The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a solar panel and battery storage company with two repeat safety violations after federal investigators found the company exposed workers to deadly fall hazards twice within three months.Investigators with the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration observed employees of Sunrun Installation Services Inc. of Des Plaines working without required fall protection while installing solar panels at two residential homes in the Chicago suburbs

(The Center Square) – Illinois unfunded pension liability is growing. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reports the latest unfunded liability at nearly 144 Billion dollars. Leaders in the state continue to look at the issue, but no solutions have been brought to the state government. WirePoints President Ted Dabrowski says the pension report a large market rally, but shows a need for higher income and property taxes to deal with the billions of dollars, liability for Illinoisans...

WirePoints President Ted Dabrowski

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that it has posted the 2024 Third Quarter Report of Nursing Home Violations. Four facilities were cited with type  "double-A" violations of the Nursing Home Care Act.They are the Alden Healthcare Center in Chicago, Aliya on 87 Nursing Home in Chicago, The Allure of Pinecrest in Mount Morris and the St Pauls Senior nursing home in Bellville. Accolade on Pells in Paxton was fined $25,000. Goldwater Care in Gibson City was fined $2,500. Heritage Health in Hoopeston was fined $500. Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth was fined $25,000. Watseka Rehab and Healthcare was fined $2,200.

(Gibson City-jm) – Multiple fire departments battled a fire in Gibson City Tuesday afternoon. It happened in the 300 block of North Lawrence. Firefighters from Sibley, Melvin and Elliott were called to assist. There's no word on the cause of the fire.

(Rantoul–jc)  – With the re development project continuing in the downtown area of Rantoul, village leaders are looking for developers to make investments in current buildings are building new ones to bring more businesses to Rantoul. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says areas are ready for the future...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Rantoul-jm) – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict against Troy Burke of Rantoul, for bank robbery. According to WAND News, during the two-day trial, the government presented evidence that on June 20 Burke walked into the Community Plus Federal Credit Union in Rantoul indicating to the teller that he had a gun. He proceeded to remove the plastic partition separating the teller from the customer and threatened to hit her with it. Burke left the bank with more than $9,000 in cash and a GPS device the teller had secured in the stack of currency. Burke was stopped by Rantoul police a few blocks from the Credit Union and was found to be in possession of more than $9,000 cash and the GPS device from the bank. Sentencing for Burke has been scheduled for May 2, at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana.

(The Center Square) – As Illinois' presidential electors cast their Electoral College votes, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin advocates to abolish the system that picks the president of the United States. The ceremony in Springfield was an important one for Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who presided over the event Tuesday as the person responsible for certifying the vote. After the vote of all 19 presidential electors, Giannoulias recognized similar ceremonies are happening across the country. Despite Harris winning Illinois, Donald Trump is the winner of the overall Electoral College. He also won the overall popular vote.

(Washington–jc)  –How are the exports of animal and animal products doing during the first 10 months of fiscal 20-24.? U-S-D-A Economist Bart Kenner has the answers...

U S D A Economist Bart Kenner

(Undated-jm) – Christmas is right around the corner and many are gearing up for a busy holiday travel season. Triple A's tracking record breaking numbers with 6 million Illinoisans taking to the roads and skies. 5.5 million of those Illinoisans will be on the roads this holiday season. Ninety percent of people will be traveling by car so it's important to keep in mind the roads will be congested especially in the mid-day to early evening hours. Sunday December 22nd will be one of the busiest travel days so it is recommended you leave before noon. Thursday January 2nd is going to be one of the most popular days coming back so it is recommended you leave before 3 p.m.

(Undated-jm) – With the holidays just a few days away, the time to mail out packages and presents is drawing to a close. It's important to keep the following dates in mind to make sure you're keeping your holidays merry and bright. Today is the deadline for First Class Mail & USPS Ground Advantage. Tomorrow is the deadline for Priority Mail. Saturday is the deadline for Priority Mail Express.

(Gilman-jm) – A Gilman restaurant has closed. Denny's announced on their facebook page they were closing after 14 years. No word on any new business taking over that location along state route 24, at Interstate 57 in Gilman.

(Gibson City–jc)  With the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continuing in Chicago, one local state senator continues to plead for ethics reform in the state. 53rd district State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City  talks about the trial and need for reform in Springfield...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City

(Sibley -jm) – Sibley first responders were called to a two vehicle accident Tuesday evening. It happened just before 6pm on Route 47 at 1500 north. There's no word on if there were any injuries.

(Fairbury-jm) – A man from Allerton is facing charges in Livingston County after Fairbury Police said he arranged to meet a child for sex while on pretrial release for the same crime in Ford County. Fairbury's C.H.A.O.S. Task Force said in a release that they wrapped up an ongoing investigation that looked into sexual crimes against a child. The target of that investigation was 31-year-old William Johnson. Johnson was arrested in Paxton in November of 2023 after the Task Force said he made arrangements to meet a child for sexual purposes at that time. Johnson arranged to meet another child for sexual purposes and drove to Forrest. When Fairbury Police attempted a traffic stop, he fled. Johnson's car came to a stop three miles south of Forrest and when officers tried to arrest him, officials said he resisted, kicking one officer in the process. He was then taken back into custody. Johnson is facing felony counts of indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a child and aggravated battery to a peace officer, along with misdemeanor fleeing and eluding police.

(Ford County–jc) –  A Santa Rally is coming to some rural areas of Ford County on Saturday. The 4th annual event will start in Sibley and make its way to Piper City, Kempton, Stelle and Cabery, says Ford County EMA Coordinator and event spokesperson Terry Whitebird...

Ford County EMA Coordinator and event spokesperson Terry Whitebird

WPXN News notes

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile  today.  The first is 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.

A Family Caregiver Support Group will take place on Thursday, December 19th from 1:30-2:30 at the Watseka Public Library.

The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, December 19th from 4:30-6:30. 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 Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, December 20th from 9-9:30 at the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at Living Word Church in Roberts, 11-11:30 at the Melvin Convenient, 12:15-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, 1-1:30 at the Elliott village hall and from 2-2:30 at Paxton Hardware and Rental.

The Onarga Sons of the American Legion will hold pancakes with Santa on Saturday, December 21st from 7:30-11 am at the legion hall at Durham Park.