(Springfield–jc)  A coalition of advocates is calling for more state funding for homelessness prevention services.  Capitol News Illinois reports the Illinois Shelter Alliance sent a letter to Governor JB Pritzker seeking a $100 million dollar funding increase.  That includes $40 million dollars for Emergency and Transitional Housing, as well as money for outreach, prevention and other initiatives. 

Governor JB Pritzker says protecting the most vulnerable Illinoisans is important. But fulfilling funding requests will be challenging this year with the state facing a $3 billion-dollar budget deficit.  His budget address is scheduled for Feb. 19.

CHICAGO - The 2025 tax season is quickly approaching, and the Illinois Department of Revenue  announced  on Wednesday, it will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on Monday, January 27, the same date the Internal Revenue Service  begins accepting federal income tax returns. Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File program this year. 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Engineers have found a way to eliminate the fluid flow "dead zones" that plague the types of electrodes used for battery-based seawater desalination. The new technique uses a physics-based tapered flow channel design within electrodes that moves fluids quickly and efficiently, potentially requiring less energy than reverse-osmosis techniques currently require. Technical hurdles have prevented the wide-scale implementation of desalination technology. The most-used method, reverse osmosis, pushes water through a membrane that filters out the salt and is costly and energy-intensive. By contrast, the battery method uses electricity to draw charged salt ions out of the water. Still, it also requires energy to help push the water through electrodes that contain tiny, nonuniform pore spaces.

(Elliott-jm) – Elliott first responders were called to a car versus deer accident Wednesday evening. It happened on Route 9 near 1400 east just before 6pm. No injuries were reported.

(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.   54th District State Senator Steve McClure, Republican from Springfield, says he opposes confiscation of guns and says he proposed a bill that would make  a violation of an order of protection a felony rather than just a simple misdemeanor...

54th District State Senator Steve McClure, Republican from Springfield 

That bill did not move in the Illinois Senate. The bill that could go to the floor this Spring would take away guns under the misdemeanor violation.

(Washington–jc)  – What did the Agriculture Department forecast regarding both domestic and global wheat supply and demand estimates for this month? Rod Bain reports..,

(Paxton–jc)  –  The Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club is set for a "glo bingo" event in February to raise money for new track equipment for the Paxton Buckley Loda School system. Paxton Buckley Loda Booster Club President Nicole Miller says it is a fun, high-energy event...

Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club President Nicole Miller

(Watseka–jc)  –The Iroquois County Administrative Center and Iroquois County Courthouse closed for a time on Wednesday afternoon. The reason was a major water  main break in the City of Watseka near Mulberry and 10th Street.  Both buildings are expected to open this morning to resume normal operations.

(Cullum-dg)-School will resume as normal today for students in the Tri-Point School district after a bomb threat at the high school was deemed uncredible. Superintendent Jay Bennett said a note was brought to his attention Tuesday evening that a student had a bomb. Administration cooperated with Livingston and Ford County deputies in the investigation. The investigation included an entire sweep of the building with the assistance of the University of Illinois canine unit. 

(Chicago–jm)  –Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining a lawsuit against Deere and Company, arguing the agricultural equipment manufacturer's use of unfair practices has driven up equipment repair costs for farmers while also depriving farmers of the ability to make timely repairs on critical farming equipment, including tractors. In the lawsuit, Raoul and the coalition seek to order the company to make available to owners of Deere's equipment access to its fully functional Service ADVISOR repair tool and any other repair resources available to authorized dealers.

(Urbana-jm) – The Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is watching the University of Illinois, hoping they will amend recent changes to their rules on expressive activities in order to facilitate free speech on campus. The ACLU of Illinois has criticized the new policies for students' expression of speech like limiting noise, handheld signs and chalk art as a "punitive minefield."According to WCIA 3, in a letter sent out Wednesday to University officials, including UI President Tim Killeen, UIUC chancellor Robert Jones and UIUC provost and for academic affairs John Coleman, the organization warned the leaders against discipline for students protesting.

(Springfield–jc)  The budget deficit for the next fiscal year sitting at over 3 point 3 Billion Dollars, what do state leaders do to get to a required balanced budget. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet says Democrats control both houses and the governor's office and raised 1 Billion dollars in new taxes last year and that could be the same for Illinois businesses and residents this year...

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet

(Urbana-jm) – A new lifesaving resource is hitting the streets of Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities. Carle Health rolled out its new Critical Care Transport ambulance. The new rig provides advanced care for critically ill or injured patients during transport and is six feet longer than a traditional ambulance. The state-of-the-art ambulance is equipment and offers enough space to safely transport up to two patients simultaneously. Along with a highly trained medical team—including critically trained nurses, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians.

(Rantoul–dm)The Community Service Center in Rantoul is in the business of helping people in need. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford tells us how many people they were able to help this past holiday season.

Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford.

(Chicago–jc)  – Illinois State Police officials investigated a traffic crash that occurred on Interstate 55 involving two ISP troopers who were handling a crash when their squad cars were struck by a driver who failed to move over. On Tuesday morning two ISP troopers were inside of their squad cars, on the left shoulder, handling a crash with their emergency lights activated on Interstate 55 northbound just south of Harlem Avenue. A Honda Accord failed to move over and struck the rear of one parked squad and then sideswiped the second squad. ? One trooper and their canine partner reported minor injuries. ? The driver of the Honda, was charged with driving Too Fast for Conditions and a Scott's Law violation.In 2025, ISP has already suffered two Move Over Law-related crashes.

(St Louis–jc)  – The American Soybean Association is accepting applications for the Valent and A-S-A Ag Voices of the Future program, which will be held July 14-17 in conjunction with other events in the nation's Capital.. The Ag Voices of the Future program is for students who are passionate about agriculture and interested in expanding their understanding of key agricultural policy issues, the critical role of advocacy, and the wide array of career opportunities in agricultural policy. Class size is limited, and students must be at least 18 years old on or by July 14 to apply. More information is found on the American Soybean Association website and facebook pages.

WPXN News notes...

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.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, January 17th from 9-930 across from the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at the corner of Main and Melvin Streets in Thawville, 11-11:30 across from Melvin Convenient, 12:15-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, 1-1:30 at the Elliott village hall and 2-2:30 at the north side of the Paxton fire station.

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.