(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Republicans are calling for unity after the FBI reported another apparent assassination attempt against former U.S. President Donald Trump. Members of the Illinois GOP gathered Monday morning after gunshots were reported Sunday at a Florida golf course where the former president was playing. Illinois Republican Chair Kathy Salvi joined several GOP candidates for office at a news conference in downtown Chicago. Chicago Republican Chairman Chuck Hernandez told reporters that violent rhetoric is coming from the left. Illinois GOP Chair Salvi said the world will be safer if Donald Trump returns to the White House.

(East St. Louis-jm) – The bench trial for the challenge to Illinois' gun and magazine ban continues in East St. Louis. Illinois enacted a ban on semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities in January 2023. Lawsuits challenging the law in federal court went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court on preliminary grounds. Justices denied the request, saying they wanted a full case on final judgment. Monday began the trial to get to final judgment in the courtroom of federal Judge Stephen McGlynn. Plaintiffs argue the state can't ban commonly owned firearms. The state says such firearms like the AR-15 are too similar to military weapons and must be banned. The trial continues in the Southern District of Illinois federal court today.

(Washington-jm) – Several categories in USDA's latest crop progress report for corn reflect an ahead of schedule pace. Rod Bain reports...

(Urbana-jm) – A man was arrested after University of Illinois Police said he attacked a woman and brandished a gun at a tailgate. UIPD arrested Tristan Banks of Chicago for domestic violence and weapons charges. He is being held at the Champaign County Jail. Around 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, University Police officers were called to a report of an armed person at a tailgate in Lot 31 near the intersection of Kirby Avenue and Oak Street in Champaign. Witnesses said Banks flashed a gun in the waistband of his pants and grabbed a woman by the neck. Officers arrived and quickly found him. Police found two loaded handguns on him and two additional magazines.

(Kankakee—dm)-If you are a parent, family member or loved one of a survivor of sexual abuse, you are invited to join a support group at Clove Alliance in Kankakee. Executive Director and CEO at Clove Alliance Carmen King has more information.

Clove AllianceExecutive Director and CEO Carmen King. The support group meets on Tuesdays starting today.

(Urbana-jm) – It's been three weeks since the University of Illinois' Foellinger Auditorium was vandalized with a pro-Palestinian message. Champaign County Crime Stoppers is now getting involved in the case to find information on two people of interest. At around 2:21 a.m. on Sunday, August 25, the columns at the front of the auditorium had the letters spelling "DIVEST" painted on them, a call for the university to end relations with companies tied to Israel. Removing the paint from the columns and repairing the damage left behind has cost over $7,500 so far. Two people were seen on security cameras painting the columns and then leaving the auditorium. They were both male and were wearing white shoes — one Black with short-to medium-length braided hair and the other White with shorter dark hair.

(Champaign-jm) – The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Champaign in 2025. The Globetrotters will perform at the State Farm Center on Jan. 3, 2025, at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the public Monday, September 30 at 10 a.m. CT online, over the phone at 866-ILLINI-1, or at the Illinois Ticket Office at State Farm Center. Ticket prices range from $30.00 to $102.00 plus fees.

(Springfield-jm) – After a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, Illinois lawmakers are condemning political violence and inflammatory rhetoric. In a statement U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said, "I am relieved former President Trump is safe after reports of gunfire at his property. I, along with all patriotic Americans, condemn all acts of political violence no matter the political positions of those targeted. There are not good people on both sides of political violence." State Rep. Dan Caulkins said Democrats' rhetoric is to blame. Sen. Dick Durbin said in a social media post, "I'm glad there were no injuries, the former President is safe, and the suspect has been apprehended. Violence has no place in America. This must stop."

(Paxton—jc)  – The street siren along Cherry Street in the city of Paxton is in need of an upgrade and local officials are working to get the siren back in operation. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the council approved funds for the project and that will be done this month...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Undated-jm) – Farmers across Central Illinois are kicking off the fall season and preparing to harvest their crops. While each season is different, due to weather patterns and rainfall, the harvest season should be starting now, and continuing to the end of October or early November. To make operations smooth and efficient, farmers use a variety of large equipment including combines, tractors, and semi-trucks. But, drivers can have a hard time knowing what to do when approaching these vehicles on the road.

(Washington-jm) – What are some of the notable reflections within various categories of USDA's latest crop progress report for soybeans? Rod Bain reports...

(Mahomet-jm) – Mahomet's village president will not seek re-election once his term is up in the spring of 2025. Sean Widener has served the community in different positions since 2006. First with planning and zoning, then on the board of trustees, and finally as the president starting in 2015. But now, he knows it's time to focus on his day job.

(Champaign-jm) – Two new programs launched by the City of Champaign and the Champaign County Economic Development Center are helping entrepreneurs keep their business within the city. The programs offer up to $10,000 reimbursement for entrepreneurs of a new business or a business under 2 years old, and up to a $20,000 reimbursement for entrepreneurs of Champaign businesses older than 2 years looking to expand operations. In order to be eligible for the programs, businesses must be within the city's limits and meet other requirements.

(Watseka–dm)-The Iroquois Economic Development Association was created to help bring new businesses to Iroquois County, as well to help existing businesses.  IEDA Executive Director Angel Crawford tells us about some of the new businesses starting up in Iroquois County.

IEDA Executive Director Angel Crawford.

(Kankakee County-jm) – The Kankakee murder trial of Darius Sullivan began Monday. He's one of two defendants charged with the shooting and killing of Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and the wounding of her partner, Sgt. Tyler Bailey. Jury selection began Monday with the trial expected to take two-weeks. 

The 28-year-old Sullivan and his girlfriend, Xandria Harris are accused of attacking the police officers at a Bradley Motel in late December 2021, when the officers responded to reports of barking dogs in a car. Both officers were shot when the motel door was finally opened after the officers waited for a response to their knocks at the door. Sullivan and Harris are both charged with 1st-degree murder and attempted murder.  Marlene Rittmanic died of her injuries in the shooting. Tyler Bailey, now retired, was seriously wounded and underwent months of rehab.

(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have fallen 11.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.40/g , according to GasBuddy. Prices in Illinois are 38.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 52.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.