(Urbana–jc) –Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer has released the name of
a Chatsworth man who has died after his involvement in a motor vehicle crash in Livingston County on Wednesday morning. 57 year old Thomas J. Stadler was pronounced dead at the Carle Foundation Hospital Emergency Department. This death is being investigated by the Champaign County Coroner's Office and the Livingston County Sheriff's Office.
(Highland Park–jc) –A judge has ruled that a video confession given by the man accused of shooting and killing seven people at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park two years ago is valid. Judge Victoria Rosetti denied a motion to suppress Robert Crimo III's testimony, saying the defendant was aware of his rights and declined an attorney numerous times. Crimo, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is expected to go to trial in February.
(The Center Square) – Among the nearly 300 new laws set to take effect January First In Illinois is one impacting potential sales of local media outlets to out-of-state buyers. Senate Bill 3592 passed the Senate in April. Sponsor of the bill ,State Senator Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, says it requires local media outlets looking to sell to an out-of-state buyer to provide a 120-day notice to the state and their staff. The measure also creates a journalism student scholarship program to encourage more students to pursue a career in journalism.
(Bloomington–jc) –Illinois High School Association member schools approved all nine amendment proposals that appeared on the all-school ballot during the annual by-law referendum process that ended this week. The most significant change of note will be a reduction in summer contact days from 25 to 20, a change that is applicable during the summer of 2025. Other changes include penalties for unlicensed officials. And also modifies all-star limitation by-law to be in place only during the school year. Member schools also put in penalties for schools who violate the season limit of games in any sport. Also, any football player that is ejected from a contest, will have to sit out an additional 4 quarters of competition
(Paxton–jc) – The Ford County Farm Committee will look at reported crop numbers for county owned land when they meet on Friday morning in Paxton. Other noted agenda items include issues with weeds and year end reports from land operators. The Ford County Farm Committee meeting is set for 10-30 Friday morning in the small courtroom at the Ford County Courthouse in Paxton.
(Buckley–jc) – Bids are being re-bid for the new village of Buckley sewer project. Local leaders continue to look at their options for the project. Buckley Mayor Scott Shockley says the new sewer will also help with potential economic development...
Village of Buckley Mayor Scott Shockley
(Champaign–jc) - The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire at a home in the 600 block of English Creek Court on Wednesday afternoon. Once upon the scene, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire. The cause of the blaze was determined as accidental. One resident was treated at the scene and taken to a local hospital and the family pets were also saved
(Chicago – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a 3-point-5 million dollar settlement with Palmco PowerL, operating under the name Indra Energy. The agreement resolves allegations that the alternative retail electric supplier engaged in deceptive tactics to convince consumers to switch over to its expensive electricity, causing Illinois consumers to pay millions of dollars more than they would have if they had remained enrolled with their default public utility. Refund amounts will be based on customers' electricity usage.
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Music Foundation presented their Christmas program this past Sunday and the group continues its work to spread the joy of music. Gibson City Music Foundation Spokesperson Barb Horsch says money raised by the group goes to students and more...
Gibson CIty Music Foundation Spokesperson Barb Horsch.
WPXN will air the group's Christmas program next week.
(Springfield–jc0 – Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 82,500 deer during the seven-day 2024 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded on December 8th. Local totals are 196 deer harvested in Champaign County and 119 in Ford County. 486 deer harvested in Iroquois County and 606 in Vermilion County Archery deer season continues through January 19th.
(Springfield–jc)-- Starting January First, employers in Illinois will be required to provide pay stubs to employees each pay period. The pay stubs must include information on hours worked, pay rates, overtime pay, and deductions from wages. Employers must keep a copy of an employee's pay stub for a period of three years from the date of payment, regardless of whether that person remains employed at the business. An employee or former employee may request copies of their pay stubs at least twice in a 12-month period.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Parkland College Board of Trustees approved a contract to design and construct a mobile career exploration lab and recruitment space for use within District 505 communities. The accepted proposal for the new fifth-wheel trailer came from Mobile Marketing Solutions of Central City Kentucky for 270 thousand dollarsFunds for this purchase have been made available from the Illinois Community College Board's Taking Back the Trades Grant.
(Ford County–jc) Looking at opportunities for Ford County is the focus of Ford County Board Chairman Chase McCall of Gibson City. McCall says one recent business closure is a wake up call to look at future opportunities...
Ford County Board Chairman Chase McCall of Gibson City
(The Center Square) – Defense attorneys have begun making their case at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain. After the government rested its case Wednesday, McClain's defense team called former AT&T Illinois executive Steve Selcke to testify. Selcke discussed lobbying and said his full-time job with AT&T involved lobbying members of the Illinois General Assembly. Selcke said he would periodically receive job recommendations from lawmakers. Selcke said he would hope to get credit if he was able to satisfy a lawmaker's request
(Rantoul–jc) Those in the Rantoul area can get a closer look at the proposed Rantoul downtown "Streetscape" project later today. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith provides the invite...
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
Again, the open house takes place from 5pm to 7pm today in the Village Hall Board room on Tanner Street.
(Danville–jc) Bids for computer equipment and trash removal are on the agenda of the Danville Community College board of trustees meeting later today. The board will also hear about two high school sporting events coming in January with the Vermilion County Wrestling and Basketball tournaments. The meeting comes to order in Danville at 5-30 this afternoon.
(Paxton–jc) – Ford County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1-point 0-4-3-8, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue . The property assessment equalization factor, often called the "multiplier," is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state's 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties.
(Gibson Cityjc) – One local non-profit has received some funds from Landmarks Illinois to help with a building preservation project in Gibson City. The Gibson City Restoration Association netted a 4 thousand dollar grant for mason work with the historic Burwell Building. Gibson City Restoration Committee Spokesperson Sharon Heavilyn says they bought the building several years ago and have been raising money for its restoration...
Gibson City Restoration Committee Spokesperson Sharon Heavilyn. The group has a weekly Queen of Hearts fundraisers on Wednesday nights.
WPXN News notes...
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, December 19th 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.
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 today 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 Onarga American Legion will hold their fish fry on Friday, December 20th from 4:30-7pm.
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.
The 2024 Ford County Santa Rally will take place on Saturday, December 21st. The rally will start in Sibley at 11:15 am, Melvin at noon, Piper City at 1pm, Kempton at 2 pm, Stelle at 2:35 pm and Cabery at 3. Santa will visit children at each community's town hall or community center.
