(Urbana-jm) – Food and building service workers at the University of Illinois have reached a tentative deal with the university on a new contract. If the contract is ratified, a week-long strike would end. Robin Kaler, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing, said the university and SEIU Local 73 reached the deal on Monday. Union negotiators are recommending it for ratification, Kaler said, and if union members agree to the contract, they would return to work today.
(Washington-jm) – Agriculture Secretary Vilsack urges dock workers and port officials to avoid a strike. Gary Crawford reports...
(Springfield-jm) – A controversial Illinois law affecting credit cards has prompted opinion polls, lawsuits and an array of opinions. The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to take effect in July 2025, making Illinois the first state to exempt taxes and tips from interchange fees. Rob Karr, the president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said their poll shows 68 percent of Illinoisans are in favor of the law. Karr said 82% of those polled said that it is unfair to workers and businesses to charge swipe fees on tips, and the notion that a card would have to be swiped twice is not true. Banking and credit union groups have filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois, seeking to block the ban on applying interchange fees to sales taxes and tips. The lawsuit alleges Illinois is interfering with the federal government's exclusive regulatory authority over various federally-chartered financial institutions.
(Springfield–dm)-The Bureau of Labor Statistics data is showing that Illinois' unemployment rate is going up. WPXN's Dan Mushrush has more information.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police responded to Centennial High School Homecoming after a School Resource Officer requested assistance from additional officers due to a physical altercation between two juvenile subjects. Police say during the altercation, officers observed the two juveniles yelling and shoving and worked quickly to separate them. Once separated, both involved parties were interviewed along with their parents and neither group wished to pursue charges.
(Rantoul–jc) With the Minuteman Missile project completed for the village of Rantoul, village leaders are making a plaque to place at the missile to honor those in the military. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the missile is a reminder of honoring those who have or are serving our nation...
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Douglas County–jc) It has been more than a month since cows were killed in a crash on Interstate 57 in Douglas County, and now a billboard is paying homage. In August, a semi-truck carrying cows crashed, killing 20 cows with another 16 getting loose. The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals purchased a billboard to remember the cows that died. The billboard reads, "I'm me. Not meat." Officials said two cows remain on the loose in the corn.
(Paxton–jc) – Today's WPXN Business of the Day is the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce. The local business group is sponsoring the annual Wine and Chocolate Walk on Saturday in the city. Spokesperson Donna Pepper says it's a way to showcase the wide variety of businesses in Paxton...
Spokesperson Donna Pepper.
A few of the 250 tickets for the walk are available at Hudson Drug and Hallmark Shop in Paxton.
Chamber business member Andy Hudson, Owner of Hudson Drug and Hallmark talks about in store specials for those participating in the event as well as an invite to others to shop Paxton on Saturday...
Paxton Chamber-Paxton Business Owner Andy Hudson.
(Chatsworth-jm) – Multiple fire departments battled a fire in Chatsworth Monday evening. Piper City and Forest were among the departments called to battle the blaze. There's no word on the cause of the fire or how much damage was done.
(Washington-jm) – There were no major surprises in Monday's report on grain stocks. Gary Crawford reports...
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois voters have a non-binding question on the November ballot about taxing millionaires more to fund a property tax relief fund. Behind only New Jersey, Illinois has the second-highest property taxes in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation, WalletHub and ATTOM Data Solutions. Some advocate for a surcharge on millionaires to raise revenue for property tax relief. Such an advisory question is on the Nov. 5 ballot. Asked about the advisory question for the millionaire surcharge, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said "it might be one that's popular among people." "But the graduated income tax is the way to go," Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference.
(Undated–jc) State of Illinois officials are making sure that haunted houses for halloween are safe. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...
(Champaign-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have risen 5.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.48/g, according to GasBuddy. Prices in Illinois are 18.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 30.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.
(Urbana-jm) – A University of Illinois student filed a sexual assault report that they say occurred on campus over the weekend. According to U of I Police, they received a report that the student was sexually assaulted at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday in a residence hall. University Police also say the student and the offender met at a party before the assault.
(Paxton–dm)-Did you know PBL Junior High has a Lego League Team? They are currently practicing to get ready for their December competition. Lego League Coach Liz Pippen tells us more about the Lego League.
Lego League coach Liz Pippen. The Lego League team will have an open house on November 21st. From 5:30-6:30
(Champaign-jm) – In order to replace the concrete curb along Neil Street, A&R Services will close one southbound lane of Neil Street between Hill Street and Main Street. The closure will begin on Tuesday, October 1, and will be reopened by the end of the day on Thursday, October 3, 2024. In order to complete a pole installation near 301 E. University Avenue, AT&T will close one eastbound lane of University Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street. The closure will occur on Thursday, October 3, 2024, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. During the closure, eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane.
The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News Note
Hudson Drug & Hallmark will have a Flu and covid clinic tonight from 4-7 at the Paxton Fire station.
