(Springfield-jm) – With Illinois being home to the top state in the country for wrongful convictions, the state agency that oversees police training has now signed off on a plan mandating Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance Training courses at all local police academies. Approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, the first of its kind courses come as data shows wrongly convicted individuals have spent upwards of 21,000 years in U.S. prisons before being exonerated. While Illinois tops the country for the most overturned wrongful convictions, the state is home to one of the lowest reimbursement programs at just $225,000, prompting a growing number of legislators to push to have that cap increased to $2 million.

(Chicago-jm) – Tonight is the final night of the Democratic National Convention. The featured speaker will be presumptive nominee Kamala Harris. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul attended the convention and says he stands by his characterization of former president Donald Trump, but points out he is not characterizing the entire Republican party...

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says Democrats should focus on their party's ideals, and not spend time arguing with others...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois has announced the grand marshal for this year's homecoming parade. WCIA News Anchor and 1993 alum Jennifer Roscoe will serve as grand marshal. The parade will start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, beginning at the corner of Fourth Street and Kirby Avenue, turning at Gregory Drive, and continuing west to First Street where it heads south toward Grange Grove at Memorial Stadium. A pep rally will follow the parade.

(Rantoul–jc)  Village of Rantoul employees have been working on well number 8 and local leaders have helped with providing some needed equipment. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says they purchased some specialized equipment for the repairs...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith 

(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City leaders are working to support workers and families of RhinoAg after the company announced earlier this week that they will be closing their Gibson City facility in March. GCMS Superintendent Jeremy Darnell released a statement on social media saying the district has a couple of custodian positions open and also reminded families they have financial vouchers available. The city is also working with local state legislative officials to bring resources for those who may need assistance in finding a job.

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton's Foundation "Crown on the Town" project to re-furbish the old water tower in downtown Paxton continues. Stan Foster of Paxton continues to make the new tank that will be placed in downtown Paxton this fall. Paxton Foundation Spokesperson Royce Baier provides an update on the project

Paxton Foundation Spokesperson Royce Baier. Donations for the 100 thousand dollar project are being accepted at the Frederick Community Bank of Paxton. Site work in downtown Paxton is expected in later September or early October

(Undated-jm) – With a lack of extreme heat or precipitation this summer, the Illinois corn and soybean crops are faring well. According to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture survey, the soybean crop condition was rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 21% fair, 53% good, and 17% excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 89%, compared to the 5-year average of 79%.  The corn condition was rated 4% poor, 18% fair, 56% good, and 20% excellent. Corn dented reached 40%, compared to the 5-year average of 27%. In 2023, Illinois farmers produced 2.2 billion bushels of corn, slightly up from the previous year, with an average yield of 206 bushels per acre. While Illinois ranks number two in corn production behind Iowa, the state is number one in total economic output contribution due to corn farming.

(Washington-jm) – Midwest corn and soybean crops should continue to benefit from ideal growing weather as the calendar turns from summer to fall. Rod Bain reports...

(Springfield-jm) – A new program aims to close the digital divide in Illinois. State officials are in the process of implementing the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD Program, a federal grant program that aims to get all Americans online by funding partnerships between states or territories, communities and stakeholders to build infrastructure where high-speed internet is currently unavailable. It is estimated that 1.3 million households in Illinois do not have a subscription to high-speed internet. Devon Braunstein, director of the Illinois Office of Broadband, said Illinois will be receiving a sizable portion of the $42 billion going out to states.

(Tuscola–Northbound traffic along Interstate 57 near Arcola and Tuscola is being diverted onto U-S Route 45 this morning. State police say a cattle hauler crashed in that area around 3 this morning. State police say to use extra caution in that area. 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District now has an easier way to keep up with food pantries in the area. The public health district launched an interactive Google map that highlights all the pantries across Champaign County. The new tool is designed to help anyone in need of food assistance find nearby resources quickly and easily.

(Paxton–jc) –  One downtown Paxton business has new owners and they have expanded their menu to include breakfasts. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the new owners of the La Hacienda Cantina have expanded the menu and are in the process of getting the buildings to its south filled...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Carnegie Library will host a FAFSA completion workshop tomorrow night. The workshop will be put on by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and will take place from 3-5 pm. Those attending will learn about state and federal financial aid opportunities and receive assistance filling out their FAFSA application.

(Gibson City–jc)  –  It was a fabulous event attended by around 8 thousand people this past Saturday in Gibson City. Bret Michaels headlined the event along with Jefferson Starship. Gibson Area Hospital Employee and Community Events Coordinator Bill Kirby says that even before this past Saturday, they have been working on the act for 20-25...

Gibson Area Hospital Employee and Community Events Coordinator Bill Kirby

(Champaign-jm) – The contracts for support staff and full-time faculty at Parkland Community College are officially finalized. The Board of Trustees voted to approve three-year collective bargaining agreements for Parkland Academic Employees and Parkland Professional Support Staff Association at a special meeting. Academic employee's agreement includes a 5.5% salary increase in the first year of the contract, a 5.45% raise for the second year and a 3.95% increase for the third year. Additionally, the agreement for support staff includes a 5.5% salary increase in the first year, a 4% raise plus $600 for the second year, and a 3.25% increase plus $600 for the third year.

(Washington-jm) – USDA's Farm Service Agency has announced this year's acreage enrollment numbers for the various Conservation Reserve Program offerings. Rod Bain reports...