The largest taxpayer spending plan in Illinois state history was signed Wednesday.
Approved by the House last week, and the Senate the week before that, the budget spends $53.1 billion in state funds. That’s 32% higher than when Gov. J.B. Pritzker first took office in 2019. Add federal tax dollars and other state funds, the fiscal year 2025 plan spends $125 billion. Before signing the budget Wednesday, Pritzker heralded the budget…
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker
(Springfield-jm) – A Sangamon County Circuit Court judge made a temporary injunction permanent, finding that enforcing a recently signed law that eliminates “slating” for General Assembly races in the 2024 election is unconstitutional. Last month, the Illinois General Assembly gutted and replaced a child welfare bill with changes to election law. They prohibited the slating of candidates for the November general election ballot if that candidate did not run in the March primary. Within three days of the idea surfacing and passing both chambers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted the measure. Candidates then sued and a Sangamon County judge issued a preliminary injunction pending final judgment. A hearing in the case was held Monday, the same day candidates had a deadline to file petitions to be slated for the November ballot. Wednesday, final judgment was issued for the plaintiffs.
(Springfield-jm) – Changes are coming to the prisoner review board after two of the three members resigned following a controversial decision. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the legislation that was passed in the final days of the spring session…
Senator Bennett goes on to say he hopes these reforms will do several things for the prisoner review board in the future…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Moline-jm) – John Deere is laying off more than 120 workers at its plant in Moline. The indefinite layoffs are effective June 28. The company said in a statement that it is also buying land in Mexico for a new plant that will take some of the work that is being done in Dubuque. The agricultural giant also announced layoffs at three other Iowa locations.
(Paxton–jc) The city of Paxton is moving up the list on spending with Experience Champaign Urbana Statistics released this month show that Paxton as the third largest region for spending in the E-C-U marketplace. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says that is great news for the city and residents…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Urbana-jm) – A Champaign man will spend the next three years in prison for stalking a University of Illinois student, one of the latest incidents in a pattern of behavior of stalking and apartment break-ins. Edward Bennett, 29, pleaded guilty in March to one count of stalking and one count of criminal trespass to a residence. Judge Roger Webber sentenced Bennett to prison and a consecutive two-year probation sentence for each respective crime. An investigation revealed more than 16 incidents between September of 2021 and August of 2023 where women reported incidents of stalking behavior and unwanted contact with Bennett. Bennett was issued multiple no-trespassing notices for U of I property, but that didn’t stop him from returning and even obtaining a student ID card using a false date of birth, which gave him access to university buildings.
(Washington-jm) – Acreage enrollment is taking place now through June 29th for USDA's Grassland Conservation Reserve Program. Rod Bain reports…
(Urbana–jc) A large traffic jam happened along Interstate 74 in the west bound lanes in Urbana Wednesday. A semi truck slid off the roadway and caused the traffic back up. No one was reported injured in the mishap, but motorists along I-74 in the area of mile marker 186 were caught in the back up. The scene was reported cleared at 1pm. Police remind motorists that I-74 in the Urbana-Champaign area is a construction zone and to slow down and be extra careful.
(Undated–jc) Today is the 80 anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France during World War 2. A ceremony was held at the site this morning. Locally, what does D-Day mean to those who have served or are serving. Buckley resident and past State Commander of the American Legion and National Committee Council Member Wayne Wagner says this was pivotal for American freedom…
Wagner adds this was a “freedom” effort by the United States and other countries..
Buckley resident and past State Commander of the American Legion and National Committee Council Member Wayne Wagner
(Washington-jm) – Senator Dick Durbin has filed a bill he believes will protect Post Office Processing and Distribution Centers across the country from losing some of their services. In a news release from his office, Durbin announced Wednesday he is working with a bipartisan group of senators for a bill they named the Postal Processing Protection Act. This is after more than 50 Processing and Distribution Centers were targeted to shift to Local Processing Centers. The bill would require a study forecasting the consequences of downsizing or closing these facilities. A similar requirement is in place before the USPS closes any storefront post office in the country.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget into law Wednesday morning. The budget passed both the Senate and the House last week. Pritzker previously said he was pleased with the budget the morning after it arrived on his desk. Leaders highlighted the fact it was the sixth consecutive balanced budget in a row. The Budget has increased to 53 and one half billion dollars. Some negative reaction to the budget concerning veterans and immigrant funding from 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer of Danville…
104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer of Danville. The budget passed along party lines in the Illinois House and Senate in Springfield.
(Savoy-jm) – Plans for a downtown area in Savoy are inching closer and closer to coming to life. The Downtown Development Group launched a survey for the public to share ideas with Savoy officials. Officials hope with the community’s input, the space will better reflect the community’s wishes. After the survey closes, the Downtown Development Group will talk with village leaders over the course of six months. Then officials will have a better idea of when construction could start.
(Sibley–jc) One event that started to honor a family member with cancer is now in its 20th year. The Sibley Burr Oaks tractor drive is set for July 6th. Organizer Russ Tjarks says they continue to raise money for the American Cancer Society…
Sibley Burr Oaks Tractor Drive Organizer Russ Tjarks. To donate money or to participate call Russ at 217-249-2377
(Watseka-jm) – A 30-year-old Danville man faces felony charges in Vermilion County following his arrest in Watseka Tuesday. Delin M. Cotton was in the Iroquois County Jail awaiting extradition to Vermilion County. Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police and the Watseka Police Department assisted the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Danville Police Department in the arrest of Cotton. The arrest warrant charges Cotton with 4-counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated unlawful restraint and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.
(Washington-jm) – Many farmers may welcome the new national weather pattern that's on the way. Gary Crawford reports…
(Rantoul–jc) A new franchise has opened in the village of Rantoul. The Main Street Scoop opened its doors on Wednesday along Route 136 near the Rantoul Sports Complex and Rantoul Walmart. The Main Scoop has area locations in Urbana, Monticello, and Mahomet. They offer a wide variety of ice cream products.
(Undated-jm) – Illinois farmers have been in catch-up mode during planting season after a wet spring. As of mid-May, less than half of the corn and soybean crops had been put in the ground. Mark Schleusener, Illinois State Statistician with the USDA, said statistics show a dry stretch of weather allowed farmers to get some work done. “Corn planting reached 89% finished,” said Schleusener. “That compares to 84% for the five-year average.” This week, 81% of the soybean crop had been planted. That is behind last year but still ahead of the five-year average of 73%.
WPXN News Notes…
The 2024 Bradley Music Fest will take place June 6-9 at Northfield Square Mall. Musical acts performing include Scotty McCreery, Drew Baldridge, Big and Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Hairbangers Ball.
Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays concert series on Friday, June 7 from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton with the band Love Sign performing. The concessions stands at the event open at 6pm
Paxton townwide garage sales will take place Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th. Maps will be available at both Caseys and Village Pantry.
The Elliott Amvets will hold a family dinner night on Friday, June 7th from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes your choice of chicken, fish or shrimp for $15.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting St. Johns PTO on Saturday, June 8th from 10-2.
