(Springfield-jm) – If Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs the budget and revenue package legislators approved, consumers paying by card may have to swipe to pay for their goods and swipe again to pay the sales tax for those goods. Part of the deal with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in exchange for a cap on the credit retailers get for collecting and remitting sales taxes is a change to the so-called interchange fee, limiting the fees financial institutions can charge on the sales tax of transactions. What this could mean for consumers is two swipes for a single transaction, one of the purchase of the goods or services subject to interchange and one for the tax or gratuity not subject to interchange.

(Undated–jc)  Bridge safety is a major concern for some leaders in Illinois. WPXN’s Dan Musrush has the story…

(Champaign-jm) – New data from GasBuddy is showing that gas prices in Champaign have gone down in the last week. A survey of 79 gas stations in Champaign found that the average price of gas is $3.51 per gallon, down 11 cents compared to last week. Champaign’s average is down seven cents compared to one month ago and down 10.5 cents compared to one year ago. The drop in gas prices is reflective of a nationwide trend, GasBuddy found. The national average fell six cents in the last week and is relatively close to Champaign’s average: $3.50 per gallon.

(Rantoul–jc) One week from today, the Rantoul-Paxton VFW Post 6750 is hosting a fundraiser at the corners of Route 136 and Route 45 in the village of Rantoul.  Rantoul Paxton V-F-W spokesperson Joe Manka says donations are needed…

Rantoul Paxton V-F-W Spokesperson Joe Manka. Volunteers will be asking for donations starting at 6am on the 12th and running through 6pm. All donations are tax deductible 

(Vermilion County-jm) – The Vermilion County Animal Shelter is closing for the next few days as they manage a parvovirus outbreak amongst their dogs. Parvovirus, or parvo, is a highly contagious virus that attacks dogs’ gastrointestinal systems. It can be spread through contact with contaminated feces or surfaces. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are particularly vulnerable to the illness, and they can even die from it. People are immune to parvo, but they can still carry it on their clothes or hands. As for dogs, symptoms include a lack of appetite followed by lethargy. Young pups may also experience diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.

(Gibson City–jc)  Gibson City has a 4th of July Holiday event for music and more. Gibson City Events Spokesperson Susie Tongate says the “Red, White and Tunes’ event is set for Marks on First on Saturday July 6th…

Gibson City Events Spokesperson Susie Tongate

(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Sheriff's Office has released their May activity report. During the month of May deputies responded to 6 traffic accidents and issued 37 citations including 8 for speeding, 5 for DUI, 3 each illegal transportation of alcohol, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving with no drivers license; 2 each for driving on a suspended or revoked license and disregarding a stop sign and 1 each for illegal passing, not wearing a seatbelt, improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed. Deputies also handed 28 civil complaints, 8 domestic incidents, 7 reports each of an animal complaint and suspicious person, 4 reports of harassment 2 each of theft, fraud and stolen vehicles and 1 each of abuse, property damage and a phone scam.

(Cissna Park–jc)  One area town is celebrating its Zip Code Day this weekend. The zipcode for Cissna Park is 6-0-9-2-4. Sunday is 6 oh-9-24. The village will celebrate the day on Saturday during it’s first Shop the park event. T-Shirts and postcards are available Several businesses will also have special items to celebrate Zip Code Day including Luke's One Stop and Perfume Acres. The first shop the park event is set for Saturday from 9am until 1pm in the park in Cissna Park.

(Chicago-jm) – Video gambling is a huge cash cow for the state of Illinois and Democratic lawmakers want a bigger slice of the pie for Chicago. A late addition to the $53.1 billion state budget that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is considering, would raise the tax on the industry to 35%. The Pritzker administration estimated that the tax hike would generate an additional $35 million next fiscal year.  Over 45,000 video gaming terminals were in operation in Illinois at the end of last year. Chicago’s City Council has maintained its ban on the terminals since the state legalized the gaming machines for businesses holding liquor licenses in 2012. During debate of the state budget last week, Republicans noted that funds from video gaming downstate are funneled to Chicago.

(Springfield-jm) – An area state lawmaker is continuing to discuss the new state budget passed last week. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the new budget and the increased amount of spending the state has done under the Pritzker Administration…

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. The budget also includes over a billion dollars in new tax increases to help fund the migrant crisis in Chicago. Senator Bennett said he voted against the budget due to the overspending and lack of funding for other critical needs.

(Savoy-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is looking for help in identifying the people who burglarized a business in Savoy one week ago. Officials posted on Facebook that on May 27, deputies responded to 1327 Savoy Plaza Lane for a burglary alarm. When they arrived, they found the front window smashed by a brick and numerous items stolen from the store. There were two suspects involved in the crime and both were recorded on store security cameras.

(Cissna Park–jc)  – The State of Illinois F F A convention is coming one week from today in Springfield. Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says the local Cissna Park group is being recognized as one of the top fundraisers for the “harvest for all” campaign…

Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton

(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Police Department and Champaign County Crime Stoppers are asking for help in solving an armed robbery that happened one month ago. Officials said that just before midnight on May 3, three people entered a business at South Maplewood and Harmon Drives, displayed guns and demanded money. The suspects were last seen running away from the area. All were males wearing face masks and blue disposable gloves and had the following clothing descriptions: Suspect 1 – a dark Nike hoodie, dark pants and carrying a backpack, 

Suspect 2 – dark sunglasses, a dark hoodie and dark pants and Suspect 3 – a gray hat, a dark hoodie, dark pants and wearing a backpack across their chest.

(Everywhere–jc)  They are loud and they seem to be everywhere. O-S-F’s Tim Ditman has more…