(Springfield-jm) – Illinois state agencies are being directed to prepare for $800 million less than what Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed for the fiscal year 2025 budget. The General Assembly has until May 31 to pass a budget with simple majorities. Fiscal 2025 begins July 1. Pritzker proposed a $52.7 billion budget in February that included about $1 billion in tax increases. In a memo obtained by The Center Square sent out to state agency directors Wednesday, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said it has "become clear that opposition to proposed revenue is significant enough to direct agencies to prepare for the possibility of reductions to proposed spending" and "we must prepare to implement a potential balanced budget scenario with $800 million less in available revenue." 

(Springfield-jm) – May 1st was Bacon Day in Illinois. The designation was sponsored by 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City who talks about the significance of bacon and the pork industry in the state…

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Champaign-jm) – A Mahomet man was found dead in a Circle K Gas Station in Champaign on Wednesday. According to the Champaign County Coroner Stephen E. Thuney, Jason Oakes, 45, was pronounced dead at 2:35 p.m. at the scene by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office. The cause of death has not been determined at this time and an autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

(Urbana-jm) – The man arrested following a SWAT standoff in Urbana on Wednesday was arraigned Thursday afternoon.  Jacob Hill is charged with domestic battery, stemming from an incident on April 4, and four counts stemming from the standoff: possessing a gun as a felon, possessing a gun as a felon while on parole, burglary and criminal trespassing. 

(Champaign–dm): As a kid, you may have taken a Lunchable to school. Now, adult Lunchables are now making the rounds on social media. It’s simply a balanced meal that’s not an intricate recipe. And it’s a way to make healthy eating less intimidating. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.

Making a Lunchable at home is preferred to getting a pre-packaged one at the store. The packaged snacks or meals are often processed, high in salt and low in fiber.

(Champaign-jm) – The rescheduled Christie Clinic Illinois 5K will take place on Friday, June 7 at 7 p.m. Organizers created a new route that will end right outside Memorial Stadium on Kirby Avenue, where participants will receive their coveted 5K finisher medal as well as food and drinks. The 5K post race party will take place on Kirby Avenue, just west of the finish line. If participants picked up and kept their 5K bib, they can use it as is on the rescheduled race day! 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Master Gardeners announced their annual Garden Walk. The event, titled Garden Gatherings, is set for June 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; tickets are on sale now. The Garden Walk is a self-guided tour through the stunning private gardens of five Champaign County homeowners and two public gardens. Proceeds from ticket sales support the Champaign County Master Gardeners' numerous community projects. These initiatives include educational gardens at the Champaign County Crisis Nursery, the Idea Garden, and Ying Ying’s Garden. Tickets are $10 and free for children ten and under.

(Washington-jm) – The USDA is working to reverse the outflow of young people from farms and rural areas. Gary Crawford reports…

(Springfield-jm) – Legislation creating a new state agency for early childhood programs is on its way to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk, but the estimated new costs to taxpayers remain unknown. Late last year, Pritzker announced he wanted to start the Department of Early Childhood to oversee various programs for early childhood services. Senate Bill 1 creates that agency with a two year transition to handle various services. The initial transition cost is expected to be $13.1 million, but a total cost for when the agency is ultimately created wasn’t known. In the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, the Department of Human Services has $466.7 million outlined for early childhood programs. The Illinois State Board of Education has $786.8 million for early childhood. The Department of Children and Family Services has $60.5 million for the daycare line item. The expected salary for the cabinet level leader for the department will be nearly $215,000 a year.

(Springfield-jm) – One local lawmaker is calling on lawmakers to fund the Invest in Kids program. State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland…

State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland.

(Springfield-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci advanced legislation to extend the Energy Assistance Act, which provides low-income households with financial assistance on utility bills. Faraci’s measure would eliminate the scheduled sunset date on a state fund that finances two needs-based assistance programs – the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. The fund was set to shut down January 1, 2025.

(Champaign County-jm) – Champaign County’s METCAD 911 installed a new radio tower in Mahomet on Thursday. It now stands over Lake of the Woods Road. METCAD officials said the tower will improve radio and pager reception for first responders around the area. The project comes as a result of three years of planning between the Village of Mahomet, Mahomet Police Department, Cornbelt Fire Protection District, and the METCAD Policy Board.

(Gibson City–dm) This Saturday, Gibson City will host their 2nd annual All Awareness Day.  Susie Tongate from Gibson City has more information.

Susie Tongate.  The All Awareness day will be held at the North Park May 11th from 11am-2pm

(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Public Health Department is hosting a “Safe Sitter” program this June for middle-schoolers who are interested in learning life and childcare skills. The program comes right as schools are letting out and young students are set to spend more time at home for the summer. Safe Sitter classes will teach kids entering sixth through eighth grades important information for when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Two sessions will be held containing two mandatory classes each: one from June 6-7 at 1:30 – 4 p.m., and another from June 10-11 at 9 a.m. – noon. The first pair of classes costs $35 and will be held at the Iroquois County Administrative Center in Watseka. The second is open to Milford Area Public School students only, costs $10, and will be at the Milford District Library in Milford. To RSVP, call 815-432-2483, email icphd@co.iroquois.il.us, or stop by in-person at 1001 East Grant Street in Watseka. The registration deadline for the June 6-7 session is May 24. The deadline to register for the June 10-11 classes is May 27.

(Undated-jm) – Letter Carriers are looking for the public's help this Saturday.  The nationwide 'Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive' is being held to stock local food banks and pantries in the local community. Donations stay in the community. The National Association of Letter Carriers conduct the local food drive every year. Residents can help by bagging healthy, non-perishable food items.  Place the items by your mailbox.  Letter Carriers will pick up items during regular visits and deliver them to local food banks.

(Washington-jm) – A Department of Energy report is projecting major growth of the U.S. bio-based economy which could raise farmers' revenues. Gary Crawford reports…

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Accolade on Pells on Saturday from 10-2.

The second annual All Awareness Day is set for Saturday at North Park in Gibson City from 11-2.