(Chicago-jm) – Potential jurors have reported to federal court in Chicago for the upcoming corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. Madigan is facing 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct. Jurors were instructed to fill out questionnaires on Tuesday morning. Attorneys are scheduled to report to court this afternoon to discuss any pretrial issues, but Madigan is not required to appear. The trial is expected to last about ten weeks.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced that his office filed a lawsuit against TikTok for its harmful business practices targeting children and allegedly deceiving the public about the social media platform's dangers. The lawsuit stems from a bipartisan nationwide investigation announced by Raoul in 2022. Illinois' action seeks injunctive relief to address TikTok's misconduct as well as monetary penalties. In addition to Illinois' lawsuit, 13 other states filed separate enforcement actions against TikTok for violations of state consumer protection laws.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Republicans are addressing concerns about immigrants with criminal records. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City has more...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Paxton-jm) – Ward three residents in Paxton have a new alderman. Matt Greenburg was sworn in last night to fill the vacancy left after the resignation of Kendall Cox.

(Rantoul–jc)  –  Fall is here and village projects in Rantoul continue. From sewer lines and some street work, Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says even with the projects, business traffic and events at the Rantoul Sports Complex to Hardy's Reindeer Ranch continue to bring people to Rantoul...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Cissna Park–jc)  The Annual Cissna Park F F A Scholarship Auction is set for next month. Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says they are gathering items now for auction day on November 16th...

Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton

(Chicago -jc )  –  Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Tuesday announced that a Vermilion County woman pleaded guilty and was sentenced for animal cruelty in a case prosecuted by the Attorney General's office.Vermilion County Circuit Court. Judge Karen Wall sentenced Crystal Calbro, 44, of Danville, to 12 months court supervision. Calbro is also prohibited from owning horses, rabbits and donkeys and is required to undergo a psychological evaluation. Wall also required Calbro to pay a fine of $2,200 and submit restitution in the amount of $44,718 to the Vermilion County Department of Animal Regulation. Following disturbing observations made in March 2023 relating to the health of animals under Calbro's care, the Vermilion County Department of Animal Regulation seized eight horses, two rabbits and one donkey from Calbro's property. The animals were kept in cramped quarters without access to adequate food or clean water. All animals were all found,  showing various signs of emotional and physical neglect.

(Paxton–jc)  Today's WPXN Business of the Day is Paxton Mainstreet. The local civic group has their annual Fall Gathering and Vendor Show at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton.  Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says the event is for the entire family...

Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says a pancake and sausage breakfast starts the day at 8am on Saturday...

The vendor show and pumpkin patch open at 9am

 Paxton Mainstreet Group is the WPXN Business of the Day, today

(Bloomington-jm) – State Farm is removing electric vehicle chargers from its parking decks at their corporate headquarters in Bloomington and around the country because of a fire risk. The company told employees it will consider plans for alternative locations outside of parking garages. The move will become effective as of Oct. 28.

(Springfield-jm) – The largest water and wastewater utility company in the country has been hit by a cyberattack. American Water, which serves 14 states including Illinois, became informed of "unauthorized activity" in its computer networks and systems. The company said it was forced to temporarily pause billing for its customers. Officials said they have contacted law enforcement  and are cooperating with the investigation.

(Springfield-jm) – New data out is raising concerns about the number of migrants getting arrested in the United States. Among those raising concerns are Illinois Senate Republicans including 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet...

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet.

(Champaign-jm) – A man from Champaign is facing federal charges of threatening a judge, and the judge he allegedly threatened could be the one who presided over Donald Trump's classified documents case. Eric James Rennert, 65, was indicted Sept. 25 on six counts — three of interstate transmission of threats and three of threatening to assault, kidnap and murder a United States judge. The threats were made on May 25 and St. Lucie County, Fla. was the place the threats were sent to.

(Gilman–jc)  The busy harvest time continues in East Central Illinois. From field to elevator, farm equipment and grain trucks on the road, to long hours of operation. Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire says all in the fields and on the roads need to be extra careful...

Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire

(Monticell0–jc)  – Residents in the Monticello area will soon have increased access to primary care through a new OSF Medical Group clinic at 777 Bridge Street. Amber Oberheim, A-P-N, a longtime Monticello resident, is expected to begin seeing patients this winter. People of all ages can see Oberheim for a variety of primary care issues including annual physicals, chronic and acute illnesses, mental health concerns and more. Other health care providers will staff the clinic to provide vaccines and lab work.

(Paxton–jc)  One local electric cooperative is sending another crew to a southeast area of the country to help with the ongoing hurricanes. Eastern Illini Electric Coop, based in Paxton, sent an initial crew around 2 weeks ago to help in rural parts of Georgia affected by a hurricane. Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative Vice President of Operations Brad Smith says the next crew is on their way...

Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative Vice President of Operations Brad Smith.

Hurricane Milton is expected to cause major damage in Florida, Georgia and beyond later today and tomorrow. 

(Champaign County-jm) – It has officially been a year since the Pre-Trial Fairness Act went into effect in the state of Illinois. Dustin Heuerman, the Champaign County Sheriff, said overall they've seen a decrease in inmate population, but an increase in transportation duties since the Act requires detention hearings to be in-person. The biggest challenge, however, is revenue. Without bail money coming in, it leaves the question of how jails are currently running? He said Champaign County is looking for other sources of revenue because of this.