gathered during working sessions will be used to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The series of committee meetings welcomes residents to ask questions. The Hazard Mitigation Plan and the process to update it is funded through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(Undated–jc) With the Christmas Holiday celebrated this weekend, WPXN news asked area civic and business leaders…What is on their Christmas wish list.
That was the question given to Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
The same question for Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary Spokesperson Connie Ruem…
Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary Spokesperson Connie Ruem (ream)
WPXN News Notes…
The Iroquois County Cantata is set for tonight at 8 pm at the First Christian Church in Watseka.
The Paxton Evangelical Covenant Church will hold a free community Christmas meal on Monday from 11-1.
First Lutheran Church of Paxton will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, December 26th from 10-2. Appointments are requested by emailing Kevin Hanson at emtcoor at hotmail dot com.
