(Illinois–jc)  –Stellantis is recalling more than 300,000 Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks because a faulty part could cause certain braking and tracking systems to fail. The trucks in question are all model years 2017-18.Stellantis has been struggling with falling sales that have led to layoffs and ballooning inventory on dealer lots. There have been calls by lawmakers for Stellantis to reopen its plant in Belvidere, which the company put on hold.  

(Mattoon– Southbound lanes of Interstate 57 were closed for several hours on Sunday afternoon after a two vehicle crash near Matton. Police say a southbound motorist struck a semi. Cleanup took around 4 hours and the roadway is back to normal. 

(Channahon–jc)  The State of Illinois budget office is predicting a 3 point 5 to 3 point 9 Billion dollar shortfall for the next fiscal year. Gone are the national covid dollars and lawmakers are left to try and close the gap. Newly elected 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican of Channahon says the state has started a new 5 year plan, but the plan has higher taxes and a big gap between revenues and a proposed budget...

53rd District Elect, State Senator Chris Balkema of Channahon

(The Center Square) – Illinois' gun and magazine ban will stay in effect pending the outcome in the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, the appeals court ruled Thursday.  Illinois banned the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities in January 2023. Lawsuits in federal court followed, challenging the ban based on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and other grounds. The issue went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas said the case was not ripe because it was not on final judgement. The Southern District of Illinois consequently found the law unconstitutional. Judge Stephen McGlynn issued an injunction against the law last month but put a 30 day hold on his order. That stay would have lifted Dec. 9.

(Paxton–dm)-Christmas lights are a big tradition this time of year.  Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen has some safety tips when putting up your lights this year.

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can Hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings at 7am on Scott's Tips for Success.

(Rantoul–jc)  Rantoul Township High School Board members will look to adopt several upgrades in its school policies when they meet tonight . Issues range from suspension procedures to gift bans and the staff development program. They will also introduce the student of the month–Jacob Fox. The Rantoul High School board meeting comes to order at the high school at 6 on tonight. 

(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois is expected to testify today at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain. Budzinski, D-Springfield, has represented Illinois' 13th congressional district since 2023. The Democrat incumbent won her reelection against Republican Joshua Loyd last month. Prior to being elected to Congress, Budzinski was a special assistant to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and worked as a member of his transition team when he was governor-elect in late 2018 and 2019. Last week, U.S. government attorney Sarah Streicker introduced emails from former Madigan chief of staff Jessica Basham to Budzinski and Anne Caprara, who was Pritzker's campaign manager and future chief of staff, with personnel recommendations for the governor-elect's administration and transition team. Basham said she prepared the emails as directed by Madigan.

(Springfield–jc)  One local state senator is renewing his call to Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker to look into a statewide drug problem in Illinois' prisons. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the republican caucus is wanting some input from the governor's office...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City

Springfield, Ill- The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is announcing the opening of the application period for our new Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant Program. The Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant program provides grants up to $350,000 for the construction or rehabilitation of fire stations with a total of 5 million dollars available to departments across the state. Applications must be electronically submitted or postmarked no later than February 28, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Energy is announcing a fourth Notice of Funding Opportunity available to municipalities and counties through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program for the completion of energy efficiency building audits  or building upgrades identified in a published energy or climate action plan. Awards for projects will range from $50,000 to $250,000 with a total award distribution over 1 million dollars. 

(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs will present the 2024 Gold Star Christmas tree dedicated to Illinois heroes who lost their lives in combat. The tree will be lit following a program at 1pm today in Springfield. The tree will be decorated by Gold Star Families with personalized ornaments commemorating each Illinois hero who lost their life in combat. The tree is a space to reflect on and remember their sacrifice and commitment to our nation's freedoms. The event is set for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield.

WPXN News notes...

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, December 12th from 5:30-7:30 at the Knights of Columbus sponsored by the Bank of Rantoul.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, December 13th from 9-10 am at the Fountain Valley Mobile Home basketball courts and from 10:30-11 at the Ludlow community center.

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, December 13th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10 per plate.

The annual Breakfast with Santa event sponsored by the Paxton Park District is set for Saturday, December 14, at the Civic Center. A free breakfast is served by members of the park board, with Santa available to meet and take photos with children.

The Rantoul Youth Center will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 14th from 8-10 am. Reservations are required by Monday, December 9th by calling the recreation department at 217-893-5700.

The Onarga Chamber of Commerce will hold a Christmas Variety Show on Saturday, December 14th at the Onarga Theatre and a  lighted Christmas parade on Saturday, December 14th at 4:30 pm.

St. Joseph will hold their lighted Christmas parade on Saturday, December 14th at 6pm.

The Onarga American Legion's Christmas Tree Lane will host the Onarga Music Club on Friday, December 13th from 5-8 pm.