URBANA — The Illinois Flash Index for October increased slightly to 102.2 from its reading last month of 102. With GDP growth at 2.8 percent for the third quarter, the goal of a soft landing from the strong post-COVID economies remains relatively strong. Illinois' unemployment rate remained steady at 5.3 percent, but still well above the national rate of 4.1 percent. The state unemployment rate, still low by historical standards, indicates a slower recovery for Illinois than most other states. For the month, individual income tax and sales tax receipts in the state were down slightly in real terms compared to the same month last year while corporate tax receipts experienced a larger percentage decline for the normally slow month of October.

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were busy over the weekend handling a rollover accident and a semi fire. Crews were called to the rollover accident Friday night near 500 north and 2200 east. Saturday morning crews were called to a semi on fire on Route 45 near Center Street. Authorities say the truck was owned by Weber Trucking, The incident happened around 7-30 Saturday morning. No one was hurt. Firefighters from the Paxton Fire Department responded to the scene.

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department will be conducting hazardous materials training today, Wednesday and Friday at Sholem Aquatic Center in Champaign.  Fire department instructors will lead a scenario designed to simulate a hazardous materials release and subsequent control of the release. There will be two daily sessions beginning at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to allow for all on-duty crews to attend.

(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Police Department has made an arrest in connection with a shooting that happened on October 26th. Rantoul Police responded to the 1200 block of East Grove Avenue after reports that someone had been injured in a shooting. At the scene, they found a 22-year-old Ludlow man with injuries to his arm and lower back. U.S. Marshals and Rantoul police arrested 19-year-old Daniel Hodge Jr. on a warrant for attempted murder.

(Watseka–dm)-Election Day is tomorrow and the Iroquois County Clerk's office has been busy with mail in ballots and early voting.  Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver has more.

Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver.

(The Center Square) – When most think of ports, they think of coastal cities, but Illinois has a thriving port system that continues to gain notoriety.  Since 2022, Corn Belt Ports have attracted over 2 billion dollars  in multi-modal and natural infrastructure investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other funding sources. Officials said the recognition of the Corn Belt Ports has enabled downstate Illinois to be more competitive for direct and indirect investment.  Some of the cities recognized as ports include Peoria, Quincy, Ottawa and Rock Island.

(The Center Square) – A new report says gas bills for many Illinoisans could skyrocket unless state regulators intervene in a pipe replacement program

Peoples Gas and its System Modernization Program has been under fire for cost overruns and delays. The Illinois Commerce Commission paused most spending on the program pending a state investigation. The nonprofit Citizens Utility Board has released a report that says the cost of Peoples Gas' program has climbed to nearly $11 billion, far beyond the original $2 billion estimate. Citizens Utility Board Director of Communication Jim Chilsen has more.

CUB Director of Communications Jim Chilsen

(Washington-jm) – How are trends of strengthening broiler production and prices reflected in the latest USDA report for the current and next calendar year? Rod Bain reports...

(Champaign County–jc) There is a large amount of standing water across the eastbound lanes of Interstate 74, just east of I-57 this morning. State Police are advising motorists to proceed with extreme caution and avoid the area if possible.

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Board of Higher Education released its fall enrollment report for the state's public universities for the fall semester of the 2024-25 academic  year. Illinois public universities also achieved progress across a range of key variables including: Increased undergraduate enrollment by 2%, increased new full-time transfer student enrollment by 5.1%, increased African American undergraduate enrollment by 2.8%, increased Latino undergraduate enrollment by 1.4%, and increased freshmen enrollment by 0.6%, the fourth consecutive year of growth.

(Grundy County–jc)  One local State Senator is citing another fault in the now two year law in Illinois called the "safety act." 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett says two illegal aliens in Grundy County were arrested, but one was released...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City

(Rural Rantoul-jm) – Champaign County Coroner Stephen Thuney is releasing the identity of a woman who has died as the result of injuries sustained in a single vehicle crash. Julie A. Wargolet, 54 years old, of Rantoul was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:21 a.m. on Sunday. Preliminary information indicates Mrs. Wargolet's vehicle left the road for an unknown reason before rolling and coming to rest in a plowed field just south of 1400 East & 2700 North in rural Rantoul. An autopsy is scheduled for today. This death is being investigated by the Champaign County Coroner's Office and the Champaign County Sheriff's Office.

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College and Southern Illinois University Carbondale have entered an agreement that will allow Parkland students to earn SIU bachelor's degrees remotely and at a lower cost in 12 academic programs.

(Rantoul–jc)  –  Rantoul village leaders continue to look at ways to upgrade the village's electrical system as the village grows and the future needs of electricity also grow. Rantoul Mayor says they have applied  for a grant from the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Campustown-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating after a Campustown bar was robbed at gunpoint Friday. The robbery happened at Joe's Brewery at Fifth and Green Streets. Bar employees told an officer a man entered the building through an exit and pointed a gun at three employees, one of whom was standing near a cash register. The man grabbed money from the register and fled through the same door he had entered through. No shots were fired and no one was hurt.

(Cissna Park–jc)  –The annual Cissna Park Small Town Christmas is set for later this month. The local community will host the two day event on November 29th and 30th. Cissna Park stores will be open at extended hours and other activities include a tree lighting, carolers,  meeting Santa Claus and a life size Candyland game at the library.