(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is on the path to build a new state agency that will oversee all state services involving early childhood development and education. Capitol News Illinois reports Governor J-B Pritzker signed a bill Tuesday that creates the Department of Early Childhood. The new agency will take over programs that are currently being run by three different state agencies. These programs include early childhood block grants, childcare assistance, daycare licensing and more. Governor Pritzker says by unifying the services under one department, families should find them easier to use and more available…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The transition from multiple state agencies to the new Early Childhood Department will take two years, and new programs will launch when the department is fully operational on July 1, 2026.
(Springfield-jm) – On the governor’s desk and ready to be signed is Senate Bill 1400, which seeks to improve discipline procedures by creating statewide guidelines for school districts. On the House floor, state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, explained how his bill, which is an initiative of the Illinois Education Association, tasks the Illinois State Board of Education to team up with experts to create standards surrounding disciplinary actions like expulsion and suspension. The bill removes a current provision within the law that allows districts to immediately transfer a student to an alternative school, if that student has been suspended for 20 days or more. State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, said he’s concerned the guidelines will eventually be used to usurp local control.
(Melvin–dm)-The Ford County Fair is going on through Saturday and Ford
County Fair President Steve Meenen has today’s events.
Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen. If you are a firefighter or first responder you get into the fair for free today.
(Champaign-jm) – In the wake of severe storms, the Champaign Fire Department extinguished a roof fire on Tuesday afternoon. Officials said a powerline fell on an apartment building’s roof in the area of South Mattis Avenue and Henry Street. As a result, the top corner of the roof caught on fire.
(Rantoul–jc) The number of businesses that are being placed on the west side of Rantoul along U-S Route 136 continues to grow. Rantoul leaders have welcomed the Main Scoop, Jersey Mikes and Starbucks to the village. Culvers is planning a new location in the village and one local bank is set to build in that area. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says plans for a new Busey Bank continue…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Washington-jm) – A recently announced nationwide food loss and waste reduction strategy involves four pillars which includes efforts by the Agriculture Department. Rod Bain reports…
(Iroquois County-jm) – Strong storms moved through part of the area early Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service reported nearly 80 mph winds and 2 inch hail in the Crescent City area. Some of the same was reported in and around the town of Milford. Power outages were reported in the Champaign Urbana and Springfield areas on Tuesday.
(Springfield-jm) – State Treasurer Michael Frerichs says his office recently passed a significant milestone with the state’s unclaimed property. Treasurer Frerichs says they passed the two billion dollar mark giving back unclaimed property to those they belong to…
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
(Springfield-jm) – Artificial intelligence is making its mark on many industries, and now appears to be impacting Illinois agriculture. An AI farms project at the University of Illinois has trained a language model to answer agricultural crop questions. School officials said the Artificial Intelligence for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management, and Sustainability Institute will serve as a nexus for multidisciplinary research teams that advance foundational AI and use the advances to address important challenges facing world agriculture.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced intended road projects between fiscal years 2026 and 2030.WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has a look at projects scheduled for Iroquois County…
(Watseka-jm) – One person is hospitalized after an electrical fire in a house in Watseka Tuesday morning. It happened near East Sheridan and North 16th Streets at 9:54 a.m. A smoke detector started going off in the house, alerting six occupants to a fire in the basement. They were able to get themselves and four pets out of the house. Firefighters determined that it was sparked from an electrical failure in some chargers sitting on a desk. One of the home’s occupants was transported to Iroquois Memorial Hospital for smoke inhalation.
(Springfield-jm) – There is still controversy surrounding a legislative bill that would ban slating in elections. A Sangamon County judge ruled the legislation unconstitutional however 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett says the Pritzker Administration is asking for the state Supreme Court to take up the issue…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's Cattle on Feed report suggests cattle herd reduction is continuing. Gary Crawford reports…
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Hoopeston man is facing arson charges following a suspicious fire. It happened in the 500 block of East Young Street. James Brayboy was arrested for arson and is currently in the Vermilion County jail.
(Melvin–jc) It’s tractor and truck pull time at the Ford County fair in Melvin. This year there are two days of pulls with a longer and wider track. Ford County Fair Director Wade Rueck (rick) says there is a large group of classes on Wednesday and also Thursday…
Ford County Fair Director Wade Rueck
The Truck and Tractor Pulls begin at 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday at the fairgrounds in Melvin
Wednesday, June 26
9:00am – Jr. Beef Show, Jr. Rabbit Show
5:00pm – Ford County 4-H Premium Auction – Show Barn
6:00pm – Illiana Truck & Tractor Pull – Grandstand
Petting Zoo in the Commercial Building
WPXN News Notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold their foodmobile today from 9-9:30 at the Danforth Community Hall, 10-10:30 at the Ashkum village park, 10:45-11:30 at the Clifton village hall, 12:30-1 at the Beaverville post office and 1:30-2 at the Donovan community building.
