(The Center Square) – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan decided to testify in his own defense at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. The former Illinois House Speaker entered the witness box on Tuesday afternoon after waiving his right to not testify. Judge John Robert "Jack" Blakey ruled that Madigan would not forfeit his ability to testify or not testify in a separate bench trial based on his decision in the current jury trial. Blakey said the bench trial may be simultaneous but it was not a joint proceeding. In the event of a mistrial in the current jury trial, Madigan could make a different decision in a different proceeding if prosecutors decide to retry the case if jurors cannot reach a unanimous verdict. Government attorney Julia Schwartz argued that once Madigan opted to testify, the testimony could be used in a future proceeding.
(Paxton–jc) – Plans for a new gas station and convenience store on Paxton's west side continue with talks between the city and the developers. How to use the property involved, electric charging stations and the size of the convenience store are all topics, says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold...
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Kankakee–jc) – In updating our story, an autopsy was held Tuesday for an Illinois Department of Transportation employee killed in Iroquois County on Monday. Kankakee County Coroner Robert Gessner says the I-DOT employee killed was 29 year old Aaron Pittman-Teague. The accident happened near Danforth in northern Iroquois County on Monday afternoon. The investigation into the accident continues.
(Springfield–jc) The Illinois Flash Index for December showed strength, rising to 102.4 from its reading last month of 102. Professor Emeritus, Institute of Government and Public Affairs, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Fred Giertz, says that while last year was eventful in the nation and world, the U S. and Illinois economies showed remarkable stability and talk of a recession has nearly vanished. Illinois' major state tax revenues, the primary drivers of the index, were strong in December. Both sales and individual income tax receipts were up in real terms from the same month last year while corporate receipts were down slightly. Nominal sales tax receipts recorded the highest monthly total in history, just missing the one-billion-dollar level.
(Springfield–jc) The 103rd General Assembly "Lame Duck" session came to a close on Tuesday. Retiring 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett provides insight into topics from the recent secession...
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett, Republican from Gibson City
The 104th General Assembly will be sworn in later today in Springfield.
(The Center Square) – The state of Illinois awarded more than $21 million Tuesday to improve health infrastructure. Lifelong Access will use the funding to purchase and renovate a former newspaper building for a new hub for health and wellness services in Bloomington-Normal. The grant is part of the $200 million Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant Program. Governor J.B. Pritzker says the program is an ambitious effort to rebuild and revitalize healthcare around the state.
(Undated–jc) Girl Scout cookie sales officially began on Tuesday. It's that time of the year for Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs. The national group did say two of the flavors in Smores and Toast Yays will be offered this year and then retired.
(Gilman–jc) Iroquois County authorities report finding a dead body near the Gilman McDonalds on Tuesday morning. The Iroquois County Coroner's office say they were notified of a deceased individual around 8 am on Tuesday. An Illinois State police Crime Unit was called in to help with the investigation. The name of the man was officially being withheld pending family notification
(Chicago–jc) – A new report reveals what daily commuters already know: Chicago traffic is among the worst in the country. The mobility analytics company Inrix reports that Chicago drivers lost 102 hours to congestion last year, tying the Windy City with New York City. The national average is just 43 hours. The time to make a trip into downtown Chicago from the suburbs increased by thirteen percent.
(The Center Square) – Some Illinois Republicans are calling for legislation to allow Illinoisans to recall corrupt public office holders. Illinois House Republicans Dan Ugaste, of Geneva, and David Friess,of-Red Bud, have introduced legislation that provides that local officeholders who were elected during a general or consolidated election may be recalled under the Local Government Elected Official Recall Act. Illinois State Representative Dan Ugaste says this measure is needed to protect Illinois citizens from corrupt politicians...
65th District State Representative Dan Ugaste of Geneva.
Fellow Republican David Friess says local communities feel powerless with some political office holders...
115th District State Representative David Friess of Red Bud
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced it has been chosen by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to participate in the new Transforming Maternal Health Model, which seeks to improve maternal health outcomes by implementing a more whole-person approach to care. The federal program will provide $17 million in critical funding over 10 years to help Illinois Medicaid and other awarded state Medicaid agencies develop and pilot a more comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing physical health, mental health and social needs throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.
(Rantoul–jc) Last Spring, Flyover Studios took a place on the former Chanute Air Force Base to set up shop. The group was busy during 20-24. Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer says plans for 20-25 see more projects produced in the village and Champaign County...
Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer
(The Center Square) – The debate over legislation regulating the hemp industry is revealing cracks in the Democratic Party in Illinois. Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to regulate Delta 8 and Delta 9 products and require them to meet the same standards as legal marijuana, including sales through dispensaries. A Democratic Caucus meeting on the subject this week was very contentious between those with the governor's office and the city of Chicago. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been a vocal opponent of the hemp bill, but Pritzker doesn't believe he was the one to kill the measure.
WPXN News notes...
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, January 10th from 9-10 at 185 W. Sangamon Avenue in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, January 10th from 5-7pm. Cost is $10.
The Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau will hold their Market Outlook Meeting on Tuesday, January 14th. Dinner begins at 5:30 with the meeting beginning at 6. RSVPs are required by calling 217-265-4712.
The Cissna Park Development Board will host Dueling Pianos at the Cissna Park American Legion on Saturday, February 15th. Social hour begins at 5pm, dinner at 6pm with dueling pianos from 6:30-9:30. Cost is $65 per person or $500 for a table of 8. Call Rachel Bauer at 815-954-4806 for tickets.
