(Springfield-jm) – Illinois police departments had a busy year in 2023, with an increase in traffic stops over the year before. In Illinois Department of Transportation data compiled by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, there was a 12% increase in traffic stops last year from 2022. Police in Illinois conducted another 200,000 additional stops in 2023 compared with 2022. The ACLU reports the numbers are based on data that every law enforcement agency in the state is supposed to report annually, although about 20% of police agencies failed to submit the required data for 2023.

(Springfield-jm) – Migrants who get deported from the country may be able to keep their professional license from Illinois under a new law.  Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure into law last week. House Bill 5457 provides that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may not revoke, suspend, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action against a license or permit issued under the law based solely upon an immigration violation. 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  Newly appointed Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susie Avalos is looking to get ideas from chamber members on how the chamber can serve the local area. Avalos says they are in the planning stages of several chamber type events...

Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susie Avalos

(Loda–jc)  The 14th annual Loda Truck and Tractor pull is set for Sunday on the west side of the village. Along with music, fireworks, and a parade on Saturday, the village of Loda is a destination both Saturday and Sunday, says event spokesperson John Zalaker...

Loda Truck and Tractor Pull and Loda Events Spokesperson John Zalaker

Tickets for a new golf cart raffle remain available from event organizers.

(Champaign-jm) – Two more people were recently charged for incidents that took place at April's pro-Palestine protests on the University of Illinois campus. 35-year-old Elizabeth Sotiropoulos of Champaign and 25-year-old Joseph Kleckner of Savanna were each charged with mob action and obstructing a peace officer. Sotiropoulos is a former Champaign Unit 4 school board member and was identified after authorities compared footage of her speaking at an Urbana City Council meeting. Kleckner is said to have been found after a license plate reader caught his vehicle dropping off supplies for the protestors.

(Crescent City–jc)  Another successful Iroquois County Fair ended on Sunday. Iroquois County board members are thanking all the participants and fair goers for again making the Iroquois County fair a huge success. 20-24 Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen Jahni Lavicka of Milford says she is ready to represent Iroquois County at the Illinois State fair in August...

2024 Miss Iroquois County Fair Jahni Lavicka of Milford

(Savoy-jm) – A new study from iFly CU shows flight levels in Champaign County have nearly recovered to their pre-pandemic levels. Data from iFly CU shows Champaign County is seeing passengers double from 1,300 to 2,700 per day over the last 10 years. Despite this, only 15% of travelers in Champaign County fly out of Willard Airport. This is down from their peak of 22% in 2017.

(Paxton–jc)  the Paxton Masonic Lodge 4-16 is hosting a fundraiser to help with local charity projects. It's the 6th annual..."Get our of Dodge" raffle. Grand prize is a 4 day 3 night stay in Las Vegas says Paxton Masonic Lodge Spokesperson Jim Sherl...

Paxton Masonic Lodge 4-16 Spokesperson Jim Sherl. The drawing for all prizes is Paxton Swine and Dine day Saturday September 21st at Paxton's Commandery Building

(Springfield-jm) – As test scores continue to drop in Illinois' public schools, a home educator in Chicago is encouraging parents to consider other options. Latasha Fields has been a home educator for 18 years. She said those that can home school should home school. Fields said that when you look at proficiency in reading and math, there is no reason to encourage public education in the state of Illinois. Financial help may be available for parents who want to send their children to private schools. Last year, the Illinois General Assembly failed to keep the Invest in Kids school choice scholarship tax credit program available to low-income students and their families. Fields said that many schools offer scholarships to families, even though the Invest in Kids Act is no longer in effect.

(Chicago-jm) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate for the November election. President Joe Biden announced Sunday he was not seeking reelection. Pritzker praised Biden for his service with an initial statement. Monday morning, Pritzker's campaign said he is proud to endorse Harris, who could accept the party's nomination next month in Chicago before taking on former President Donald Trump Nov. 5. 

(Melvin–jc)-- The 2024 Knight for Christ fundraiser to benefit Christian education at Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley is set for Saturday August 24th at the Ford County fairgrounds in Melvin.  Knight for Christ spokesperson Larry Abbe says tickets are available...

Knight for Christ spokesperson Larry Abbe

(Piper City-jm) – A guilty plea to charges of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child in Ford County against a Piper City man now finds a sentencing date for late September. 54-year-old Karl Metke entered a guilty plea to 2-counts as jury selection was to get started in the case. Ford County State's Attorney Andrew Killian reports Metke's victim had been sexually abused for seven years. Metke now faces a mandatory sentence of Natural Life in prison. Sentencing in Ford County scheduled for September 24 before Judge Matthew Fitton.

(Cissna Park–jc)  Cissna Park Development Board members are in the middle of their Shop the Park events. Two have been held and there are two more, One in August and the next one in September. Cissna Park Development Board member and Spokesperson Rachael Bauer says the mural project is coming to Cissna Park too..

Cissna Park Development Board Member Rachael Bauer. The next shop the park is set for Saturday August 10th from 9am to 1pm.

(Danville-jm) – Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden  identified the body of 12-year-old Christopher D. London of Danville who was recovered from the Vermilion River this past Friday. Coroner McFadden stated his family had been located and notified. An autopsy was conducted on Saturday. No foul play is suspected and no preliminary results will be released at this time.

(Urbana–jc)  the 171st Champaign County Fair continues on the fairgrounds on north Coler Avenue in Urbana. Champaign County Fair Spokesperson Bob Barker says its "senior day" today with harness racing tonight...

Champaign County Fair Spokesperson Bob Barker

WPXN News notes...

It's Senior Day at the Champaign County Fair with activities for seniors from 10-2, carnival opens at 5 with $30 unlimited ride bracelets and harness racing at 6.

Rantoul will hold their finalFreedom Friday on Friday, July 26th with DJ Silkee performing in downtown Rantoul. There's also inflatables, bags tournament, food and drinks.