(Chicago-jm) – Union leaders in Illinois are suggesting that they'll push Gov. J.B. Pritzker for taxpayer funding of new professional sports stadiums in Chicago. The Illinois General Assembly did not approve spending on proposed Chicago sports facilities this year, but at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, AFL-CIO President Tim Drea said Pritzker is not necessarily against stadium funding.

(Chicago-jm) – The Democratic National Convention wrapped up last night in Chicago. Illinois U-S Senator Dick Durbin says he has great respect for Kamala Harris, going back to when they served together on the Senate Judiciary Committee...

U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.

(Decatur-jm) – State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur achieved a 100% voting record with the National Federation of Independent Business during the 103rd General Assembly. The NFIB serves as an advocate for small business owners and works with legislators to pass legislation that allows small businesses to survive. The NFIB is one of many organizations that scores Illinois legislators at the end of each General Assembly by comparing the voting records of each Illinois state legislator to the organization's position on select legislation. Out of the eligible Illinois state legislators, 30 representatives and five senators achieved a 100% voting record.

(Gibson City-jm) – The Regional Planning Commission's Workforce Development program is stepping in to provide immediate assistance to the workers who will be affected by the RhinoAg closure in Gibson City. The manufacturing facility announced on Tuesday that they will let 80 employees go by the end of March 2025, but RPC representatives have already spoken with RhinoAg President Lisa Tubbs and are working with their Human Resources manager to provide Rapid Response Workshops to the dislocated workers.

(Rantoul–jc)  –  The number of teams and participants continues to grow at the Rantoul Sports Complex. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says Rantoul has seen more visitors again this year around the sports complex and the shopping center near the complex is also full and operating...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Champaign-jm) – The registration is open for floats in the Champaign Parade of Lights later this year. The parade is scheduled for November 30 in downtown Champaign, and the theme this year is Candy Cane Lane.

(Springfield-jm) – With Illinois already home to the second-worst unemployment rate in the country, Republican state Rep. Dan Ugaste is warning the worst may still be yet to come. New U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the state's unemployment rate now stands at 5.2%, or nearly a full percentage point above the national average of 4.3%, as at least 341,630 residents were reported to be looking for work over that time. During the month of July, the state added just 37,300 jobs, with government jobs accounting for the highest growth rates at 6.25%. The professional and business sector saw the largest net decline at nearly 3%. Illinois also ranked dead last in job growth among neighboring states at 0.61, and since the pandemic the state ranks 45th in the country in job recovery with just a 0.25% overall increase

(Chicago-jm) – The Democratic National Convention is in the books and all eyes are now set on the November 5th election. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says they need to take the energy and enthusiasm from the convention out to their communities and help drum up votes...

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

(Normal-jm) – Normal Police and the McLean County Coroner are investigating the death of a 15-year-old girl Thursday morning. Officers were called just before 10 a.m. to Normal West for a student experiencing a medical emergency. A school resource officer was on scene and helped school staff who rendered aid to the student, police said. The teen was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced deceased.

(Urbana-jm) – As University of Illinois students are moving into their campus homes, the university is rolling out the welcome mat to new students with a series of events this weekend. This means traffic closures for some campus streets. The New Student Convocation and Welcome Celebration on Friday will take place at State Farm Center, the convocation will result in an L-shaped closure on First Street and Kirby Avenue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., First Street will close between Peabody Drive and Kirby and Kirby will close between First and Fourth Streets. Quad Day on Sunday will also result in a closure. To connect the Main and South Quads, where informational booths are set up for student organizations, Gregory Street will close between the Morrow Plots and Sixth Street.

(Champaign–dm)- The third week in August marks Contact Lens Health Week. It's a time to make sure you are using the sight aids correctly, and maybe throw out that old case while you're at it. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more from a local eye doctor

 Avoid artificial lenses, like ones you see at Halloween. And Doctor Solá (SOE-lah) says if you think your contact is stuck, it probably isn't. But see an eye doctor anyway.

(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul business is moving. Lindsey Lane Bridal announced on facebook they will be moving later this year after they purchased the Linden from Millie Roseman. All events scheduled for the Linden will go on as planned through the end of the year. Interior renovations are expected to take place in January.

WPXN Weekend News Notes...

The Harvest Moon Twin Drive in in Gibson City will hold their Rocky Horror Picture Show tonight and tomorrow.

The 2024 Mahomet Music Festival will take place tonight and tomorrow. Tonights headlining acts are Rearview with John and Mikayla and on Saturday night the headlining act is Drew Baldridge opening for Dylan Scott. All concerts are free.

Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting the Loda Lutheran Ladies Aid on Saturday from 10-2.

The 20th annual Knight for Christ benefit auction for Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will take place on Saturday at the Ford County fairgrounds in Melvin starting at 3:30pm. Tickets are available by calling the school at 217-394-2547.

The Gibson Area Music Foundation will hold its annual hymn festival on Sunday from 3-4 pm at the Gibson City United Methodist Church.