(Springfield–jc) Legislation has been filed in the Illinois House to protect funding for essential programs that deliver meals to senior citizens in need. Meal delivery programs, like Meals on Wheels, have experienced recent funding delays putting their services in jeopardy. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting has helped to introduce a bill to provide funding...
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington
House bill 59-11 appropriates 25 Millions dollars from the General Revenue Fund to the Department on Aging for the Home Delivered Meals Program by diverting funding from the Department of Human Services for Illinois Welcoming Centers. Recent cuts have canceled peace meal type programs locally in the Roberts, Buckley, Cissna Park and other Iroquois County areas.
Today is the last day of the fall veto session in Springfield
(Danville–jc) – Danville Community College leaders are set to discuss the annual tax compliance report, look at travel expenses for Trustees and workman comp insurance rates for 20-25 when they meet later today in Danville. Also on the agenda includes a potential solar project and sabbatical proposals. The Danville Area Community College board meets at 5-30 on the campus in Danville
(Rantoul–jc) –The village of Rantoul is using some of its Community Development Block Grant funds to help a new business coming to the village. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says 400 thousand dollars will be used to help the Buzard Pipe Organ builders into Rantoul and bring jobs too...
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Springfield–-jc) – Labor activists were in Springfield Wednesday to push for an end to tipped wages. The One Fair Wage group says legislators need to rally against the incoming Trump administration. The event included a holiday turkey giveaway at a Springfield church. Republicans say the state needs to make way for the possibility of no taxes on tips, a campaign pledge from President-elect Donald Trump.
(Paxton–jc) The move and installation for the city of Paxton, Crown on the Town project, will be done next Spring. The Paxton Foundation has raised the needed money and work on the project continues. The reason for the delay for the final phase of the project is the weather, says Paxton Foundation Spokesperson Royce Baier...
Paxton Foundation Spokesperson Royce Baier
(Illinois–jc) Metro Staff Inc. has settled with the state of Illinois to resolve allegations the company entered into no-poach agreements and engaged in wage fixing with two other staffing agencies. Illinois' Attorney General said the 1-point 8 million dollar settlement will compensate temporary workers impacted by the activity. Similar settlements were made with Colony Display L-L-C and Elite Staffing Incorporated this summer.
(Urbana–jc) –Urbana Park District and O-S-F HealthCare– Heart of Mary Medical Center have signed a five-year, 150 thousand dollar contract to support health and wellness in the community. O-S-F Heart of Mary will grant the Park District $30,000 for the next five years. That gift will pay for memberships to the Park District Health and Wellness Center. The Urbana Park District is committed to the health and wellness of everyone in Urbana and the surrounding community. One of 2720the missions is to create spaces that provide for the health and wellness of our residents. For years, the Park District had a vision to build and operate a health and wellness center on land the district owns. Urbana Park District's mission is to provide equal access for all. With that in mind, Park District leaders decided to build a Health and Wellness Center on the east side of Urbana.
(Champaign–jc0 – January 19th is the date for the Champaign County 24th Annual Reverend. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration., Organizers are looking for nominations for three awards. They include the Burgess-Freiburg Humanitarian Award, The Doris Hoskins Community Service Award and the M-L-K Achievement award. The event is sponsored by the City of Champaign, City of Urbana, Champaign County, Parkland College, the University of Illinois, and the Village of Rantoul The public is invited to attend.
(Springfield–jc) –Illinois' unfunded pension liability compared to personal income is the second worst in the country, according to a nationwide report from Fitch Ratings. Behind only Connecticut, Fitch pegs Illinois' unfunded pension liability and other post employment benefits at 206.5 billion dollars. That now takes up nearly 23 percent of the state's personal income.
(Bushnell–jc) – Tool company to receive $5 million from state taxpayers.
The Marshalltown Hammer Company in Bushnell will receive $5 million from state taxpayers in an effort the Pritzker administration said preserves 100 jobs and supports advanced manufacturing in the region. Marshalltown has made tools and equipment across a wide range of industries since 1890.
(Rantou–jc) – Donations for the annual Holiday Bureau in Rantoul continue. New toys, food items and dollars are needed for this year's efforts. Rantoul based Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says they helped over 400 kids and 300 families...
Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford
To donate, check them out on facebook or give them a call at 217-893-1530
(The Center Square) – Prosecutors have introduced a new witness for jurors at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain. Former Cook County commissioner, Cook County recorder of deeds and Madigan campaign worker Edward Moody was called to testify on Wednesday. Moody said he did "political work" for Madigan, including outreach, candidate training and recruitment, voter registration and door-to-door campaigning. When asked by U.S. government attorney Diane MacArthur, Moody affirmed that he was testifying with immunity, meaning that he would be immune from prosecution if he provided truthful testimony. Moody said he received monthly checks over a period of years from McClains office for which he did "little" work.
(Paxton–jc) – The city of Paxton police department is getting two Panasonic In-Car cameras and an additional two Body-worn cameras. The authorization came from the council this month. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says there is a new state law that takes effect on January First with police cameras and Paxton has been pro active to provide the police department these tools...
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
Springfield–jc) The fall veto session continues in Springfield today and tomorrow. Newly elected 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema talks about the need for services to all of Illinois, not just Chicago...
Newly elected State Senator Chris Balkema
Balkema is in Springfield observing the fall veto session
(The Center Square) – As Illinois continues to set aside state and federal tax dollars to so-called "clean energy" programs, some are calling for a different direction. E-P-A Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore announced the state is receiving 500 million dollars across two different grants. 101st district State Representative Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, says projects need to stand on their own, and not to just throw millions of dollars at them...
101st district State Representative Dan Caulkins Republican of Decatur
WPXN news notes...
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on today from 9-9:30 at Edge Insurance in Buckley, 10-10:30 at Durham Park in Onarga, 11-11:30 at the Crescent City Community Center, 12:30-1 at Runnings in Watseka and from 1:30-2 at Milford Town and Country.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper today from 4:30-6:30pm . The meal includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Cost is $11 for adults, kids 6-13 is $6, kids under 5 are free. Delivery is available in town by calling 217-379-0349.
The Paxton-Buckley-Loda Junior High School will present "Seussical Jr. the Musical" at 7 p.m. Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, Nov. 23, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, in the school's gymnasium. Tickets cost $5 at the door.
The 41st annual Gifford State Bank Country Christmas Craft Show will take place Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th. Hours Saturday are 8-5 and Sunday 9-3.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting the Paxton Masonic Lodge on Saturday, November 23rd from 10-2.
Gibson City's 30th annual lighted Christmas parade will take place on Saturday, November 23rd. A vendor and food showcase, kids zone with crafts, face painting and games and horse drawn wagon rides go from 3-6 pm. The parade kicks off at 6:30 pm. Santa will visit with kids following the parade.
The 2024 Farmer City Christmas parade will take place Sunday, November 24th at 2pm. The theme is "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".
