(Springfield-jm) – Although a bipartisan measure to raise the threshold on estate taxes stalled in the Illinois General Assembly, the legislation may not be dead yet. 

Current state law says that if an estate is under a $4 million threshold, there are no estate taxes to pay, a number that critics say is too low. If the number is higher, proponents of raising the threshold said some families have been forced to sell off some or all of the family farm just to pay the estate tax. Brian Duncan, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, said the death of a loved one should not be a death sentence for the family farm. Proposed legislation, known as the Family Farm Preservation Act, would raise the estate tax threshold to $6 million. The measure also looks to change the definition of a "qualified heir" to include the siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews or first cousins of the farmer.

(Springfield-jc) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced 270 measures were enacted Friday, ranging from regulations over artificial intelligence, offering digital driver's licenses and requiring climate change education in public schools. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the details...

(Rantoul-jm) – Rantoul Police are investigating a shooting that happened Friday afternoon. The shooting happened on South Maplewood Drive near Grove Avenue around 1:30 p.m. Friday. Police said the shooting victim crashed into a pole in a car, but they are unsure if the victim was shot and then tried to drive or shot while driving. The victim also called 911. Officers treated the victim before they were transported to a local hospital. Police said their injuries are non-life-threatening.

(Champaign-jm) – While the Summer Games have wrapped up, the Paralympic Games are just 17 days away. Around two dozen students, alums and trainees from the University of Illinois will be heading to Paris. You can send them off this Wednesday at 4 p.m. right outside the Disability Resources and Educational Services building on Oak Street. 

(Paxton–dm)-Election Day is just under three months away, and Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick tells us about mail-in voting and early voting.

Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick.  If you have any questions, you can call the County Clerk's office at 217-379-9400.

(Rantoul-jm) – A grand jury returned an indictment on a Champaign man with robbing the Community Plus Federal Credit Union in Rantoul on June 20. Troy D. Burke, 41,was arrested in Rantoul on June 20 by officers and has remained in the custody of law enforcement since that date. He was initially charged by the Champaign County State's Attorney's Office and later charged by federal complaint. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalties for the crime charged are up to 20 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.

(Paxton–dm)-The PBL junior high school will have their open house on Wednesday, August 14th from 5:30-6:30.  The School asks that you enter through the junior high commons.  Students will receive their schedule, meet their teachers, and organize their lockers prior to the first day of school.  If you have any questions, you can call the junior high at 217-379-9202

(Washington-jm) – $300 million dollars, and the European Union, is now available as part of the latest application period within USDA's Regional Agricultural Promotion Program. Rod Bain reports...

(Undated-jm) – There are several meetings around the area tonight. Tonight at 6 in Rantoul, Rantoul Township High School board members will consider a bid to replace the boiler at Eagle Academy. At 7 in Paxton, Ford County Board members are expected to approve a Rivian Ezone expansion and consider the zoning board's recommendation for a solar farm near Gibson City. In Gilman tonight at 7, city leaders are expected to approve the 3rd and Melvin roadway improvement project, consider the creation of a third TIF district and consider the 5th Street sewer interceptor project.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois now ranks as the least affordable state for housing in the Midwest, with 1 in 3 households paying more than 30% of their income for housing as property taxes continue to rise. U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by the Illinois Policy Institute also shows that at least 15% of households pay upwards of 50% of their income for housing, rendering them by federal standards as "severely burdened." At the same time, data shows that the typical homeowner's property taxes have jumped by $756 since 2019, leaving the state home to the second-highest rates in the country. Overall, the typical Illinois homeowner now pays roughly $5,055 in property taxes or more than double the national average of $2,457. More than 50% of voters polled in a recent survey cited high taxes as the primary reason they would leave if given the chance.

(Springfield-jm) – Notebooks, writing tools and laptops are standard supplies on a parent's back-to-school shopping list. But one important appointment that can easily be overlooked in the back-to-school frenzy is a child's eye exam. Terri Dee reports...

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland Community College reached a tentative agreement with its full-time faculty union.The college announced the tentative agreement with the Parkland Academic Employees Friday afternoon in a joint statement.

(Urbana-jm) – Two people were hurt after a shooting early Saturday morning in Urbana. Police say they were called to the 2000 block of Vawter Street just after 3:30 a.m.  When officers arrived they learned two people were taken to the hospital. One person was shot in the arm and the other was shot in the torso. About two hours later police identified the shooter. 48 year old Maurice Conley of Urbana was arrested and is facing Aggravated Battery with a Firearm charge. He is in the Champaign County Jail.

(Paxton–jc)  –  City leaders in Paxton continue to take a pro-active look when it comes to bringing in new businesses to the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the new gas station and convenience store, proposed for the west side of the city, is one that will bring in traffic and consumers into Paxton...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Paxton-jm) – A new bench has been added to the dog park at Coady Park in Paxton. The bench is dedicated in memory of Joseph Stallone, 19, and his girlfriend, Keegynn Martinek, 17, both of Paxton, who died tragically in a two-vehicle crash on June 27, 2023, south of Rankin. The memorial bench, placed on the dog park's southeast side near its entrance, was donated by PBL High School's class of 2024, of which Miss Martinek was a member.

(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci joined the Office of the State Fire Marshal in announcing applications are now being accepted for the Small Equipment Grant Program. The Small Equipment Grant Program assists fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those experiencing difficulty in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The grants allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small tools and equipment they may otherwise not be able to afford. All interested departments should send an application to OSFM electronically or postmarked no later than Oct. 1.

(Washington-jm) – One expert says it's not all black or white when you analyze the current U.S. ag. trade deficit. Gary Crawford reports...