(Springfield-jm) – A defendant in the upcoming federal prosecution of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan wants his own trial separate from Madigan. Defendant Michael McClain, a former state lawmaker and ComEd lobbyist known for his close association with Madigan, has filed a request to sever his trial from Madigan's because Madigan's defense team plans to blame McClain for any wrongdoing. In an 11-page motion, McClain's defense attorney, Patrick Cotter, alluded to Madigan's plans, but those parts of the motion were redacted from public view. Regardless, Cotter said they can't stand together.

(Springfield-jm) – Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, which negotiate the terms for prescription drug access for much of the country, was the focus of an Illinois House hearing Tuesday. Pharmacists have urged Illinois state lawmakers to enact legislation banning certain drug pricing practices by PBMs, which they said hurt local pharmacies. They have testified that they are being damaged by PBMs through the price of acquiring drugs wholesale and dispensing them at little or no profit.

(Washington-jm) – Weather trends for the next few days continue to favor the development of corn and soybeans in much of the Midwest. Rod Bain reports...

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Clerk & Recorder is calling for poll workers as the presidential election draws nearer. Election judges ensure that polling places remain accessible and run smoothly on Election Day and during early voting. Prospective election judges must attend the training and pass a test to be considered for the role. Qualified high school juniors and seniors can also serve as election judges. Each election judge will receive $220 in return for working 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day.

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College Women's Soccer will hold a High School ID Camp on Saturday, July 27, from noon to 2 p.m. at Parkland College. Players may begin arriving at 11:30 a.m. to turn in forms at Parkland College with training and match play to take place beginning at noon. Space in the camp is limited to juniors and seniors only and to the first 20 field players and up to four goalkeepers. Registration online must be done the day before each camp date. 

(Urbana–jc) It's the 171st version of an event going on now through Saturday in Urbana. The 20-24 Champaign County Fair has daily activities including harness racing last night and monster trucks tonight and more. Champaign County Fair Spokesperson Bob Barker says the event continues as a 9 day event for the whole family...

Champaign County Fair Spokesperson Bob Barker

(Springfield-jm) – Year-over-year home sales dropped while median prices continued surging up in Illinois during June, according to data from Illinois REALTORS. In June 2024, statewide home sales of 12,422 homes sold was 16.7 percent lower than 14,917 sold in June 2023. The 19,404 homes available for sale statewide in June was 1.9 percent more than the 19,043 available homes in June 2023. The monthly median price of $315,050 in June 2024 was the highest number recorded since Illinois REALTORS began tracking that data in 2008. The June median price was 8.6 percent higher than it was in June 2023 at $290,000.

(Gilman–jc) One Iroquois County city is set to bring in a new banking facility as goods and services continue to grow. Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfeld says officials with the Iroquois Farmers State Bank are in the process of purchasing a lot in Gilman to build a branch bank...

Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfeld

(Springfield-jm) – With early voting for the Nov. 5 election beginning in just over two months in Illinois, the political parties are putting out their election integrity teams. Early voting in Illinois begins 40 days before the November election in Illinois, or around Sept. 26. Former Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy said Illinois voting needs reforms. New Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said Republicans plan to drive voters to the polls under the state's rules. Any election fraud allegations can be reported to local law enforcement and county and state elections officials.

(Springfield-jm) – A woman's 18-karat yellow gold Rolex Oyster watch, Mike Singletary and Troy Aikman football cards, and scores of collectable coins, bills and bars of precious metals are just some of the 250 unclaimed property lots on display for the public to preview on Thursday before next month's live auction at the Illinois State Fair. Treasurer Michael Frerichs will serve as guest auctioneer for some of these top items at the start of the live auction, which begins at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17 on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The unclaimed property has been divided into 250 lots for the auction, with some lots consisting of a single item and other lots consisting of multiple items.

(Washington-jm) – A section of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is responsible for review of biotechnological produced plants for potential risks and regulation. Rod Bain reports...

(Undated-jm) – A new bill in the Capitol aims to keep everyone a bit safer during severe weather, particularly those who live in mobile homes. Now, weather radios are required to be installed in newly manufactured mobile homes.

(Kankakee-jm) – On Monday, organizers of the "I Got Your Six 5K" made a $65,000 donation toward KCC scholarships in memory of Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and honoring the resilience of Bradley Police Sgt. Tyler Bailey. The donation funds the Rittmanic-Bailey Law Enforcement Scholarship at Kankakee Community College. For the 2024-25 school year, Jesus Salazar of Bradley and Jesus Guzman-Perez of Bourbonnais are each receiving a $5,500 scholarship to enroll in the KCC law enforcement and criminal justice programs. On Dec. 29, 2021, Rittmanic was killed in the line of duty, and Bailey sustained critical injuries during a noise disturbance call at a Bradley hotel. Bailey spent nearly 11 months in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities before returning home. He earned the rank of sergeant in December 2022 and retired from the Bradley Police Department in May 2023.

(Springfield-jm) – Chicago is preparing for the Democratic National Convention that will be held in August. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the upcoming convention...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Undated-jm) – Smoke from several wildfires burning in the western U.S. and Canada is now drifting across Illinois. Light smoke combined with unhealthy ozone concentrations is creating unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups, especially in northern Illinois. So far, this year's fires are a fraction of the size of the blazes that broke out across Canada last year, contributing to numerous days of significant particulate matter pollution. The National Weather Service in Chicago now has a count of 24 confirmed tornadoes from last Monday's storm, setting a new daily record in the forecast area. Assessment is still ongoing with local emergency management agencies. There were six confirmed tornadoes in Sunday's storm.  Any additional damage can be submitted to local EMA offices.

(Urbana–jc)  the 171st Champaign County Fair continues on the fairgrounds on north Coler avenue in Urbana. One must stop and familiar stop at the fair is Culler Fries. Owner Keith Cullers says they have been at the Champaign County fair to the Illinois state fair for nearly 80 years...

Cullers Fries Spokesperson Keith Cullers

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.

Tonight at the Champaign County Fair its Monster Trucks at 7.