(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police responded to two separate shots fired incidents on Tuesday evening. The first incident occurred at 4:06 p.m. to the 300 block of S. Mattis Avenue for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, responding officers learned that two vehicles had pulled into a parking lot where multiple subjects produced firearms and opened fire on each other in an open area near several businesses. Police said following the exchange of gunfire, all parties quickly fled the area. Some property damage has been reported in this incident, including to a vehicle parked in the lot. The second incident occurred as Champaign Police were dispatched at 4:14 p.m. to the 1200 block of Providence Circle for a report of shots fired. Police learned after arriving on the scene, multiple subjects had produced firearms and opened fire on each other. Officers said following the exchange of gunfire, all parties quickly fled the area. Some property damage has been reported in this incident, including two vehicles parked in the lot and one apartment building.
(Chicago-jm) – As the influx of migrants continues into 2024, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson seem to be on two different pages regarding shelter for the arrivals. Chicago has reported 30,000 migrant arrivals over the last year and a half since. The influx has led to increased spending and other resources being needed. The taxpayer funds have gone to shelters and services for the migrants, which includes a $29 million contract with GardaWorld Federal Services to help put shelters together, but some shelters have fallen through. Pritzker says the city hasn’t told the state what they need for shelters. City and state taxpayer funds for the crisis have totaled nearly $700 million in the past year.
(Springfield–jc) Some Illinois State House Republicans want to end the state’s migrant sanctuary policies. They are getting rebuffed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. 45th District State Senator Andrew Chesney of Freeport says common sense is needed on who fits what migrant category…
45th District State Senator Andrew Chesney of Freeport. Some lawmakers in Springfield continue to discuss the ongoing migrant crisis where Illinois has received thousands of asylum seekers to illegal migrants over the past two years Republicans are calling for more transparency on how taxpayer dollars are being spent and for an end to the state’s TRUST Act, which some say is what makes Illinois a migrant sanctuary state. That law says state and local law enforcement cannot assist federal immigration officers in enforcing immigration law, if that is the sole issue against someone.
(Urbana-jm) – In updating our story from Monday, the Champaign County coroner’s office says a U of I student found dead on campus over the weekend died from hypothermia. Interim Coroner Steve Thuney says preliminary autopsy results from yesterday for 18 year old Akul Dhawan showed no evidence of significant trauma but there was evidence of hypothermic skin changes. The final autopsy report is pending toxicology tests.
(Osman-jm) – Firefighters from Fisher, Bellflower and Mahomet battled a house fire in Osman Tuesday afternoon. Officials believe the fire started in a garage before spreading to the house.
(Gifford–jc) Gordyville USA is the place for all things agriculture starting this morning and running through Thursday afternoon. It’s the 20-24 Midwest Ag Expo. The event is free to attend and parking is free too, says Midwest Ag Expo Manager and Spokesperson Gary Manke…
Midwest Ag Expo Manager and Spokesperson Gary Manke. WPXN will be broadcasting live starting at 9am to help kick off the two day event.
(Decatur-jm) – Archer Daniels Midland has appointed an interim CFO as the company suspended the current CFO while he is under investigation. Vikram Luthar, ADM’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, was placed on administrative leave. Luthar is under investigation for accounting practices with ADM’s Nutrition Reporting segment.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA is on course to continue expanding crop insurance for more products and more producers. Gary Crawford reports…
(Chicago–jc) – An Illinois Lottery player had a stroke of luck when they spent $10 on a scratch-off ticket and won the top prize of $250,000.
The $250,000 Crossword winning scratch-off ticket was purchased at Thornton’s gas station at 3001 Wabash Ave. in Springfield.
This is also a nice win for the Thornton’s in Springfield, as they’ll receive a one percent selling bonus, or $2,500. The Illinois Lottery currently offers a range of Instant Ticket games priced from $1 to $50, available at approximately 7,000 retail locations across Illinois.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is actively investigating a pair of shots-fired incidents that happened on Mattis Avenue just blocks away from each other. The first happened just after 4 p.m. on Tuesday in a parking lot near Springfield and Mattis Avenues. At least 20 shots were fired, and a car parked at the nearby Chase bank was hit, but no injuries were reported. Police officials said that 12 minutes later, they received another report of shots being fired at Bradley and Mattis Avenues. No injuries were reported there either.
(Springfield-jm) – Senate Republicans are demanding that Gov. J.B. Pritzker reverse course on a plan to reduce service hours for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who live in group homes, claiming cutting hours will increase problems at the group homes. The plan is to cut 2.5 million Direct Support Professional workers' service hours in group homes where approximately 10,000 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live. The pushback was led by State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, who penned a letter to Pritzker, demanding the governor not cut hours.
(Springfield-jm) – The spring legislative session got underway last week in Springfield. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about one of the most important issues facing the General Assembly and the state…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – A new business is coming to the North Prospect area of Champaign. pOpshelf, an offshoot of Dollar General, will go into the space of David’s Bridal. An opening date has not yet been announced.
(Champaign-jm) – New data from a Champaign County real estate group is showing a slight increase in the number of homes bought in December, but an overall decrease for sales throughout 2023. The Champaign County Association of Realtors reported that 180 homes were sold in Champaign County during the month of December, an increase of 20 homes compared to the prior month. The number is also up compared to December of 2022 when 175 homes were sold. The average price of a home was $232,726.
(Mahomet–jc) – A Farm Legacy Family Workshop is set for later this month in Mahomet. Cheryl Mitchell is hosting the three hour family workshop for those who want to start looking at options of selling or looking at the future of their family farm. Cheryl Mitchell says it's the “what is next” discussion…
Farm Legacy Family Workshop Spokesperson Cheryl Mitchell. For more information contact Mitchell at 217-369-0637.
(Normal–jm) – The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University will hold three meetings on Thursday, January 25, in the Bone Student Center on campus in Normal They include: • Presidential Search Committee Meeting at 8 a.m. , a Special Board of Trustees Meeting at 12:15 p.m. This meeting will be streamed on Illinois State University’s YouTube channel. They also have a State Affairs Committee o Immediately following Special Board of Trustees Meeting at Founders Suite, Bone Student Center
(Washington-jm) – Lower domestic milk production both in 2023 and 2024 is expected to assist with higher prices in some product and class categories, per USDA’s latest forecasts. Rod Bain reports…
(Tuscola–jc) The Illinois State Police are investigating a crash on Interstate 57 northbound at milepost 210 . Authorities are reporting a semi in the ditch in that area. The right lane is closed to public traffic. Use caution while driving in this area.
