(Springfield-jm) – With the price of oil on the rise because of tensions in the Middle East, the high gas taxes in Illinois only makes things more expensive for motorists. A study by the Tax Foundation shows that Illinois has the second highest gas taxes in the country, behind only California, the only two states with gas taxes that top 60 cents per gallon. The lowest gas tax in the continental U.S. is Mississippi at just 18 cents per gallon. Illinoisans pay 66.5 cents in taxes per gallon. In neighboring Missouri, the gas tax is less than a quarter, something that Adam Hoffer, Tax Foundation director of Excise Tax Policy, said on the group's podcast that it is a fact not lost on Illinois drivers. Neighboring Iowa's gas tax is 30 cents a gallon. Kentucky's is 30.1 cents. Wisconsin's is 32.9 cents. Indiana's is 51.7 cents.

(Paxton–jc) Rantoul schools started on Wednesday and today is the first day of school for the Paxton Buckley Loda School District. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley says several upgrade projects have been completed this summer and work at the football field continues...

Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley

(Springfield-jm) – An initiative of a drug treatment provider in Coles County, sponsored in the House by State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland, has been signed into law by the governor.  The treatment provider had noted the difficulty of getting people to court and to court ordered drug treatment and asked for help in finding a solution for the problem...

State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland. The bill amends the Counties Code to permit counties to apply transportation funds to assist persons attending problem solving courts.    The new law provides that a county may use funds designated by law or ordinance for transportation purposes to fund rides for persons to attend problem-solving courts.   It also allows a county to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with another unit of local government for this purpose.

(Danville-jm) – The Vermilion County Animal Shelter in Danville is in need of more wet food for their puppies. Shelter staff said donors can drop off food products at their building, during their usual hours. After hours, food and other donations can be placed in the black container outside the Animal Control door.

(Rantoul–jc)  Those in the village of Rantoul know the names of coaches Hal Summers and Marguarette Carter. The Rantoul J W Eater Gym has been dedicated in their honor. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith also proclaimed yesterday as Hal Summers and Marguarette Carter day in Rantoul...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

(Monticello-jm) – A Monticello Police Officer who was arrested on Tuesday has now been charged with disseminating child sexual abuse material by Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Piatt Count State's Attorney Sarah Perry. William "Craig" Griswold was charged in Piatt County Circuit Court with four counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies each punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Griswold is currently in the DeWitt County Jail, and his next hearing is set for Sept. 9.

(Springfield–jc)  –An Illinois congresswoman is praising President Joe Biden for designating the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot as a national monument. U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski said she led a letter to the president calling for this action in December During the riot, a mob of white residents attacked Springfield's Black community, burning down homes and businesses. In the aftermath of the riot, the N-Double A-C-P was formed.

(Paxton–jc)  Masonic Lodges in the state of Illinois are celebrating Lodge visibility day. Paxton Masonic Lodge Spokesperson Jim Shearl says its a way to provide information about the masons...

Paxton Masonic Lodge 416 spokesperson Jim Shearl

(Springfield-jm) – Lawyers for the family of a Springfield woman shot to death by a sheriff's deputy are calling for changes, including to the Illinois SAFE-T Act. The July killing of Sonya Massey sparked calls for change around the country. Massey was shot while ducking in her kitchen by a Sangamon County sheriff's deputy who is now charged with murder. She had called 911 to report a prowler. The ACLU is now urging Congress to reconsider the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a call backed by Massey's family. The bill would lower the criminal intent standard to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution and limit qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer. The family is also calling for an expanded national database of police officers.

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced the recipients of $5.5 million in loans through Round II of the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program. Through the program, 23 qualified, licensed social equity dispensaries are receiving $240,000 direct forgivable loans financed by Illinois taxpayers. Applicants were selected based on factors including social equity status, financial need, financial resources, and progress toward becoming operational.

(Cissna Park–dm) Cissna Park's Old Settlers Celebration gets underway this evening. Spokesperson Richard Swing Tells us about this evening's activities.

Old Settler's Spokesperson Richard Swing.  The festivities go through Saturday evening. WPXN will be broadcasting live on Saturday morning for the parade at noon and a facebook live of the parade at noon on Saturday

(Watseka-jm) – Four Central Illinois fire departments spent five hours putting out a house fire in Watseka Wednesday. The Watseka Fire Department was alerted of the fire near South 5th Street and East Hamilton Avenue, fire crews found heavy smoke coming from the vacant home's second-floor window. Crescent City, Milford and Woodland Fire Departments also showed up to help, along with Riverside Ambulance. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, though it is reported to have started in a second-floor bedroom. No one was hurt in the incident.

(Springfield–jc)  – The Sale of Champions was held at the Illinois State Fair last night. WPXN's Joel Cluver has some local results...

(Chicago–jc)  –Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate are expected to hold a joint rally next week in Milwaukee while the Democratic National Convention is going on in Chicago. According to the New York Times, Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will host a rally Tuesday at the same arena where the Republican National Convention took place. The Times also reported that former President Barack Obama will address the DNC on Tuesday.

(Springfield-jm) – The state is warning about a text scam that's circulating. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the scam is purporting to be from the Illinois Tollway...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Board voted to place a referendum question on the November 5 ballot asking voters if they find it OK to pursue separation from Cook County government to form a new state. The non-binding referendum has gained support from several downstate counties. A group is proposing the separation out of frustration of playing second-fiddle to Democrat-dominated Cook County. Many have voiced the frustration – for years –of being overlooked by the political strong arm of Cook County.  If nothing else, it sends a message that downstate is tired of being ignored by policy-makers. Opposition to the move to separate finds most people saying downstate separation from Cook County would be an economic disaster.  Without a connection to Chicago, downstate would lose some 75% of federal funding Chicago brings to Illinois. Lack of resources would  leave nothing for the rest of the state. It's unlikely anything would happen. The State Legislature and the Federal government would have to approve such a move. There were two dissenting votes from the Iroquois County Board ---- Mitchell Bence and Raymond Williams. Chad McGinnis and John Zumwalt were absent.

(Paxton–jc) Other than deliveries, no semi's will be filling up at a proposed gas station and convenience store planned for Paxton's west side. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they are also looking into other issues for the site...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

WPXN News Notes...

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today from 9-9:30 at Edge Insurance in Buckley, 10-10:30 at Durham Park in Onarga, 11-11:30 at the Crescent City Community Center, 12:30-1 at Runnings in Watseka and from 1:30-2 at Milford Town and Country.

The 2024 Cissna Park Old Settlers will take place this eveing through the Saturday.  Tonight its armband special night from 6-10 pm, bingo 6-10 and talent show at 7:30. On Friday, its $25 arm band special from 6-10, the CP-CI hall of fame announcement at 6:30, Bingo from 6-10, Dennis Stroughmatt will perform at 8pm with Ridgeland performing from 8:30-midnight. On Saturday, its the 5k run walk at 7:30 am, parade at noon, kiddie waterball at 2, kiddie tractor pull at 3, armband special 1-5 and 6-10, bingo 6-10.