(Chicago–jc)  –With myriad proposals to address Illinois' unfunded pension liability, some are looking at a tax increase. Others want pensioners to pony up.The Better Government Association hosted a pension roundtable in Chicago this week to take up ideas to address Illinois' $140 billion unfunded liability. Among the issues discussed were how Tier II pensions, or benefit plans for public employees in Illinois hired after 2011, may need to be addressed because  they  may not comply with Social Security rules. Another suggestion is to increase the income tax to focus on increased pension payments. Illinois has a $140 billion unfunded pension liability taxpayers are on the hook for.  It's not expected anything substantive would happen until sometime in the new legislative session next year.

(Will County–jc)  –An Illinois State Trooper has been awarded the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor.According to Illinois State Police, Brian Frank was seriously injured in February 2021 due to a driver not complying with the move-over law. Frank had responded to a crash on Interstate 55 in Will County and parked his squad car behind the crashed vehicles. A driver hit the back of his car leaving Frank severely injured.

(Rio–jc)  –One of our country's top competitors in the world soybean market is currently in its planting season, yet delays are noted in planting progress. Rod Bain reports..

(Chicago–jc)  –  We are still looking for the winner.  Those are the words from officials at the Illinois State Lottery. The Illinois Lottery is seeking the owner of an unclaimed 250-thousand dollar winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket purchased in Chicago last October. The lucky winner has just over a week left to claim the prize. The winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket was purchased for the Oct. 29th 2023 drawing, at Fairplay Finer Foods. The unclaimed Lotto ticket is one of seven Illinois lottery prizes currently unclaimed, all totaling nearly $4.5 million.

(Rantoul–jc)  The village of Rantoul just approved some chemical purchases for the Hap Parker Aquatic Center. With fall and the pool closed, village leaders used an incentive program to save the village on Chlorine supplies and more, says Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Watseka–jc)  – The Iroquois County Christmas Cantata will return this year under the direction of Jessie Fehland and Erik Parmenter. The cantata will take a different direction as it will mirror Olivet Nazarene University's "Sounds of the Season" Christmas concert.  In order to make the cantata successful, singers are needed. Anyone who has an interest in singing with this group is invited to reach out to iroquoischristmascantata-at- gmail.com  This year's program is "Come Worship the King," with presentations set for December 15th and December 20th in Watseka The first practice is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday in Watseka

(Chicago–jc)  With the bribery and racketeering trial of  former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain underway in Chicago, one local legislator is calling for "ethics" reform. 53rd district State Senator Tom Bennett says ethic reforms are needed in Springfield...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City

(Hoopeston–jc)  – Today's WPXN Business of the Day is Lithgow Motorsports of Hoopeston. They carry Can-Am A-T-V-s, Spyder Bikes to SkiDoo Snowmobiles. They are also known for their complete parts department. Lithgow Motorsports Owner Phil Lithgow says they also have special pricing on their Dixie Chopper Mowers...

Lithgow says they carry a wide variety of  A-T-Vs and many accessories...

Lithgow Motorsports of Hoopeston Owner Phil Lithgow.

They are located along Route 1 South in Hoopeston. 

(The Center Square) – A new report grades U.S. governors on their fiscal responsibility. The Cato Institute has released its 17th biennial Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors, scoring each state leader according to how much they raised or lowered taxes, and whether they spent conservatively or significantly increased spending.The report looks at data since 2022 for each state and awards an objective grade based on spending, revenue, and tax rate variables. Governors who have cut taxes and spending the most receive the highest grades, while those who have increased taxes and spending the most receive the lowest grades/ Illinois Governor J B Pritzker received a C grade. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds received the best grade and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz received the lowest grade of "F'.

(Illinois–jc) –7-Eleven's parent company has revealed that it plans to close 444 underperforming locations by the end of this year. The company said the underperformance was due to slowing sales fueled by inflation, along with a decrease in foot traffic and decline in spending on cigarettes and convenience items.  The list of closures was not given, but there are 318 7-Eleven locations in Illinois

(The Center Square) – Gun stores across Illinois are preparing for the possible outcome of a federal court striking down the state's gun and magazine ban.

Sometime after Oct. 20, Southern District of Illinois federal Judge Stephen McGlynn could rule on the consolidated case challenging the ban. Some expect he will issue a permanent injunction. This could be his second strike against the law.

On preliminary grounds last year, McGlynn issued an injunction that lasted six days before the appeals court put a hold on his order. The appeals court eventually overturned the preliminary injunction and remanded the case to McGlynn's court to get a final judgment. A bench trial on the case wrapped up Sept. 20. McGlynn gave both sides 30 days to file final briefs on the issues.

(Illinois–jc) –  Apple orchards felt the effect of the massive cicada emergence this year. In addition to the early bloom, many trees were damaged by the influx of cicadas this summer. One apple orchard farmer in central Illinois said his yield dropped by about 60% compared to last year.Cicadas laid their eggs on branches that apples grow on, so the trees were unable to provide the necessary nutrients for the apples to thrive. 

(Undated–jc)  The corn harvest continues to move quickly this fall in East Central Illinois, the state and  beyond. U–S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippy has the latest on the corn harvest...

U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippy

(The Center Square) – After five days of jury selection in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the court is still looking for a twelfth juror and six alternates. Judge John Robert Blakey is presiding over the case at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. No new jurors were added Tuesday or Wednesday. Several potential jurors were dismissed after saying they had knowledge of Madigan and news stories about him.