CHAMPAIGN - Champaign police were dispatched just before 8 Monday night to the 2400 block of West Springfield Avenue for a report of a shooting with injuries. On-scene, officers located a 21-year-old female with multiple life-threatening gunshot wounds. Officers immediately rendered medical aid with assistance from the Champaign Fire Department until the victim could be transported to an area hospital. She succumbed to her injuries at the hospital a short time later.The initial investigation indicates that a man and woman entered a business when an unknown subject opened fire. The woman was struck multiple times. The man was not struck. The subject then fled the area on foot. At this time, the reason for the gunfire remains unknown. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing. Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477 (TIPS).
(Rantoul–jc) It's more jobs and a new manufacturer that is coming to the village of Rantoul. From a chamber perspective, the Buzard Organ Company is investing in a new building and around 30 new jobs, and that is another plus for local businesses and job seekers, says Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susie Avalos...
Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susie Avalos
(Paxton–jc) – The Ford County Executive committee will look at the purpose, structure and agendas for future meetings when they meet tomorrow in Paxton. Looking at the role of a Ford County Administrator and a look at the county solid waste ordinance are also topics for the committee. The Ford County Executive Committee meeting comes to order at 10-30 Thursday morning in the Ford County Small Courthouse in Paxton
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a multi vehicle accident on I-57 Tuesday evening. Crews were called just before 8pm to the accident in the southbound lanes near mile marker 257. It's unknown if there were any injuries.
(Chicago–jc) –Evidence and witnesses involving AT&T are the focus at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain. Judge John Robert Blakey said he will determine whether former State Rep. Eddie Acevedo should be ordered to the witness stand. Acevedo's attorney and defense attorneys argue the former Illinois lawmaker is not competent to testify. Blakey is also considering the admissibility of evidence which prosecutors hope to introduce and defense attorneys say should be excluded.
(Paxton–jc)-- When Santa comes to the Paxton Park District on Saturday, he is arriving in a special way. Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman says the jolly old elf will arrive in a big red wagon...
Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman
The breakfast starts at 8 at the park district office Saturday morning.
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Acting Director James Jennings announced a new funding opportunity to assist communities where there are currently no wastewater collection and no treatment facilities. The Illinois EPA is making One Million dollars, available for grants through the Unsewered Communities Planning Grant Program, which will assist small and disadvantaged communities in developing a project plan that identifies a solution to wastewater collection and treatment needs. A Notice of Funding Opportunity has been posted to the Illinois EPA website.
(Springfield–jc) A tax watchdog group has given the state of Illinois a low ranking for its high and complex tax system. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett, Republican from Gibson City, says the state continues to raise taxes and still has a proposed deficit in the near year's budget nearing 4 Billion dollars...
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City
(Springfield–jc) The top 10 finalists for a new Illinois state flag have been announced. The Illinois Secretary of State announced the Illinois Flag Commission's recommendations came from nearly 5,000 submissions. The public will have the chance to vote online, for one of the new designs, or one of three former flag designs including the existing flag, the 1918 Centennial Flag and the 1968 Sesquicentennial Flag.
(Springfield–jc) –Illinois' growth since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has been consistently weaker than the national average. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reports since October 2019, U.S. employment increased by 4.9%, while Illinois has grown by 0.5%. In the past year, Chicago's metro area lost 600 jobs.
(Rantoul–-jc) Site work for the new Culvers in the village of Rantoul continues and plans for a new Busey Bank, hotel and restaurant are all moving forward. Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer says it's all part of the economic development around the Rantoul Sports Complex area in the village...
Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer
(Springfield–jc) – Small business optimism has increased to above the 50-year average for November. The National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index for November was 101.7, after 34 months of remaining below the 50-year average of 98. N-F-I-B Illinois State Director Noah Finley said small business owners are showing renewed confidence, aiming for capital investments in the next six months.
(Gibson City-jm) – A Gibson City business is back open after being closed for more than 2 years following a fire. Hustedt Jewelers announced yesterday they are back open and will be open every day until Christmas before going back to their regular hours Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays after Christmas. The current hours leading up to Christmas Monday-Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5, Sundays 12-4 and Christmas Eve 9-4.
(Washington–jc) – It's a smaller orange crop. What does that mean for your breakfast? Rod Bain reports..
(Illinois–jc) An Illinois State House delegation is in Gaza today visiting a site part of the Oct. 7th 20-23, terrorist attack in Israel. The bipartisan delegation includes Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Democratic state Rep. Bob Morgan and House Minority Leader Tony McCombie with additional lawmakers from Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana. McCombie said she's eager to "understand how the State of Illinois can be a stronger, truthful partner going forward."
(Washington–jc) What are the steps and intentions of a National Milk Testing Strategy as part of U-S-D-A's efforts to monitor and prevent spread of the H-5-N-1 virus in dairy cattle? Rod Bain has the answer...
(Pontiac–jc) A final coffee and conversation is set for Wednesday December 18th in Pontiac for local State Senator Tom Bennett. The event is set for the Pontiac Family Kitchen, starting at 8-30 am. Senator Bennett is retiring at the end of the year.
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 Onarga American Legion's Christmas Tree Lane will host the Onarga Music Club on Friday, December 13th from 5-8 pm.
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 Onarga Chamber of Commerce will hold a Christmas Variety Show on Saturday, December 14th at the Onarga Theatre.
Onarga will hold their 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.
