(Undated-jm) – An additional closure is coming to the interchange between I-74 and I-57 in Champaign as the interchange’s reconstruction continues. The ramp leading from eastbound I-74 to southbound I-57 will close today. Signs for a detour utilizing northbound I-57 and Market Street will be posted. The Illinois Department of Transportation said the closure is to make a smooth and safe transition for drivers on the ramp. It will last for about one month, weather permitting. That’s not the only road project taking place starting today. Crews will close one lane both north and southbound on I-57 from just south of Onarga to just north of Gilman for milling and resurfacing. The ramps at Onarga and Gilman will also be resurfaced. That work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House passed a plan to provide free state IDs to people leaving prisons and jails. Incarcerated people who previously held a state ID or driver's license could be able to submit a form to the Secretary of State's office to get a new ID. Applicants would need a photo taken by the correctional facility and must provide proof of residency upon discharge. People released on parole, mandatory supervised release or a pardon could receive a temporary 90-day state ID if they do not receive a standard ID before they leave a correctional facility. House Republicans said they appreciate the intent of the bill, but they could not support giving a free ID card to someone if they could afford to buy one.
(Washington-jm) – The market situation for pork producers will likely improve in 2025. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a multi vehicle accident on I-57 Sunday afternoon. It happened around 5pm on the southbound side of I-57 just south of Paxton. One vehicle rolled over. There’s no word on if there were any injuries.
(Urbana-jm) – A teenager is recovering after a shooting Friday night in Urbana. It happened in the 2000 block of Vawter St. around 10:30 p.m. Urbana police say, when they arrived they found a 18 year old man from Urbana who had been shot. The teen was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. The shooting remains under investigation.
(Cissna Park–dm) The end of the school year is near, Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton tells us about some of the highlights for the FFA Chapter this year.
Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton
(Watseka-jm) – An intergovernmental agreement between the Iroquois County Board and the City of Watseka will soon be underway to resolve flooding on county property alongside the Loveridge Lane subdivision. The County will share the cost of a listed $67,000 project with the City. Henrichs Drainage Company of Onarga will install 12-inch tile with a filter and up to 6 catch basins to move rain waters that pond behind the subdivision. The cost of the project will be split 50/50 with Watseka. The County’s part comes from the Capital Improvement Fund.
(Paxton–jc) – Another fine event was held in Paxton on Saturday. Paxton Main Street held a history open house event along with the Annual Draggin’ Main on Saturday. It was also the first time visitors could take a picture at the I-Love-Paxton Exhibit at Veterans Square.
(Springfield-jm) – With Illinois’ red light camera industry sending more than a billion dollars in revenue into city coffers, a Republican state legislator is warning the scheme could be coming at an even higher cost. A new Illinois Policy Institute study finds that over the past four years, local governments across the state netted at least $500 million in red light camera ticket revenue, bringing the overall total drivers have been forced to pay out since 2018 to $1.56 billion. State Representative Dan Ugaste says he believes that combined with high taxes and overregulation of businesses are leading to people leaving the state.
(Washington-jm) – The nation's dairy operators are producing more milk this year than was expected. Will this continue into 2025? Gary Crawford reports…
(Undated-jm) – Law enforcement officers stood on top of Dunkin’ Donuts’ rooftops across the state on Friday to raise money for the Special Olympics Illinois. More than 350 Dunkin’ Donuts across Illinois took part in the event raising a total of more than one-million dollars for Special Olympics Illinois athletes.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Coroner Stephen Thuney is releasing the identity of an early morning shooting victim. At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, a male was dropped off at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana via personal vehicle having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Jawon E. Brown, 24 years of Rantoul was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital Emergency Department. Preliminary information indicates Mr. Brown was likely shot in the parking lot of a business located in the 1100 Block of North Mattis Avenue in Champaign. According to Champaign Police, a 28-year-old male victim also from Rantoul was also shot and taken to Carle Foundation Hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his leg.
(Melvin–jc) The activities are set for the 20-24 Ford County Fair in Melvin. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Danville-jm) – State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville passed his workforce training resolution unanimously out of the House Labor and Commerce Committee. House Resolution 723 calls on Congress to stop funding cuts to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The acts are federally funded programs that provide workforce training through a variety of statewide and local programs. They prioritize helping individuals such as veterans, low income individuals, individuals with disabilities, homeless individuals, and long-term unemployed individuals to receive job training to reenter the workforce by helping job seekers sharpen their resume and interviewing skills and connecting them with services such as GED classes to get the help they need.
