(Springfield-jm) – Illinois legislators are working to change the term "offender" to "justice impacted individual" in state law, a move Republicans say disrespects victims of violent crime. House Bill 4409 would add Illinois Department of Corrections representation to the Adult Redeploy Illinois oversight board, but it also changes the word "offender" to "justice-impacted individuals." Republicans on the Senate floor said the name change could cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. State Sen. Robert Peters, urged members to not get hung up on the name change because the program oversight board could use more representation. Republicans said the focus shouldn’t be on what they called the "poor offender," but rather the victims of violent crimes.
(Washington-jm) – Corn and soybean growers are making planting headway, despite storms. Gary Crawford reports…
(Decatur-jm) – Caterpillar has agreed to pay $800,000 to resolve allegations of systemic hiring discrimination against dozens of Black applicants at its Decatur production facility. The settlement comes after a compliance review by the U.S. Department of Labor found discriminatory hiring practices affecting 60 Black applicants for positions between March 2018 and March 2020. Caterpillar is one of the world's biggest producers of heavy machinery.
(Vermilion County-jm) – A 23-year-old Champaign man's body was recovered from the Middle Fork River by the Vermilion County Sheriff's Office and Illinois Conservation Police on Tuesday. According to the Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden, Jose Alberto Lopez-Fernande's body was found at 9:05 a.m. on Tuesday. He was last seen on Sunday, May 19th in the afternoon at Kickapoo State Park in the river.
(Paxton–jc) - More building owners in downtown Paxton are taking advantage of a facade and awning program in the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says another restaurant is set to receive a new awning…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(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.
(Rantoul–jc) –WIth the Memorial Day Holiday coming this weekend and a solid start to baseball softball and soccer tournaments, the Rantoul Sports Complex has a solid start to bringing more than 1 point 2 million people to the village of Rantoul Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid says the hope is to bring in more than last year, even with some turf replacement projects this year…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court is considering a case about whether someone’s Firearm Owners ID card can be revoked for merely being charged with a felony. Plaintiffs in the case, Aaron and Charles Davis, were charged in Wood River with felonies after firing guns into the air on July 3, 2016. After the charge, their FOID cards were revoked. After pleading down to misdemeanor charges a year later, their FOID cards were reinstated. While federal law says those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors, or those who have mental health prohibiters, are prohibited from having firearms, statute says those charged, not convicted, of a felony can still possess guns. Justices took the case under advisement.
(Washington-jm) – Significant precipitation totals in parts of Southern Brazil appears to have impacted some of their crops currently under harvest. Rod Bain reports…
(Undated-jm) – Blowing dust caused travel issues Tuesday afternoon. The dust caused state police to close I-55 south of Bloomington and I-74 west of Farmer City. Dust storm warnings were also issued. In Rantoul, winds caused a tree to fall into a mobile home in the village. No injuries were reported.
(Urbana-jm) – As scientists have researched cows and other mammals getting infected with the bird flu, an expert from the University of Illinois is advising people not to worry too much. The CDC reported nine states having cattle outbreaks with 36 dairy herds affected. Experts are watching closely to make sure it does not start affecting more people.
(Paxton–jc) With another successful event in the city of Paxton, what is next for the Paxton Mainstreet Group. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says the second in the series, First Friday free concert is coming on June 7th and Main street is also helping with the 4th of July celebration…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper.
(Mahomet-jm) – After three meetings this year, the Mahomet-Seymour Facilities Committee indicated support for constructing a new elementary school for second and third graders near Middletown Prairie Elementary and renovating or rebuilding Mahomet-Seymour Junior High School at its current location to alleviate district overcrowding. Among the favored options, “Scenario 2d,” involves building a new second and third-grade elementary school on the district’s 74-acre site and renovating/expanding the current junior high. An alternative, “Scenario 2e,” proposes erecting a new elementary school and demolishing the existing junior high to replace it on the same site. Under these plans, Lincoln Trail Elementary would serve fourth and fifth graders. Of the 39 votes cast, each scenario with a new elementary school on the district’s empty property received 16 individual votes. Committee members were given orange and pink post-it notes to cast their votes and write down additional suggestions for the district to consider. Recent attempts to build a junior high on district land south of Middletown Prairie have failed.
(Iroquois County–jc) There is a survey from the Iroquois County Public Health Department. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the details…
WPXN News Notes…
The Onarga American Legion Sock Hop will take place on Friday, May 24th from 6-10 pm at the legion hall at Durham Park. There is no cover charge to attend.
The Onarga American Legion Auxiliary will hold their inaugural poppy 5k run/walk on Saturday, May 25th starting at 9 am at the Legion Hall at Durham Park. Registration is $30 and can be submitted by emailing leapknf at yahoo dot com.
The Junk in the Trunk flea market at The Gathering in Gilman will take place on Saturday, May 25th from 9-2.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Accolade on Fulton on Saturday, May 25th from 10-2.
The Champaign Urbana Elks will sponsor a free children's orthopedic assessment clinic on Wednesday, June 12th at the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Multi-Specialty Clinic in Urbana from 8:30-10:30 am. Appointments are required by calling 1-800-272-0074.
