(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Housing Development Authority wants to remind individuals that free assistance is available to overcome the financial barriers to owning a home. The agency currently offers up to $10,000 to help individuals, families, veterans and others to purchase a home. Launched in 2018, the I-H-D-A Access Mortgage programs are open to both first-time and repeat homebuyers.

Eligibility for a mortgage is based on the borrower’s credit profile, household income and the purchase price of the home.

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Independence Day holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. today to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 7.

(Paxton–jc)  –  In the second of a three part series, WPXN news is taking a closer look at a popular sign in downtown Paxton. The I-Love-Paxton block letters sign sits at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. The sign was funded by the Grove Brothers and the letters painted and inspired by local artist Nate Grice. Grice talks about the P-A-and X in the project…

Grice Signs of Paxton Owner Nate Grice. The place is a picture spot for individuals and families to become the I in the I-Love-Paxton Block letters sign.

(Gifford-jm) – One Central Illinois community will be limited on its water supply. The Village of Gifford drained their water tower to start painting. They’ll be working on the lower half for about two weeks. Village leaders say residents shouldn’t notice a difference and the water is still safe to drink.

(Undated-jm) – A study to look at express bus services between Bloomington-Normal and Peoria is getting a $1.2 million boost from federal taxpayers. The Illinois Department of Transportation announced the U.S. Department of Transportation's program will help the state explore a potential route, frequency, schedule and cost of connecting the cities and towns by bus. The study will start in late 2025.

(Springfield–jc)  –  OSLAD grant application time is here. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the details…

(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Sheriff’s Office has released their June activity report. During the month of June, deputies responded to 5 traffic accidents and issued 8 citations for speeding, 2 each for failure to reduce speed, driving on a suspended or revoked license and driving under the influence and 1 each for disregarding a stop sign, no drivers license and reckless driving. They also issued criminal citations for forgery, obstructing justice and resisting police. Deputies also handled 6 reports each of suspicious person, domestic issues and harassment, 3 reports of theft, 2 reports of custody disputes and suspicious vehicles and 1 report each of fraud, fight in progress, abuse, stolen vehicle and missing person.

(Sibley–jc)  The 20th annual Sibley Burr Oaks Tractor Drive is set for Saturday. .  Event organizer Russ Tjarks says several raffles will take place to help raise money for cancer research and awareness….

Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive for Cancer organizer Russ Tjarks.  If you want to participate in the tractor drive, you can call 217-249-2377.

(Iroquois County-jm) – Eight area contestants will vie for the title of the 2024 Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen on Tuesday, July 16th. They are: Ellie Schunke of Danforth, Abigail Teske of Buckley, Rae Stucki of Danforth, Brynlee Wright of Sheldon, Emma Morrical of Cissna Park, Anna Anderson of Rankin, Jahni Lavicka of Milford and Anna Hagan of Sheldon. Kiernan Tammen was named the 2023 Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen.

(Washington-jm) – If you love to grill beef at your cookout, you will find a wide range of products and prices to choose from. Some cuts may even be lower priced than last year. Gary Crawford reports…

(Springfield-jm) – The start of July means the end of another fiscal year for the state. Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s office released their report on the state’s finances. It showed another year of the state paying its bills on time. Currently the state is caught up on all expenses from the previous year. The state also has over 2 billion dollars in its rainy day fund. The state also has 1.7 billion leftover in it’s accounts following the fiscal year.

(Springfield-jm) – The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the cases challenging Illinois' gun ban. In his order published Tuesday, Justice Clarence Thomas said the cases are not ripe yet, but criticized the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals denying a preliminary injunction saying commonly owned firearms are "militaristic" and can be banned. The Southern District of Illinois has a bench trial on the merits of the case set for Sept. 16. in East St. Louis.

(Springfield-jm) – The new state budget went into effect this week. The state’s new fiscal year kicked off July 1st says 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Urbana-jm) – About $51 million in federal tax funds are coming back to the state for the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub at the University of Illinois. The U.S. Economic Development Administration announced the grant it said leverages the state’s leading production of raw agricultural materials to develop sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based products.

(Paxton–jc)  The 40th annual Old Fashioned 4th of July event is set for all day Thursday at Pells Park in Paxton. Event spokesperson Donna Pepper says there are a lot of “free” things to do on Thursday…

Paxton MainStreet Executive Director and 4th of July Spokesperson Donna Pepper. 

(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Board of Health hopes to soon hire a new administrator after a search to fill the vacancy created by the April 9 resignation of Donny Gill. Four finalists were interviewed from a field of 18 applicants. Seth Russell had served as interim-administrator in Ford County until May 30 after Donny Gill’s resignation. Gill was Ford County’s hire in September of 2023. Gill replaced nine-year veteran administrator Lana Sample, before she resigned to move from Paxton to Florida.

(Loda–jc)  The last Saturday and Sunday in July is celebration time in the village of Loda. Community events to a truck and tractor pull, fireworks too. Loda Fireworks and Events Spokesperson John Zalaker says their group is selling tickets for a new golf cart to raise funds for the events in Loda…

Loda Fireworks and Events Spokesperson John Zalaker

(Champaign-jm) – GasBuddy.com found that the price of a gallon of gas in Champaign has slightly increased since last week. The city of Champaign’s gas stations are averaging $3.54 per gallon, as of Monday. The national average price of gas has risen 5 cents per gallon in the last week. Also starting Monday was the increase of Illinois’s motor fuel tax. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the state tax on gasoline is now $0.47 per gallon. The additional tax is a part of Rebuild Illinois to fund infrastructure projects, and will be in effect until June 30, 2025. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, also noted the price of gas could be affected by Hurricane Beryl.

(Washington-jm) – Pork for the grill will probably cost more than last Fourth of July. Gary Crawford reports…

WPXN News Notes…

Rantoul fireworks will take place tonight at 9 at the Rantoul Airport.

Paxton’s Old Fashioned 4th of July will take place on Thursday, July 4th with the 5k beginning at 8 am, Community Worship Service at 9:45, car show from 10-2, antique tractor show and vendors at 11, Bingo from 11-1, kids games at 11:30, kids zone bounce houses 11:30-3, The Back Paiges 12-2, penny scavenger hunt from 1-2, 6-9 vendors at Bixby Park and fireworks at Bixby Park at 9.

Rantoul will hold their 4th of July parade on Thursday, July 4th at 9:30 am.

Sibley will hold their 65th annual 4th of July celebration on Thursday, July 4th with a breakfast at 7:30 am, fishing derby at 8:30, parade at 11:30, climbing all from 1:30-3:30, FunBelievable Balloons from 2-4, Bingo 3-5, face painting 3-6, inflatables 4-7, golf hole in one at4, model airplane and boat show at 4, food trucks at 5, evening entertainment by Train Wreck at 6:30 and fireworks at dusk.