(The Center Square) – ComEd connections and former state lawmakers are in the spotlight during the early days of the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain, a former state representative and longtime ally of Madigan's.ComEd executive Scott Vogt, who said he has worked for the utility company since 1998, took the witness stand late Wednesday morning. As he previously testified during the ComEd Four trial last year, Vogt described ComEd's financial situation as "dire" before the General Assembly passed legislation that benefited the utility. The Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act became law in 2011.
(Northbrook–jc) –An arrest has been made in connection with the 2016 murder of an Illinois attorney. Jigar Patel was found strangled in his Northbrook office. Months later, law enforcement announced that they were looking for 50-year-old John Panaligan of Aurora in connection with the murder. On Wednesday, police announced that Panaligan, who was put on the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitive List, was taken into custody in Mexico
(Paxton–jc) There is interest in some expansion business building projects on Paxton's west side. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they have commissioned a study in an area near the CobleStone Hotel west of Interstate 57...
PaxtonMayor Bill Ingold
(Kankakee–jc) – The chairman of the Kankakee County Board resigned Tuesday ahead of a special board meeting to consider his ouster after he recently took a job with the company behind a controversial electric vehicle battery plant being built in Manteno.Under Andrew Wheeler's leadership, the board was one of several taxing bodies that agreed to provide millions of dollars in incentives to lure Chinese-owned Gotion's $2 billion EV battery plant, which has been opposed by scores of residents. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been a vocal backer of the plant, which is in line for $536 million in state tax incentives.
(Paxton–jc) – Its' coming...very soon. In updating our story from Wednesday, another new business in the city of Paxton. It's called Hudz Family Fun Zone and owner Andy Hudson says its all about fun and families...
Hudz Family Fun Zone Owner Andy Hudson.
The awning sign is up at the downtown Paxton location The business is expected to open by mid December
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding deer hunters that deer can be tested for chronic wasting disease free of charge.Chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease of the central nervous system in deer and elk. It was first detected in a suspect adult female deer from northwest Boone County in 2002.
(Washington–jc) The Top soil is dry in the local area, its the same around the state and a large part of the United States. Rod Bain has the details...
(Urbana–jc) – A sales tax increase on the ballot in Champaign County. Champaign County voters will decide on Election Day whether to raise the county's sales tax from One and a quarter percent to One and a half percent. The Illinois Policy Institute reports that Champaign County leaders have used over $60,000 of taxpayer money for a marketing campaign to convince voters to pay more taxes. County officials say the sales tax hike will go toward public safety spending.
CHAMPAIGN – In order to complete an equipment lift at 304 E. Daniel Street,in Champaign, Custom Service Crane will close Daniel Street between Third Street and Fourth Street. The closure will occur on Friday, starting at 7am. Work is expected to be complete by 6 Friday evening.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor J P Pritzker has proclaimed that all agencies covered by the Illinois Flag Display act are to fly the U. S. flag at half-staff now through sunset on Sunday to honor the life of a fallen State Police Officer. Illinois State Trooper Corey Thompson died in the line of duty on October 18th in Champaign County. Trooper Thompsen will be remembered for his unparalleled dedication to his city and community.
(Rantoul–jc) – Today's WPXN Business of the day is A House of Flowers by Marlena downtown Rantoul. They have all the flower arrangements, single flowers to wedding flowers and more. A House of Flowers owner Marlena Smith says they have fannie mae candies, fall decor, a wide variety of unique gifts and also willow tree figurines...
Marlena Smith says fall decor fills the store for Halloween and the season, but reminds everyone that Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming soon...
A House of Flowers and Gifts Owner Marlena Smith. Phone orders at 217-893-3600. A House of Flowers and Gifts downtown Rantoul is the WPXN Business of the Day, today
CHAMPAIGN – An Urbana man has been arrested following an investigation into a shooting incident in west Champaign. Champaign Police were dispatched to a South Mattis address on June first for a report of a shooting with injuries. Two people had potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds. The investigation indicated that the victims were in the parking lot of a business near the intersection of Mattis & University when Donnie Caldwell, Jr., 27, of Urbana, fired multiple shots, and the men were struck. . Caldwell was arrested Wednesday in Champaign.
The initial charges of Attempted Murder in the first degree and two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. He remains in custody at the Champaign County Correctional Facility. Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-351-4545 or call Champaign County Crime Stoppers
(The Center Square) – A new poll commissioned by a coalition of environmental groups shows public support for consolidating Chicago's mass transit agencies.
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition said by a 2-to-1 margin, Illinoisans want to combine the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Pace and the Regional Transportation Authority. Statewide, 46% of respondents supported the unification of the agencies, while 21% were opposed. Earlier this year, state legislators proposed the Metropolitan Mobility Act, to create a single transit system out of the agencies.
(Washington–jc) –Nearing a century of service in some cases, rural electric cooperatives continue to serve communities and regions through affordable power. Rod Bain reports...
(Rantoul–jc) A new pavilion and some additional netting are coming to the Rantoul Sports Complex this fall. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the project continues to be an ongoing investment at the sports complex...
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Elgin–jc) –Flags across Illinois will fly half-staffed Monday, Oct. 28, to honor a Korean War veteran whose body will be returning to his family.United States Army Corporal Eriver Ortiz was killed in action in 1950. His body could not be recovered due to intense fighting in South Korea. His body was eventually identified through dental and DNA analysis. Corporal Ortiz will be returning to Illinois with a full military funeral in Elgin.
(Danville-jc) – Vermilion County's Health and Education Committee will meet today and look at an intergovernmental agreement with theHoopeston based department of Animal Shelter. Committee members are set to meet at 5pm in Danville. County paid fees and use of an office vehicle are topics for local leaders.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business After Hours on Tuesday at Shields AutoMart in Paxton. The networking event starts at 5pm on the 29th.
WPXN News notes...
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting the Church of Christ on Saturday, October 26th from 10-2.
The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup starting Monday, October 28th and going until all streets and alleys have been taken care of.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Monday, October 28th from 10-10:30 at the Gifford State Bank in Potomac, 11-11:30 at Andi Mae's Ice Cream in Bismarck, 12-12:45 at Christman Park in Rossville and 1:45-2:15 at Centennial Park in Rankin.
The Rantoul Family Sports Complex will host a Halloween Party on Monday, October 28th from 5:30-7 pm. Activities include free hot dogs and chips, treats, games and inflatables. Costumes are encouraged.
