(Springfield-jm) – A hastily passed state law designed to prevent Republicans from appointing candidates to the ballot after the March primary has been ruled unconstitutional by a Sangamon County judge. The law immediately prohibited local party slating of legislative candidates when no candidate had run in the primary. But, as Circuit Judge Gail Noll noted, the bill was passed and signed into law after the 75-day post-primary candidate slating process had already begun. The timing, according to the judge, imposed a “severe restriction on the right to vote,” based on Illinois Supreme Court precedent. The Democrat majority rammed the legislation through the House in one day, forgoing their own House rules. An amendment was filed on Senate Bill 2412 on a Wednesday morning, and it was assigned to the House Executive Committee. A hearing was held shortly thereafter and on Democrat votes, it passed out of committee. Two hours later, the bill was brought forth for a vote on the House floor. It passed with 67 Democrat votes. House Republicans all voted present as a protest vote. State Representative Jason Bunting said these are the types of tactics he is tired of in Springfield…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched at 11:28 p.m. on June 5, to a hotel in the 900 block of W. Bloomington Road for a report of a shooting with injuries. Upon arrival, officers located a 34-year-old male victim from Tolono with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound to the chest. He remains hospitalized in stable condition. The initial investigation indicates that the victim was visiting an acquaintance at the hotel when an unidentified subject approached and robbed him and another guest of their belongings. During the robbery, a shot was fired, and the man was struck. The robber then fled the area.
(Paxton–Jc) The second First Friday Free Concert is set for Veterans Square in downtown Paxton tonight. Paxton Mainstreet Group Executive Director Donna Pepper says the concert is free to attend, food is available starting at 6 tonight and the band “Love Signs” performs live at 7pm…
Paxton Mainstreet Group Executive Director Donna Pepper. It’s also a great opportunity to take pictures at the I-Luv-Paxton sign at Veterans Square.
(Crestwood–jc) –A child welfare caseworker found guilty of mishandling the case of a Crystal Lake boy killed by his parents has been sentenced to prison. A judge handed down a sentence of six months in prison, 30 months probation and 200 hours of community service to Carlos Acosta. The 58-year-old former DCFS worker was accused of not taking proper precautions to protect 5-year-old AJ Freund, despite evidence of abuse and neglect by his parents. The parents eventually pleaded guilty to the boy’s 2019 murder
(Vermilion County-jm) – Nature and historical sites in Vermilion County are giving people a glimpse into the past and a look at the present in their parks this summer. The Vermilion County Conservation District will be opening the first Sunday of every month to visitors at sites like the Pioneer Homestead Cabin and Nature Center of Forest Glen Preserve. Kennekuk County Park is another spot visitors can go to.
(Melvin–jc) The 20-24 Knight for Christ fundraiser to benefit Christian education in East Central Illinois at Buckley based Christ Lutheran High School is set for Saturday August 24th. The 20th annual event features a silent auction, live auction, lots of food and fellowship, and a chance to win a 20-24 street ready golf cart. Knight for Christ fundraiser event spokesperson Larry Abbe talks about ticket availability for the golf cart…
Knight for Christ Fundraiser Event Spokesperson Larry Abbe. Tickets for the event are also available on line or contacting the school in Buckley.
(The Center Square) – Some libraries in underserved areas of Illinois will be able to make technology upgrades as a result of new grant funding from state taxpayers. The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is awarding $2 million in grants to 113 libraries. To qualify for the grant funding, communities must be eligible for equalization aid grant funding as a result of a low tax base and a high poverty rate.
(Springfield-jm) – Legislation that loosens restrictions on electric scooters is headed to the governor for his signature. Low-speed electric scooters would no longer be defined as a motor vehicle. Josh Witkowski from Modern Mobility said a scooter that travels less than 10 miles per hour should not have the same classification as a motor vehicle. Senate Bill 1960 also states that low-speed electric scooters can only be used in municipalities or park districts if authorized, and that they cannot be operated on highways with a speed limit over 35 mph.
(The Center Square) – A measure prohibiting employers from holding so-called captive audience meetings for their employees is ready to be sent to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The Teamsters union urged Pritzker to sign Senate Bill 3649, saying the bill would ban mandatory attendance to employer-sponsored presentations filled with what they said would be anti-union propaganda designed to discourage organization efforts.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA is getting ready for the spring acreage report. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski says USDA is collecting data for its big acreage report…
(Urbana-jm) – Funeral services for the Champaign County Correctional Officer who was killed in a vehicle crash have been arranged. Jennie Ashley, 47, passed away unexpectedly from a traffic accident on June 3 and was off duty at the time. Officials say the funeral will be on June 10, at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. 4th Street, Effingham. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a First Responder walk-thru at 1 p.m.
(The Center Square) – Despite being ignored by the Illinois General Assembly during the recently completed legislative session, the Chicago Bears are not letting up on their quest to get public funding for a new stadium. The nearly $5 billion proposal to build a lakefront stadium complex along Lake Michigan calls for $2 billion in public money from the city of Chicago and the state. State lawmakers never took up the issue before adjourning the latest legislative session. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said Illinois needs to see more benefit for taxpayers before using public money.
(Cissna Park–jc) One local community is set to place a new mural in its downtown this month. The Cissna Park Development Board approved a new mural on Sheila Levitt’s building in downtown Cissna Park to welcome shoppers and visitors to the southern Iroquois County Community. Cissna Park Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer says this is the first of several murals planned for the town…
Cissna Park Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer. The board gave the go ahead for the project earlier today and the project manager hired is Nate Grice of Paxton.
(Champaign-jm) – The “One Summer Day” fundraiser for C-U at Home is back this year and for more than one day. The One Summer Day fundraiser is a collection of rummage sales across the Champaign area, with a portion or all of the proceeds going towards C-U at Home to help them provide aid to the homeless. C-U at Home has a fundraising goal between $15,000-$25,000. Last year they were able to raise $5,000.
(Paxton–jc) When is the best time to water your tomatoes. Paxton Hardware and Rentals Scott Allen and Ropps Flower Factory owner Roger Cramer agree, the best time to water tomatoes is in the early morning hours…
Paxton Hardware & Rental owner Scott Allen with and Ropps Flower Factory Owner Roger Cramer
(Undated–jc) –The Illinois Milk Producers Association has donated more than 17,000 pounds of milk, including lactose-free, between three local food banks. They include the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the Central Illinois Foodbank and the Eastern Illinois Foodbank to coincide with June being National Dairy Month.
Since 2023, the association has donated more than 27,000 pounds of milk to local food banks for a combined 54,720 servings.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays concert series tonight 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 town wide garage sales will take place today and tomorrow. Maps will be available at both Caseys and Village Pantry.
The Elliott Amvets will hold a family dinner night tonight 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 from 10-2.
The 71st annual Buckley and Buckley Loda High School Alumni Banquet will take place on Saturday at the 103 East in Buckley. Social hour begins at 5 with dinner beginning at 6.
