(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers approved a tax credit of up to about $300 for families with young children as part of the new state budget and now the governor is touting that the credit will give back to families who need it the most. The credit is available to Illinoisans with children under age 12 who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. That credit is typically only available to married couples filing jointly, earning up to about $60,000, and single people earning up to about $50,000. Opponents say the tax credit isn't all that glamorous because it only affects certain families for a $300 income tax credit. For taxes on 2024 income, the tax credit will cap at just over $300 for filers with three or more children under the age of 12. Taxpayers with two children face a cap of about $270 and taxpayers with one child face a cap of about $170. Niemerg said the credit is a drop in the bucket and there needs to be real reform.
(Springfield-jm) – IDOT has announced their latest multi-year plan. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the state's investment in roads and bridges...
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign County-jm) – As record-breaking levels of cases of dengue fever are spreading across the United States, at least one person in Central Illinois is reported to have dengue fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 34 Illinois residents have tested positive with dengue fever. 24 have been reported in Cook County. The other 10 cases are across the following five counties: Champaign, Ogle, Will, Lake, and DuPage. All of those counties have listed 1 to 4 cases, according to the CDC's dashboard. Dengue is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, rash, joint and bone pain, and headaches.
(Watseka–dm)-Iroquois County real estate taxes are coming due today. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story.
(Champaign-jm) – A Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event has been scheduled to take place in Champaign County on Saturday, August 17. This drop-off event is sponsored by the Illinois EPA and is open to all Illinois residents. Residents must pre-register for this event here by selecting an available time slot between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. This event will take place at the State Farm Center, 1800 S. First Street in the SW parking lot off Saint Mary's Road.
(Penfield–dm)-Historic Farm Days are going on now thru Sunday in Penfield. We asked Historic Farm Days Spokesperson Russel Buhr just where does everyone come from who attends the event.
Historic Farm Days Spokesperson Russell Buhr.
(Ppaxton–dm)-Starting Sunday, the price of a "Forever" stamp will increase. WPXN's Dan Musrush has the details...
(Champaign–jc) – The left-westbound lane of Interstate 74 was blocked for several hours earlier Thursday afternoon due to a disabled semi tractor trailer. State Police were advising the motoring public to seek an alternate route. Traffic was backed up in the area near Prospect Avenue along I-74 for about 2 hours. Work in that area continues and State Police continue to remind motorists to slow down and obey the speeds and lane changes in that area
(Washington-jm) – There's more good news on the food price front. Gary Crawford reports...
(Springfield-jm) – It was a down month for Illinois casinos in June, as their combined revenue dropped nearly 4% from the previous month. According to the Illinois Gaming Board, the state's 15 casinos generated just over $138 million in June. Revenues were up more than 13% compared to June of last year. Much of that improvement can be attributed to the fact that two new venues have opened since then. Overall, Illinois casinos generated just over $28 million in taxes for the state in June, along with $8.6 million in local taxes.
(Penfield-jm) – The 2024 Historic Farm Days continues in Penfield. Club president Chuck Stelter talks about what's happening today...
Historic Farm Days Club president Chuck Stelter
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is launching a new program that they hope will improve community safety by taking a look from above. The department announced that it will start using drones to monitor community events and in-progress situations. Officials said this will help them photograph crime scenes and traffic crashes with speed and accuracy and improve safety of both the community and police personnel. It can also help out in missing persons cases.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor J B Pritzker continues to say he supports President Joe Biden's bid for re-election. A poor debate and questions about health continue to surface surrounding President Biden. Governor J B Pritzker says he supports the re-election bid for Joe Biden...
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker
(Danville-jm) – Employees at a Danville prison have been told their data may be compromised. The Illinois Department of Corrections is investigating a breach of personalized data at the Danville Correctional Center. IDOC says they notified the Illinois Attorney General, Illinois General Assembly, and the Department of Information Technology about the leak, under Illinois' Personal Information Protection Act.
(Fisher-jc) – Yesterday at the Fisher Community Fair was the Philo Country Music Show and the second day of I-T-P-A Tractor Pulls. There are two big days of the fair today and Saturday, says Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter...
Fisher Community Fair President Todd Cotter.
(Kanakakee-jm) – On Wednesday, June 10th, 2024, at approximately 12:00 p.m., KAMEG Agents, assisted by the Kankakee City Police Department and Illinois State Police Troop 5, arrested Travaris M. Rowell Jr., age 23, Kankakee, IL, following a search warrant at his residence, 565 W. Henry St. Apt. #1, Kankakee. The search warrant execution resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,226 grams of suspected cannabis, 153 suspected fentanyl pills, approximately 93.1 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 66.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and United States Currency. 2 vehicles were also seized in conjunction with the investigation. Rowell Jr, has been initially charged with the following: 3 counts of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine), 3 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Deliver, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver, and Child Endangerment.
(Undated–jc) –Members of law enforcement will be participating in a charity bike ride across the state to honor officers who have died in the line of duty. The 20th Annual Cycle Across Illinois is underway and will continue through Sunday as participants ride from Edwardsville to Chicago. The event benefits Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS, an organization that supports police departments and their families in times of mourning. This year, COPS has recognized six fallen members of law enforcement.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA is about to release a new forecast for the winter wheat crop. Gary Crawford reports...
(Springfield-jm) – A new report says people receiving food stamp benefits in Illinois may not be getting enough to adequately feed their family. A study conducted by the nonpartisan research group Urban Institute found that SNAP benefits are falling short. Their data shows the average maximum SNAP benefit in 2023 was $2.84 per meal, which is $0.53 less than the average cost of a modestly priced meal, $3.37
WPXN Weekend News Notes...
The 2024 Fisher Community Fair continues through Saturday. Tonight its $25 armband special starting at 6 and country music group Sawyer Brown at 7. On Saturday, its the 5k at 8 am, mutt show at 9, car show at 11, drone racing from 1-3 and demolition derby at 6.
The 2024 Historic Farm Days in Penfield continues through Sunday in Penfield. Today its tractor games at 10, kids games 12-7, tractor parade at 1 and ITPA pulls at 5. On Saturday, its tractor games at 10, tractor parade at 1, kiddie pull at 2:30 and IPA pulls at 5. On Sunday, its the tractor drive at 9, church service at 9:30, tractor parade at 1 and raffle tractor drawing at 2.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold their foodmobile today from 9-10 at the Fountain Valley Mobile Home Park in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.
Rantoul will hold their second Freedom Friday tonight with the band Bordertown performing in downtown Rantoul. There's also inflatables, bags tournaments, food and drinks.
