(Undated-jm) – Several areas lost power Tuesday evening. Ameren Illinois and Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative reported power outages in Gibson City, Sibley, Anchor in eastern McLean County and Strawn in southeastern Livingston County. There's no word on what caused the outage.

(Champaign–jc)  A heating element is the suspected cause of a fire Tuesday afternoon at Marketplace Mall in Champaign. Firefighters on the scene were able to quickly put out the blaze. The mall was closed for several hours and re opened around 2-30 Tuesday afternoon. 

(Springfield–jc)  With all the funding that is going to assist those in Illinois in the country illegally, there seems to be some common sense, common ground between the State of Illinois and the incoming Trump Administration. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker says those illegals who commit crimes, should be deported...

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker.

(Ford County–jc)-- Traffic was slowed for several hours around an accident near Paxton along Interstate 57 Tuesday morning.   Emergency personnel and police have responded to a semi vs truck accident near Paxton along Interstate 57. No information on injuries was provided.

(Mahomet—jc)  With the budget process starting in Springfield and a July First deadline to reach a balanced budget, state leaders have to find 3 point 7 Billion dollars to reach that balanced budget. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet says the democrats in the majority position have wasted funds and changes are coming...

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose Republican from Mahomet

(Springfield–jc)  – Non-English speakers in Illinois will have access to free translators during their administrative hearings starting July 1. Thanks to a law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, all administrative hearing notices must include a section in multiple languages that the recipient can request assistance for the hearing.The administrative hearings may include family disputes, non-moving traffic violations, unlicensed businesses and more. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation data shows that almost 9 percentof the Illinois population is considered limited in their English proficiency.

(ColdIllinois–jc)  It's cold outside, and one of many things to avoid are pipes bursting in the house, business or farm. Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen says it's better to be prepared with a plan to keep those pipes, safe...

Paxton Hardware and Rental Store Owner Scott Allen

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will sign a measure the previous General Assembly approved to confiscate firearms from subjects of domestic violence orders of protection.  House Bill 41-44 started as a measure dealing with fire hydrants, but then changed to firearms. During lame duck session, it was gutted and replaced with what's known as Karina's Law, named after a murder victim of domestic violence where the assailant had an order of protection against him. 54th District State Senator Steve McClure, Republican from Springfield, says he opposes confiscation of guns and proposes to make an order of protection a felony rather than just a simple misdemeanor...

54th District State Senator Steve McClure, Republican from Springfield 

The bill would require police to confiscate firearms from someone who has an order of protection against them, rather than current law that requires the subject to relinquish firearms to a qualified third party. Governor J B Pritzker says he will sign the measure if it passes through both houses this Spring. 

(The Center Square) – A gun rights advocate is praising a Cook County judge's decision to side with them against the county's gun and ammunition tax.  Cook County enacted a $25 tax per firearm and 1 to 5 cent tax per round of ammunition in 2012. After legal challenges, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled against the county in 2021. The county had previously amended the measure and reinstated the tax. Guns Save Life sued and Monday a Cook County judge sided with the gun rights group.

(Washington–jc)  Have you returned those unwanted holiday gifts? University of Arkansas Extension Spokesperson Laura Hendrix  has some return ideas...

University of Arkansas Extension Spokesperson Laura Hendrix

(Chicago–jc)  –A Chinese telecommunications company pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago to conspiring to steal technology from Illinois-based Motorola Solutions. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of Illinois, Hytera Communications Corp. pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to steal trade secrets and may be fined up to $60 million under the terms of a plea agreement. According to the plea agreement, Hytera knowingly conspired to steal at least one trade secret from Motorola.

(The Center Square) – If some Democratic lawmakers have their way, sex work, more commonly know as prostitution,  in Illinois would no longer be illegal. 

A push is underway to implement the full decriminalization of sex work in Illinois and strengthen protections for sex workers in the state. Members of the Sex Worker Advisory Group, or SWAG, said a bill to be filed in the 104th General Assembly that started last week will modernize existing laws and will prioritize the safety, privacy and dignity of adults engaged in consensual sex work. If approved and enacted into law, the measure would also establish a sex workers bill of rights.

(Springfield–jc)  –The National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index rose by 3.4 points in December to 105.1, the highest reading since October 2018. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in December as small business owners feel more confident following the November election. The Illinois state director of NFIB said the General Assembly must prioritize legislation that makes it easier for small businesses to grow, hire and thrive.

(Paxton–jc)  Even with the cold winter morning today, one school group is planning its Spring Craft and Vendor Show. The Paxton Buckley Loda F-C-C-L-A group is hosting the event at Paxton Buckley Loda High School on April 5th from 9am until 2pm. The group is looking for vendors to sign up for the event. Check them out on facebook. 

WPXN News notes...

The Elliott Amvets will hold their pancake breakfast on Saturday, January 18th from 7-10 am. Cost is $8.

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.

The  2025 Hoopeston Area FFA Alumni Scholarship Auction will take place on Saturday, January 25th at the Hoopeston American Legion. Silent Auction 4-6pm, food served starting at 4:30pm. Live Auction at 6.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, January 16th from 9-930 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 the Watseka Trinity Church and 1:30-2 at the Milford post office.

The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, January 16th 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.

CU at Home will host their One Winter Night on Friday, February 7th.