Springfield, IL – The Illinois General Assembly convened for its 104th biennial session on Wednesday, marking the start of a new legislative term.  Local 51st district StateSenator Chapin Rose of Mahomet says it was a day of reflection, but also the start of working on a budget deficit of nearly 4 billion dollars...

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose Republican from Mahomet

(Gilman–jc)  – Iroquois County authorities have identified an Iroquois County resident found dead in Gilman on Monday. In updating our story, Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum says  the body found near the Gilman McDonalds has been identified as 62 year old Bruce Martell, of Beaverville. Cheatum says Martell was staying at the Motel 6 in Gilman. Cheatum added that the preliminary cause of death is cold exposure due to hypothermia. No signs of foul play were reported

(Kankakee–jc)  –Illinois State Police  Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 arrested 35-year-old Joseph L. Lookingbill of Kankakee, on three counts of Possession of Child Pornography, a Class 3 Felony.   Lookingbill was arrested  at his residence in  Kankakee this week. ? A search warrant executed on electronics owned by Lookingbill revealed child exploitation material. ? Lookingbill was transported to the Kankakee County Jail for a detention hearing. No other details have been released.

(Chicago–jc)  –Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan  returned to the witness stand at his federal bribery and racketeering trial in Chicago. Madigan began direct testimony on Tuesday and testimony continued yesterday, at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. The former speaker said, "I do not recall" and "I have no direct knowledge" in response to two questions about his dealings with a ComEd contractor. Madigan said he voluntarily gave up his law license now that he is retired.

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Buckley Loda Boosters Club are planning a "Glow Bingo" Event in February.  The group has a goal of 10 thousand dollars to be raised to replace track equipment at the high school in Paxton. Other equipment needed are new hurdles and pole vault equipment. Sponsorship packages are available by contacting any member of the PBL Booster Club. The Glo Bingo event takes place on Saturday February 22nd at the Pueblo Lindo Restaurant in Paxton. Doors open at 5-30pm 

(Paxton–jc)  – Work on a proposed new subdivision continues in the city of Paxton. Paxton city leaders are meeting with officials from a developer for the next steps in the process, says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Springfield–jc) The January "lame duck" session is complete in Springfield and now the 104th General Assembly has been sworn in. What was accomplished during the "lame duck" session? The answer from 110th District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Oakland is..."Not much"...until the final hours...

110th District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Oakland

(Springfield–jc)  104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Republican from Danville, took the oath of office for the upcoming 104th General Assembly Wednesday afternoon at ceremonies on the UIS campus in Springfield. Schweizer was elected for the first time in November after being appointed to replace Mike Marron. Representative Schweizer says its a good feeling to be elected and now its time to get to work...

104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Republican from Danville. 

(The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator wants to know why the state of Illinois is sending voter registration forms to noncitizens.   State Senator. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, said he was notified by an immigrant rights advocate that when noncitizens apply for state aid, the Illinois Department of Human Services is sending packets to them that include voter registration forms already addressed to local county clerks' offices...

54th district State Senator Steve McClure, Republican from Springfield

(Onarga–jc)  – The Longview Capital Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement this week to acquire the stock of Federated Bank from Admiral Family Banks in an all-cash transaction. According to a news release, the proposed transaction will expand Longview Capital Corporation's branch footprint into Iroquois, Kankakee and Will counties and result in an increase in Longview Capital Corporation's asset base to approximately $1 billion based on financial data as of September 30th, 2024.

(Washington–jc)  The funeral for former U S President Jimmy Carter is set for today in the nation's capitol.  Illinois U-S Senator Dick Durbin says Carter was busy for decades after his term in the 1970s...

Illinois U S Senator Dick Durbin

No U S Mail today in honor of former President Jimmy Carter

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois Athletics is set to partner with Champaign-Urbana based charity Feeding Our Kids for a special community service project to help the food insecure in the community. The initiative will include several donation opportunities for fans at Illinois men's and women's basketball games as well as a community service day for Fighting Illini student-athletes and staff.  They include the men's basketball games against U-S-C on Saturday and the Maryland game on January 23rd. Two womens games will host the food drive. They are tonight's game versus Iowa and January 19th versus Michigan State.

(Dupage County–jc)  –Wildlife authorities in DuPage County euthanized a bald eagle that was found to be displaying signs of bird flu. An official from the conservation organization Chicago Bird Collision Monitors confirmed that the bald eagle was found and rescued in Oakbrook. The DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center determined that the eagle was demonstrating strong signs of avian flu and chose to euthanize it. The news comes only a day after a human bird flu death was reported in Louisiana.

(Washington–jc) The first snow storm is now complete for 20-25. U S DA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says the storm helped winter wheat, but it also caused some additional difficulties...

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

(Chicago–jc)  –The Chicago Bears say they are committed to breaking new ground on a new stadium this year. Team president Kevin Warren said the team would prefer the stadium to be located in Chicago, but did not rule out the possibility of building in Arlington Heights. Last year, the Bears unveiled plans for a new lakefront stadium but have faced challenges securing public financing.

(Springfield–jc)  88th State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur, took the oath of office for the  104th General Assembly at ceremonies on the U-I-S campus in Springfield Wednesday afternoon.  Deering says now its time to listen and learn and take a good view of budget numbers...

88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur

WPXN News notes...

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 2025 Midwest Ag Expo will take place Wednesday, January 22nd and Thursday, January 23rd at Gordyville USA. Hours on the 22nd is 8:30-4, 23rd 8:30-3.