(Chicago–jc) –Cross-examination of former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez has resumed at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Prosecutor Diane MacArthur said Wednesday that the government expects to call former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis for testimony sometime next week. Solis agreed to cooperate with government investigators in 2014.

(Paxton–jc)  Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold has decided to run for another term. In updating our story, Mayor Ingold talks about continuing some projects and looking forward to starting a few more, if elected, again...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

The local election period is set for April First 20-25. 

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources  will host mentored archery deer hunting for adults and youth at Kickapoo State Recreation Area in Vermilion County between December  16th  and January 3rd. Participating hunters will be provided access to sections of the recreation area otherwise closed to archery deer hunting. Adult and youth hunters with less than three years of deer hunting experience and who have not been successfully drawn into the mentored deer hunt program previously may apply.  Online  Applications will be accepted through Friday November 29th. 

(Springfield–jc) The fall veto session continues in Springfield. The state faces several Billion dollars in deficits for the next fiscal budget. 41st District State Senator and Republican Minority Leader John Curran says the covid dollars are gone and the state needs to be fiscally responsible...

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Republican John Curran of Lemont

URBANA — Robert Jones plans to step down as University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chancellor and vice president of the University of Illinois System at the end of the current academic year, bringing what will be nine years of successful leadership at the state's flagship public university to a close, U of I System President Tim Killeen said on Wednesday. Under Jones' leadership, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has created a new vision of the flagship land-grant university for the 21st century while honoring and extending its long history of excellence and maintaining its timeless commitment to serving the people of Illinois. Enrollment has grown 26% during his tenure , the university has enhanced its profile as one of the country's premier research universities and a magnet for talented students, faculty, staff and researchers from across the state and around the world.

(Buckley–jc)  Buckley Village leaders continue to work with homeowners and property owners in the village to hook up to a proposed major sewer project in town. Buckley Mayor Scott Shockley says the hook ups come at no cost to the homeowners and property owners...

Buckley Mayor Scott Shockley

The village has received several major grants to pay for a majority of the costs and bids are expected to be opened over the next several weeks.

(Washington–jc)  The corn harvest is close to completion around the United States. U-S-D-A meteorologist, Brad Rippey, says 95 percent of the corn crop has been harvested...

U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

(Springfield–jc)  Named by People Magazine as "Country's New Darling," Megan Moroney is set to bring her emo cowgirl charm to the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Saturday, August 10. With nearly 2 billion total global streams to date, the Georgia-bred singer/songwriter kicked off the latest era of her formidable career with her critically acclaimed sophomore album Am I Okay?, in July, emerged as the year's third-biggest debut from a female country artist,Tickets for Moroney will go on sale Saturday, November 16 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster. 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is inviting fifth and sixth grade writers and artists from around Illinois to participate in this year's Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest. The 2025 theme "How Can You Slash Your Trash?" invites students to think creatively about how to reduce the amount of waste they produce. The students whose works are chosen for the exhibit will receive a certificate and ribbon. The top 12 entries will be given special recognition and displayed on the Illinois EPA website.

(Bloomington–)  –Shares of Rivian jumped Wednesday after the electric vehicle manufacturer announced an expansion of the Normal-based company's partnership with Volkswagen. The joint venture will begin operations immediately, initially in North America and eventually expanding to Europe, and will also support the development of EVs in the subcompact segmentVolkswagen will increase its investment from $5 billion to $5.8 billion. Shares of the German automaker fell on the news. 

(The Center Square) – Legislation to prohibit carbon capture and sequestration activities near a sole-source aquifer supplying drinking water to over 500,000 residents across 14 counties in Illinois is causing a stir in Springfield.   State Senator Paul Faraci, Democrat from Champaign, said while federal protections exist for groundwater, concerns remain about the long-term safety of underground storage near the Mahomet Aquifer. Earlier this year, Governor . J.B. Pritzker signed into law a regulatory framework for the development of carbon capture projects in the state. During a Senate Executive Committee hearing Wednesday on Faraci's bill, state Sen. Chapin Rose, Republican fromMahomet, said if there would be a carbon leak, thousands of Illinoisans would be out of luck.

(Washington–jc)  –  The nation's soybean crop is 96 percent complete. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippy says the harvest is ahead of last year...

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

(Champaign–jc)  –Champaign City Manager Dorothy Ann David Wednesday announced her plans to retire from the City of Champaign on December 20. David has served the City of Champaign for more than 30 years, including the last eleven years as City Manager. David says it has been an honor to serve the city of Champaign. David started with the City of Champaign in 1994 as Neighborhood Services Director, was promoted to Assistant City Manager in 2007, and has served as City Manager since April 2013.

(Rantoul–jc)  The holidays are the time of the year to help your local food pantry and those in need. The Community Service Center in Rantoul has several food pantries that are available for those in Champaign County and another for those in Northern Champaign County. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says the pantries have regular hours...

Rantoul based Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford

(Springfield–jc)  –Illinois hunters harvested nearly 300 wild turkeys across the state during the fall firearm season, a 10% increase from last year's season. Turkey hunting was open in 56 of the 102 counties in Illinois. The county with the highest turkey total was Jefferson. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said the all-time record for harvested turkeys was 1,218 in 2005.