(Illinois–jc)  – Dry and windy conditions led to field fires around Illinois over the weekend and Monday. The National Weather Service issued an elevated fire danger for multiple counties in central Illinois. A large fire overtook a field in Sullivan on Sunday afternoon. According to the Sullivan Fire Protection District, firefighters from Sullivan, Bethany and Lovington responded to reports of a fire about 2:30 p.m. About the same time, the Argenta-Oreana Fire Department battled a field fire northeast of Decatur. Field fires this harvest season have also occurred in Northern Champaign, Ford and Iroquois Counties including a combine fire near Paxton last week.

(Decatur–jc)  – A fire caused damages at the Decatur based A-D-M plant on Monday. Firefighters were called to the plant just after 3pm on Monday. No injuries and no damage report was provided. 

(Springfield-jc) Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue  have temporarily waived the International Fuel Tax Agreement  registration and motor fuel use tax  single trip permitting for qualified motor vehicles engaged in interstate disaster relief efforts as a result of Hurricanes Milton & Helene.  The suspension of fees started over the weekend and runs through November 9th The suspension of fees affects  qualified motor vehicles traveling into or through Illinois responding specifically to power, communications, utilities and infrastructure restoration to areas that fall under the declaration of emergency.

(Kankakee–jc)  A survivor of sexual violence support group is set to meet on Tuesdays at 6pm in Kankakee. Clove Alliance serves residents of Kankakee Iroquois and Ford County and Clove Alliance Executive Director Tracy Noe-Slah

('No-ee Slaw) says the meetings will help those survivors...

Clove Alliance Executive Director Tracy Noe-Slah

More information is found on line or by contacting the offices in Kankakee, Watseka or Paxton

(Chicago–jc)  –The investigation continues after dozens of people rushed a railyard in Chicago and stole items from a parked freight train. Groups were seen carrying boxes from trains and loading them into nearby vehicles last week. Several arrests have been made, and Union Pacific officials said they are working with their agents and local police to identify more suspects as the investigation continues this morning.

( The Center Square) The wealthiest person in Illinois doesn't break into the top-20 richest people in the country. According to the Forbes 400, Lukas Walton's net worth has risen to nearly $34 billion, leaving him as the richest person in Illinois and the 25th richest nationally. Walton is the grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Patrick Ryan, CEO and founder of Ryan Specialty Holdings, ranks second in Illinois with a fortune of $12.3 billion. Gov. J.B. Pritzker's net worth of $3.7 billion ranks him  359th nationally.

(Chicago–jc)  –  One former Illinois Governor wants ethics reforms as a jury continues tomorrow in the Madigan-McClain  racketeering case. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...

(Paxton–jc)  – Today's WPXN Business of the Day is The Pop Loft in Paxton. The local shop has everything from fresh flowers and chocolates to Balloon Creations and more. Store Owner Samantha "Sam" Magers says the idea for the store started with balloons...

Samantha "Sam" Magers  talks about improvements and upgrades coming to their location on South Market Street in Paxton. ...

The Pop Loft in Paxton Store Owner Samantha "Sam" Magers.

(Chicago–jc)  –An Illinois school has made the top ten in a study of the best colleges and universities in the country. The personal finance website WalletHub compared more than 800 higher-education institutions in the U.S. across 30 key measures. Northwestern University in Evanston was ranked 9th best in the nation. The University of Chicago came in at No. 26, and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana was ranked 62nd.

(Ford-Iroquois–jc)  –  With the dry conditions this harvest season, several safety concerns arise for farmers. Issues range from crop dust, to slow farm vehicles on the roads. Ford Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire says everyone will need to slow down and be aware...

Ford Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire.

(The Center Square) – The bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is set to resume  this morning with more questioning of potential jurors. Prosecutors and defense attorneys for Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain spent three days interviewing prospective jurors last week. Taraleigh Davis, assistant professor of Public Law and Political Science at Bradley University, told The Center Square it is not surprising that several people spent more than 30 minutes answering questions. 11 jurors have been selected so far as one more and alternates will be selected today and tomorrow.

(Metropolis–jc)  –The Fort Massac Encampment, which has drawn thousands of visitors to southern Illinois every fall for 50 years, will return to Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis Saturday and Sunday. Since 1974, the encampment festival has provided visitors with a chance to experience what life was like at Fort Massac during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The fort served as a frontier outpost along the Ohio River for personnel from France, Britain and the early years of the United States from 1757 to 1814.

(Normal–jc)  –The Illinois State University Board of Trustees and President Aondover Tarhule will host a dedication ceremony and reception on Thursday,  at 2 p.m., for the new Mennonite College of Nursing Simulation Center. The ceremony will take place at 301 Normal Avenue in Normal.  Following a ribbon cutting, tours of the new facility will be offered. The $18 million construction project was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2021, provides much-needed space and allows the Mennonite College of Nursing to enroll more students at a time when demand for nurses is high.