(Springfield-jm) – One year after the Safe-T Act ended cash bail in Illinois, supporters of the law are touting its benefits. Since the Pretrial Fairness Act portion of Illinois' Safe-T Act took effect on September 18th of last year. Under cash bail, bond money was returned to defendants, guilty or not, once their court dates were fulfilled. Earlier this year, State Representative Justin Slaughter called for $140 million from Illinois taxpayers to fund violence-prevention efforts with the Reimagine Public Safety Act, which he introduced in 2021 and amended in 2023. The 27th District representative said that jail populations have declined since the Pretrial Fairness Act eliminated cash bail in Illinois one year ago. Slaughter also said that crime rates are going down. According to Slaughter, statewide violent and property crime rates dropped 12% since the law took effect. 

(Washington-jm) – An online source provides information on injuries on the farm and in turn aids farm safety advocates in developing and applying prevention and education resources. Rod Bain reports...

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a residence in the 1600 block of Normandy Dr., Wednesday.  Firefighters responded to a report from an occupant of a fire in this single-family residence.  Once on the scene, crews reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the single-story residence.  A neighboring home did sustain damage from the heat of the fire. The cause of this fire has not been determined.

(Champaign County-jm) – Voters in Champaign County will be asked to vote on two referendums during the upcoming general election. The first proposal is a one-quarter percent increase to county sales tax, to be used for public safety expenses. The second referendum that will be discussed is the proposal to abolish the elected county auditor.

(Paxton–jc)  –Growlers are now able to be used in the city of Paxton. Paxton city leaders approved the use of the reusable containers for beer with a new ordinance. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says there was interest with some businesses for "growlers"...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Champaign-jm) – Fall enrollment at Parkland College includes strong gains in diversity, Early College, and first-time-college students, according to the college's official 10th-day enrollment report. The gains indicate increased demand from students seeking affordable, transferable college credits and skills in high-demand technical fields. This fall, Parkland enrolled 6,014 students in credit-bearing courses, reflecting a 1.9-percent increase in full-time equivalency over Fall 2023. While student headcount remained steady at only four fewer students this fall than last, the number of first-time-college students entering Parkland's doors increased by 7.5 percent, or 111 students, over Fall 2023. The college also noted increased diversity in its student body since last fall semester, with a 6.6-percent increase in the number of Black and African American students from last year to this year.

(Cissna Park–jc)  The numbers of F F A students continues at a high level at one area school system. Cissna Park  F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton provides the numbers in the program at the high school and junior high...

Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton

(Paxton–jc)  –  Today's WPXN Business of the Day is the Market Street Grill downtown Paxton. The restaurant offers daily specials with a menu that includes unique burgers, flatbreads, wings and more. They also offer an all you can eat salad bar. Market Street Grill Assistant Manager Rachael Puckett says Market Street Grill is hosting a patio party with a VIP ticket on Saturday during Swine and Dine...

Market Street Grill is also a destination for holiday parties.  Rachael provides some insight into the daily specials...

Market Street Grill Assistant Manager Rachael Puckett

The Market Street Grill downtown Paxton...Your Destination for Delicious.

(Springfield-jm) – Attorneys for the state of Illinois called their first witness to the stand in the trial against the state's gun and magazine ban. Illinois banned the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities in January 2023. Day 3 of the bench trial featured plaintiffs' final witness Randy Watt. He served overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq, where he described the importance of having full auto rifles in battles with the enemy and said there weren't any semi-automatic only rifles in war.  Day 3 of the trial also had the state call its first witness. Retired Col. Craig Tucker, who served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan and trained other soldiers for combat, testified that semi-automatic fire is preferred in a military setting for accuracy and not wasting ammo. But, he testified he would not recommend getting rid of full auto from military rifles.

(Washington-jm) – Many farm safety organizations and professionals collaborate on efforts to protect children from injury on the farm through prevention, safety education, and collaboration. Rod Bain reports...

(Urbana-jm) – OSF Hospital in Urbana is celebrating a new breakthrough in how people with heart complications are treated. It's all thanks to a new pacemaker, which makes it easier on patients and their hearts. It's the first of its kind in the area. Think of it like a normal pacemaker but without the bulk. That means no wires, battery, or scars. The new technology works the same as a traditional pacemaker but is smaller and leadless, which makes for less-invasive installation.

(Champaign-jm) – A new brand of beer is coming to Central Illinois and so is the celebrity who co-founded it: Hulk Hogan. Hogan's Real American Beer is available in 11 states with Illinois set to become the 12th. Hogan will be at County Market on campus Friday,  from 3 to 4 p.m., Red Lion from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Kams from 8 to 9 p.m.

(Undated-jm) – Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington talks about farmer fatigue...

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

(Gifford-jm) – Those popular flea markets at Gordyville USA are going away. It's disappointing news for those vendors and visitors who frequent the events. The final market is scheduled for December 13 – 15. The News-Gazette reports Rantoul has shown interest in keeping the flea markets going. Village officials say if a venue can be located, Rantoul would be interested in hosting the flea markets.  A group of investors bought Gordyville in May for $1.1 million from the Gordon Hannagan family, which had owned and operated the 31.1-acre property, located about two miles west of Gifford, for 37 years. It includes a 144,000-square-foot main building and another 11,000-square-foot building. The company that bought the property is based in Fredricksburg, Ohio. Its managers are Michael L. Heron, Monroe R. Yoder and Thurman L. Mullet.

(Rantoul–jc)  –  A Seniors luncheon is set for today in the village of Rantoul. The Rantoul Recreation Department sponsors the event and today's luncheon will be held at the Rantoul Sports Complex, says Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith...

Village of Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

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.

A Family Caregiver Support Group will take place today from 1:30-2:30 at the Watseka Public Library.