(Chicago–jc) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Thursday filed a lawsuit against Spark Energy L-L-C and Spark Energy Gas for allegedly using fraudulent, unfair and deceptive business practices to mislead Illinois consumers into paying millions of dollars more for electricity and gas than consumers who stayed with their default public utility. Raoul alleges that Spark, an alternative retail electric supplier and alternative gas supplier, violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act by enrolling consumers in Spark services without their knowledge or consent, increasing consumers' electricity rates by more than twenty percent without providing any advance notice and despite promising lower rates and savings, and taking advantage of older consumers.
(The Center Square) – U.S. government attorneys are presenting their rebuttal case today after the defense rested at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain. Judge John Robert "Jack" Blakey conferred with prosecutors and defense attorneys before jurors were asked to report to the courtroom this morning. McClain attorney John Mitchell suggested that the defense teams were not planning to call additional witnesses in connection with forfeiture issues if the defendants are convicted by the jury. U.S. Assistant Attorney Amar Bhachu said a key issue involved whether or not Madigan and McClain had to have their "hands on the money" in order for the government to seek forfeiture of funds.
(Rantoul–dm)-The Rantoul Exchange Club is an organization that raises money for local scholarships and the Crisis Nursery in the Rantoul area. On February 15th they will hold their first annual Night in the Tropics fundraiser. Rantoul Exchange Club Spokesperson Janet Brotherton has more information.
Rantoul Exchange Club spokesperson Janet Brotherton. For more information or to make reservations you can call 217-893-0703.
(The Center Square) – For the first time, there may be some support in providing public funding to help the Chicago Bears build a new stadium. Since the team unveiled plans for a 4 point 7 Billion stadium project on the lakefront last year, Governor . J.B. Pritzker and many Illinois lawmakers have balked at providing state taxpayer dollars to help. But Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch says that if the Bears built at the former Michael Reese hospital location just south of McCormick Place, that would change things.Michael Reese Hospital officially closed in August 2009. The streets through the campus have also been closed.
(Bloomington–jc) –The Illinois Corn Growers Association welcomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ?release of an interim rule?on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture or C-S-Av crops used as Biofuel Feedstocks.
The interim rule includes long-awaited guidelines from U-S-D-A on how fuel producers can assess, value, and integrate the carbon reduction benefits of certain farming practices into the lifecycle analysis of the fuel they produce. Once finalized, the USDA guidelines could help the U.S. Treasury Department adopt these practices in clean fuel regulations and tax credit programs.
(Danville–jc) 104th DistrictState Representative Brandun Schweizer, republican from Danville, says he has several high priorities as the 104th General Assembly has been sworn in this month. Schweizer says it starts with getting a huge deficit into a balance budget...
104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign history professor Kristin Hoganson has been awarded a 2024 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship. The fellowship is a prestigious and highly competitive award that recognizes stellar scholarly contributions in the humanities. Hoganson was one of 78 fellowships awarded.
(Washington–jc) –The Illinois National Guard is set to deploy about 140 members to Washington D.C. ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration on Monday. The force will include 100 military police soldiers based in Fort Sheridan, as well as 30 Security Forces Airmen from Springfield. Officials said a few service members from the 5th Civil Support Team, based in Bartonville, and the 126th Air Refueling Wing, based at Scott Air Force Base, will also take part.
The troops are expected to support the federal task force by conducting site security around the Capitol building
(Springfield–jc) A Springfield man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for assaulting a United States Postal Service employee. Larry French, Jr. punched the postal worker in the face last May after the carrier attempted to stop French from beating his sister on a public street. The carrier suffered injuries and will require corrective surgery.
(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new partnership with Recycle Coach to provide all Illinois residents in over 6,800 units of local government an easy-to-access recycling education platform.
Officials said use of the program will decrease inbound contamination at material recovery facilities in Illinois, increase the amount of material diverted from Illinois landfills, and prevent environmental contamination.
(Paxton–dm)-The Paxton Park District has a lot of activities going on. Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman tells us about the youth basketball season just getting under way.
Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman. All youth basketball games are played at the PBL Jr. High School
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, on Thursday, joined a coalition of attorneys general, and other democrats, in urging the United States Senate to reject the Laken Riley Act. In a letter to members of the Senate, the coalition argues the legislation would undermine public safety, throw the immigration system into chaos, and endanger immigrant communities, including those who are lawfully living in America under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals . Raoul says the proposal has due process issues and a high potential for abuse, Laken Riley was killed by an illegal resident last year. Those in favor of the legislation say it is a safety measure for American citizens.
(Springfield–jc) – A new Illinois Fair Queen will be crowned by Sunday night in Springfield. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...
(Farmer City–jc) –The 20-25 Farmer City Heritage Days Committee is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated main events for this year's festival, along with their new location. In a significant partnership with T&A Bucking Bulls and Rugged Cross Cattle Company, Heritage Days will feature a spectacular 2-Day Rodeo Event in Farmer City that promises to be a highlight of the festival. The Farmer City-Dewitt County Fairgrounds will serve as the new venue for the Heritage Days festival in 2025. The 2 day event runs from Friday May 30th to Saturday May 31st in Farmer City.
(Champaign–dm)-Calling an ambulance is stressful. But health care providers want you to know the dos and don'ts so it's a less bumpy ride. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.
A couple other misconceptions: First responders are trained to care for you in a moving vehicle. You shouldn't be afraid. And just because you arrive at the hospital by ambulance doesn't mean you go to the front of the line.
WPXN News notes...
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.
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 St. Joseph Ogden FFA auction is set for Saturday, February 1st with the dinner and silent auction at 5 with the live auction beginning at 6pm.
Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will hold their spaghetti lunch on Sunday, February 2nd from 11-1. Meal includes spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread, dessert and drink. Cost is a freewill donation.
