(Springfield-jm) – With early voting just around the corner, an elections official wants to instill confidence in voters around Illinois' election process. Early voting for the November 5 general election begins September 26 in Illinois. Mail in ballot applications are in the mail to Illinois voters. Requests must be returned by October 31. Tazewell County Clerk and Recorder John Ackerman recently held a roundtable discussion to address concerns there may be this election cycle. Illinois' elections are decentralized, meaning each of the state's 102 counties have their own elections authority, with separate authorities in some larger municipalities that independently run their jurisdictions' elections. Among concerns that have been raised is the increase in mail-in voting. Ackerman said there are safeguards in place, with one exception, the affidavit.

(Springfield-jm) – A new program in Illinois aims to help organizations that work with older adults better understand the LGBTQ plus community's needs. Capitol News Illinois reports OUTSafe is a violence prevention program run by the Springfield organization AgeLinc (age link). Part of the program teaches organizations how to use language that is inclusive and affirming, so older LGBTQ plus people feel safe sharing their identity and concerns. Groups that can take the training include service providers, healthcare workers and police departments. Scott Linde (lin-dee), who works with AgeLinc says this training is about understanding...

Scott Linde. OUTSafe training is available to any group that works with seniors across the state and can be done in person or virtually. You can learn more at agelinc-dot-org-slash-lgbtsupport.

(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman has announced the recipients of Deputy of the Year, Correctional Officer of the Year, and Court Security Officer of the Year. Deputy Kyle Sellek is being recognized as Deputy of the Year. Officer Nickole Johnson is being recognized as Correctional Officer of the Year. Officer Dylan Bullard is being recognized as Court Security Officer of the Year for his work as a training officer and leader for the Court Security team.

(Paxton–jc)  –  A proposed gas station and convenience store near Interstate 57 in Paxton would bring in traffic to the city and also motor fuel taxes. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the idea is to bring some interstate traffic into Paxton to buy gas and more...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is asking for help in solving a bank robbery case through Crime Stoppers. The robbery happened the morning of July 27 at the Busey Bank branch at 2011 West Springfield Ave. Officials said that just after 9 a.m., a man entered the bank and demanded money while implying he had a gun. The offender was given cash and left the bank. The offender is described as being a Black male with a medium build. During the robbery, he wore a gray hat, black and white women's shirt, and gray pants, along with a mask, sunglasses and a blonde wig.

(Washington-jm) – The USDA forecast calls for record corn and soybean yields. Gary Crawford reports...

(Paxton–dm) Ford County Officials have a tax sale coming later this fall. WPXN's Dan Mushrush has the details...

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's five-year growth plan for the state of Illinois is out. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity says the plan focuses on growth sectors like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, next-generation agriculture, and business climate improvements while promoting equitable growth and building out of "the new clean energy economy." The plan can be found at DCEO's website.

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker signed several controversial bills into law recently. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the laws...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Springfield-jm) – In about one week, the U of I campus will start to fill up with students once again. But, will they have a place to live? In July, University Housing said this has been an unusual year. More students signed contracts than anticipated and there has been a shortage of rooms. The housing department said everyone is now assigned a room. There are fewer than 10 students University Housing is still trying to find a solution for, but he said those people signed their contracts after Aug. 1.

(Gibson City–dm)-This Saturday the Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services will be hosting their annual Summer Bash featuring Bret Michaels and Jefferson Starship.  General admission is free, or you can purchase VIP Party Pit Passes if you want to get closer to the stage.  GAHHS Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby Explains.

GAHHS Director of Employee and Community Event Bill Kirby

(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci's measure to extend utility bill relief so more Illinois households can receive assistance was signed into law on Friday. Faraci's measure eliminates the scheduled sunset date on a state fund that finances two needs-based assistance programs – the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. The fund was set to shut down Jan. 1, 2025. LIHEAP and PIPP offer bill payment assistance to low-income residential utility customers by helping eligible households pay for home energy services. Both assistance programs are administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Had the new law not passed, over 174,000 households statewide could have been affected, including 30,000 households on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan that would have been dropped from the program and lost their benefits on Jan. 1.

(Washington-jm) – Soybean and corn condition ratings have remained amazingly consistent during this growing season. Gary Crawford reports...

(Kankakee–jc)  –  Clove Alliance is a non profit organization dedicated to providing hope and healing to survivors of sexual violence. They now have a certified therapy dog. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the details...

(Undated-jm) – There is a trio of meetings around the area tonight. At 6 in Rantoul, village leaders will be asked to approve a tensioner for the electric department along with a 3 phase voltage regulator.  In Paxton tonight at 7, council members will be asked to approve a donation to the city's annual Swine n Dine event and approve Mayor Bill Ingolds appointment for new director of the Paxton Emergency Response Service. At 7 tonight in St. Joseph, village leaders will be asked to approve a sledge hauling contract and approve the bid for oil and chipping of roads.