(Springfield-jm) – Unions see a clear path through the legislature to boost membership after several legal challenges saw workers leave in droves. This, according to a new report released Wednesday that grades public sector labor laws across the nation. The data was compiled by the Commonwealth Foundation, a policy group that focuses on fiscal conservancy. David Osborne, senior fellow for labor policy at the foundation, said during a media briefing that government privatization, changing demographics and a 2018 Supreme Court decision, Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, have caused membership rates across the nation's four largest public sector unions to fall more than 320,000 over the last five years. The decline represents $106.8 million in annual dues and fees, according to the report.

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court recently ruled slating legislation unconstitutional. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the legislation...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Sheldon-jm) – The Iroquois and Newton County, Indiana, Sheriff's Offices are raising money for a Newton County Corporal who was shot in Iroquois County over the weekend. Corporal Brandon Schreiber was wounded Sunday night while engaging a suspect in a gunfight. The Illinois State Police said the suspect — Andrew Roselius of Clifton — led deputies on a car chase that crossed the Illinois-Indiana border twice before crashing in Sheldon. Roselius was killed during the gunfight.

(Paxton–jc)  –  The extra curricular offerings at  Paxton Buckley Loda schools is more than football and volleyball. The P-B-L school system has more from a robotics team to a math team and more. Paxton Buckley

Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education Wednesday announced $7.4 million in state funding for Career and Technical Education Education Career Pathway Grants awarded to 18 entities serving 39 school districts. The three-year grant addresses the ongoing teacher shortage by equipping high school students with the skills and experience they need to succeed in college-level teacher preparation programs and pursue careers in education. Milford, Mahomet Seymour, Kankakee Area Regional Vocational Education System, Deland-Weldon and Champaign Schools are among the ones receiving the grant.

(Bloomington–jc)  The Illinois High School Association is again partnering with a group called "Officially Human."  WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...

(Springfield-jm) – It may be an early harvest in Illinois this year as crops are maturing earlier than normal.  The latest crop progress and condition report from the United States Department of Agriculture shows 24% of the corn crop is mature. That is compared to the 5-year average of 11% at this time. Corn condition was rated 3% very poor, 5% poor, 21% fair, 54% good, and 17% excellent.  USDA statistician Mark Schleusener said soybeans are ahead of schedule as well. "Fourteen percent of acres were dropping leaves compared to three normally and we received a few reports of soybeans being harvested," said Schleusener. Soybean condition was rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 22% fair, 56% good, and 12% excellent.

(Springfield-jm) – A new report highlights just how bad the state of Illinois has been with the budgetary process over the years. Pew Charitable Trusts found only two states with annual deficits in fiscal year 2022, a record low. Senior associate Page Forrest said Illinois is one of just six states that recorded a 15-year shortfall at the end of fiscal 2022. The report notes that because of chronic deficits, Illinois lawmakers regularly delayed payments to hundreds of vendors for more than a decade. This only made the problem worse, with the backlog peaking at $17 billion in 2017 because Illinois pays up to 12% annual interest on unpaid bills. At the beginning of the pandemic, the federal government quickly approved financial support to states facing a slump in tax collections and a spike in spending demands. But despite the additional federal funds, 19 states, including Illinois, closed fiscal 2020 with an annual deficit, the most states since the Great Recession.

(Paxton–jc) –Paxton city leaders have met with 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett and other state officials about storm water issues on Paxton's southeast side. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says grants or an E-P-A loan could help with the cost of the project...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign City Council approved a resolution to extend the City's policing partnership with the University of Illinois. The University's Police Department is understaffed and this partnership will help to have dedicated police services for the campus-town area. Champaign Police will primarily be assisting with patrol needs such as accidents and traffic control. The U of I will pay the city just over $1.1 million per year for two years. There is an option to add a third year. The resolution passed unanimously.

(Springfield-jm) – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan doesn't want the word "corruption" mentioned at his upcoming corruption trial. Madigan laid out a litany of things he wants excluded from his upcoming racketeering trial in October. The words Madigan's defense team doesn't want the jury to hear are "patronage," "political machine," "Shakman Litigation," "corrupt politicians," "corruption," and "Public Corruption Task Force," and their derivatives, according to a motion pending before Judge Manish Shah. Those words are too prejudicial, the defense argued.

(roberts–jc)  Hoping for a breakthrough and a cure. That is one reason for the Flessner Fest in Roberts on Saturday. Duchenne's disease is a muscular dystrophy illness, with no cure. Event organizer Daniel Flessner says there is hope with some advancements in medicine, but more is needed...

Flessner Fest organizer Daniel Flessner. The event is set to start Saturday morning at 8 with a 5-k. A pancake and sausage breakfast, carriage rides, inflatables, music and raffles highlight the day at Roberts Park.

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is hosting a car seat inspection event on Monday, September 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the north side parking lot garage of 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. Certified child passenger safety technicians and instructor proxy technicians will be available to provide parents and caregivers with complimentary guidance on the proper installation and use of car seats. No appointment is necessary.

(Paxton–jc)  A 9-11 memorial event is set for Paxton on Sunday. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...

WPXN News Notes...

The Harvest Moon Twin Drive in in Gibson City will hold their first of three Frightfest weekends on Friday and Saturday.

The Elliott Amvets will hold their family night dinner on Friday from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes your choice of chicken, fish or shrimp and your choice of 2 sides for $15.

Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth will hold their fall festival on Friday and Super Saturday on Saturday. Friday night will be the fish fry from 4-7 pm. Saturday there will be a car show, variety show, kiddie tractor pull, quilt auction and pork chop supper. Both days from 10-7 will be bounce houses, baked goods, carnival games, tractor show and more.

The 6th annual Huntington's Disease Team Hope Walk, Golf Outing and Dinner will take place on Saturday at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. The Walk starts at 8 am and is $25 for adults, $15 for kids, golf begins at 10:30, dinner and silent auction begin at 5pm and costs $25. For more information call Samantha Cox at 217-249-1421.

Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting Gold Star Mission on Saturday from 10-2.

Dennis Stroughmatt will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday at 7pm. Cost is $10 for those 13 and older. Food will be available starting at 5:30.