(Springfield–jc)Illinois lawmakers may consider pension reform when they return to Springfield in January. A coalition of labor unions have filed a bill to improve pension benefits for teachers, firefighters, and other public employees who started working after 2010. The bill includes lowering the retirement age and improving benefit calculations. Labor unions argue benefits for Tier 2 employees are too far behind those in Tier 1. Tier 2 employees say it is unfair they have a higher retirement age with a lower level of benefits. State lawmakers are also seeking to fix the pension systems' alignment with Social Security laws.

(Gibson City–jc)  Gibson City leaders are set to discuss an ordinance to approve several TIF redevelopment agreements when they meet tonight. The ordinance is between the city and Trikor Incorporated, and S and K Enterprises. The meeting comes to order at 7 tonight at city hall

(Mahomet–jc)  –A candlelight vigil was held last week  in Mahomet to commemorate the lives of three people murdered in the central Illinois community. A suspect in the shootings was located in Berwyn where he exchanged gunfire with police and was killed. Police identified him as 24-year-old John Lyons of Westchester. Illinois State Police, which is handling the investigation, has not revealed what connection Lyons had with the victims.  The investigation continues this morning

(Illinois–jc)-- Discount retailer Big Lots announced  that it is closing all remaining stores. The chain closed 400 locations earlier this year, with 963 stores remaining open across the country. According to the company's website, 17 locations in Illinois are affected, including stores in Decatur, Quincy and two stores in Springfield. 

(Springfield–jc)  –Another round of new designs for specialty plates become law in 2025. Created for universal plates are the Illinois United States Tennis Association-Midwest Tennis Foundation for Youth Tennis decal, the Navy Club decal, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers decal, and the 100 Club of Illinois decal.

(SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources  announced Jenn Edginton will serve as director of the Illinois State Museum. Edginton has been the interim director of the Illinois State Museum since February 2023. 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  New development on Rantoul's west side continues into the Christmas Holiday. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says several businesses and a hotel chain continue to process their developments...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Rantoul-dg)-Rantoul Police say they arrested Jamie Diego-Martin who had a warrant issued for leaving the scene of a pedestrian hit-n-run accident on November 7th in Rantoul.  Diego- Martin was apprehended in Knoxville, Tennessee with the assistance of the US Marshal's Fugitive Task Force. He will remain in Custody in Tennessee until being extradited back to Champaign County.

(Paxton–jc)  Local law enforcement agreements have been completed by the Ford County Board and Ford County Sheriff's Department with several towns in Ford County. Ford County Board Chairman Chase McCall says these agreements were finalized this month...

Ford County Board Chairman Chase McCall

Livingston County, IL - The Livingston County Health Department announced the closure of the School Based Health Center, located at Pontiac Township High School, effective this past Friday  Livingston County leaders are exploring new opportunities to expand these services to all school districts across Livingston County. Pontiac Township High School students who received School Based Health Center services need access to their medical records, they may contact the  Health Department at 815-844-7174.

(undated–jc)--After nearly 40 years in business, Party City is closing all of its stores, including dozens in Illinois. The company's CEO told corporate employees in a meeting that Party City is "winding down" operations immediately and that Friday was their last day of employment. The company had approximately 6,400 full-time and 10,100 part-time workers as of 2021. There are 32 Party City locations in Illinois, including in Bloomington, Springfield and Fairview Height

(Undated–jc)  –It's Christmas week and many have their "Christmas wish list." WPXN News asked Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman what is on his Christmas wish list...

Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman

WPXN news also asked Ford County E-M-A Coordinator Terry Whitebird what is on his Christmas Wish List...

Ford County E-M-ACoordinatorr Terry Whitebird

(Springfield–jc)  –Illinois' public schools face uncertainty next year as the state faces some serious budgetary challenges.The State Board of Education is getting ready to submit its budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Last week, the board was told the state faces a possible 3-point-9 billion-dollar budget deficit. 

Current state law requires a 350-million-dollar increase in K-through-12 spending each year. But Illinois also faces rising costs for health care and pension contributions while state revenues are expected to remain flat. State spending on public schools totaled about 11-billion dollars this year, or one-fifth of the entire state budget. The State Board of Education is expected to vote in January on a formal budget proposal for next year.

(Thawville–jc) Iroquois County Sheriff's police continue to investigate a burglary that happened in Thawville last week. Police were called to a burglary in process on Tuesday. Upon investigation, police arrested 32 year old Travis Dickinson of Thawville. He was charged with criminal trespass to a residence and theft Dickenson was then released with a notice to appear

(Watseka–jc) A Danville man was arrested for aggravated speeding on Saturday on an Iroquois County warrant.  He failed to appear on an original charge of speeding over 35 miles per hour of the speed limit.Police say30 year old Dion McGrown was transported to the Iroquois County jail in Watseka, awaiting a court appearance

(Will County–jc)  Some rural Illinois residents continue to support local decisions on wind farms, but are meeting resistance at the state level. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...

(Chicago–jc)  –Newly installed manufactured homes in Illinois must soon be equipped with weather radios. Beginning January first, a new law requires whoever installed the manufactured home to supply the emergency weather radios. The measure is among nearly 300 new laws taking effect in the new year. 

(Washington–jc)  –The U.S. Department of Transportation has chosen SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, to provide air service to the Decatur Airport. The four-year term will run through Dec. 31, 2028. Officials at the Peoria International Airport have announced that daily roundtrip flights to Denver will be available beginning in March. United Airlines will provide daily roundtrip flights in the morning and return 12 hours later.

(Watseka–jc)  –  Do you want to serve on a local town or village board or a non-profit group council? The Iroquois Economic Development Association, along with a community foundation in Kankakee and Olivet University has a bootcamp training workshop in early January. The training date is Thursday January 9 from 8-30am to 4pm at the Extension Center in Watseka. More information is found on line. 

(Cullom–jc)  Tri Point school leaders appointed Shawn Platz to an  unexpired 2 year term on the school board this month. Board members also adopted a resolution to honor the 20-24 Tri Point High School Cross Country team and accepted the yearly financial report. The board meets next on January 15th 

(Normal–jc) Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule  announced that Dr. Glen Nelson has accepted the role of vice president for finance and planning. Nelson most recently served as the vice president for administration and finance and chief financial officer at California State University His first day on the job at Illinois State University is January 6th.

(Undated–jc)  –It's Christmas week and many have their "Christmas wish list." WPXN News asked Melvin Women's Club Spokesperson Kay Swearingen about her Christmas wish list...

Melvin Women's club spokesperson Kay Swearigen

What is on the Christmas Wish list for Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack...

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack