(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Secretary of State's Office said it recently discovered that approximately 5,400 Illinois residents who had sought to register to vote at DMVs were never added to the voting rolls because of a 2019 computer coding issue related to REAL IDs. The coding error was revealed by the agency as part of its ongoing effort to update outdated technology. Officials said they have never received any reports that any of those individuals were prohibited from voting.

(Springfield-jm) – Several groups have filed legal challenges against an Illinois law regarding interchange fees. The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act doesn't ban or restrict credit card swipe fees, but it limits banks from charging interchange fees on tax and tip revenues. The law, which was backed by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, was the first such statute in the country. Banking trade groups argued in court that the law would "throw well-operating payment card systems into chaos."

(Ford County-jm) – Fire departments across the area were busy battling fires Sunday. Roberts-Melvin firefighters were called to a combine fire. Gibson City and Sibley firefighters battled a ditch fire. Elliott firefighters were also called to a combine fire. Milford firefighters battled a field fire started by a cigarette. Dozens of fire departments were called to battle multiple fields that caught fire near Herscher.

(Sheldon-jm) – On Friday the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Esteban Saenz, age 44, at a residence in Sheldon. Saenz, who was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County felony arrest warrant, was taken into custody without incident. Subsequent to that arrest, Iroquois County Sheriff's Office Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence. During the execution of that search warrant, detectives recovered narcotics, U.S. currency, and a firearm. As a result, Coty R. Huckleby, age 36, of Sheldon was also taken into custody. Esteban Saenz was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. Coty R. Huckleby was charged with Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon.

(Kankakee–jc)  Clove Alliance is offering a free support group for survivors of sexual violence. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College announced further expansion of its nationally recognized apprentice program to train and develop collision repair technicians. 

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, the 24th-largest employer in Champaign County, has agreed to support Parkland's Collision Repair Technology program by sponsoring a U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprentice in its Urbana bus maintenance facility this fall. The program will combine on-the-job training with an experienced MTD mentor along with Parkland's Associate in Applied Science degree instruction in Collision Repair Technology. After completing the program, graduates will receive a nationally recognized journey worker certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor and a degree from Parkland. The college has additional collision training apprenticeships with local companies.

(Paxton–jc)  –  The 2024  Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Wine and Chocolate Walk was a huge success on Saturday. Hudson Drug and Hallmark Store Owner Andy Hudson talks about the success of the city...

Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson

For the Paxton Chamber Wine and Chocolate Walk, the Best Dessert went to AnnRose Boutique, the Best Beverage to the Leading Edge Salon and the Best Theme to the Paxton Mercantile. The event was sold out and the chamber is looking to do the event again, next year. 

(Paxton–jc)  The WPXN Business of the day today is Monical's Pizza of Paxton. They are the home of the "Family Pleaser." The monical's brand has been around since 1959, starting in Tolono. Monical's Pizza of Paxton Manager Jason Mills says they have a weekly special on Monday's after 4pm with a large pizza up to 4 toppings for 14 dollars...

The Paxton location of Monicals pizza offers fundraiser days for local charities.  Monical's Pizza of Paxton Manager Jason Mills says those interested can call the Paxton Monicals for information...

Monicals Pizza of Paxton Manager Jason Mills

The number for carryouts is 217-379-4835.

Monicals Pizza of Paxton is the WPXN Business of the day, today

(Will County-jm) – Federal and local elected officials are concerned about Illinois' farmland being bought up by foreign nations. A 3,600-acre solar plant is expected to arrive in Custer Park, Illinois. The largest solar plant in Illinois is 4,100 acres. Some Illinois landowners offered to lease their land to ACCIONA, a Spanish multinational renewable energy conglomerate, to develop the solar energy plant. Residents that live near the proposed project fear for their food security being that the land will be leased to a Spanish multinational renewable energy conglomerate. 

(Chicago-jm) – Illinois Senate Republicans are demanding an audit of the state's child welfare agency after a new series of alleged abuses were reported. Injustice Watch, a nonprofit news agency focused on Cook County courts, reported the taxpayer funded Aunt Martha's Integrated Care Center is subject to thousands of reports of violence including allegations of sexual and physical abuse of children and conflicts of interest. On Friday, Senate Minority Leader John Curran, called for an investigation by the Illinois Auditor General. 

(Gifford-jm) – The Gifford Fire Department is warning about the dangers of UTVs following two incidents over the weekend. They say both incidents resulted in injuries. They warn people to use caution when operating those machines.

(St. Joseph-jm) – Officials with the Illinois State Police said their investigation into a crash that closed part of I-74 on Saturday for a few hours mid-afternoon showed it involved three vehicles. They say the crash happened around 2:12 p.m. near milepost 190 off Interstate 74 eastbound, in Champaign County. A gold Lincoln, a white Ford F-250, and a Black Chevrolet Tahoe were involved. Three people were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All lanes re-opened at 3:55 p.m.

(Paxton–jc)  –  The Paxton Mainstreet Group Fall Gathering is set for Saturday. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says its pumpkins, mums and more...

Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper.

(Champaign-jm) – Discover what Parkland College has to offer through its academic programs, campus life, support services, and more during the college's Fall Open House on Friday, October 25. The open house will take place from noon to 2 p.m. in the college's Student Union, at Health Professions and Career and Technical Education facilities on the main campus, and at the Health Professions labs at the Parkland College on Mattis building.