(The Center Square) – Chicago is expected to be ground zero for President Donald Trump's deportation strategy. After taking the oath of office Monday, Trump said securing the border and deporting illegal immigrants will be paramount. President
Trump said all illegal entry will immediately be halted.
In a statement about his "America First Priorities," the president's office said Trump is suspending refugee resettlement and having the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, engage in border security efforts.
(Kankakee–dm)- January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. WPXN's Dan Mushrush has more information.
(The Center Square) – Parents Defending Education filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education accusing Community Unit School District 308 in Oswego, of race-based discrimination. Caroline Moore, vice president of P-D-E, said the district allows only some students to participate in an affinity group called Black Student Alliance Buddies.Moore said PDE found out about the alleged discrimination from a parent on social media.
The BSA Buddies program allows 4th grade and 5th grade students who identify as Black, biracial or African American to attend.
(The Center Square) – Jurors are expected to receive a long list of instructions from the judge at former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's bribery and racketeering trial in Chicago. Judge John Robert "Jack" Blakey said he planned to work on jury instructions over the weekend before meeting with prosecutors and defense attorneys. With jurors not scheduled to return until Wednesday, the judge told attorneys he would review the instructions with them Tuesday afternoon at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.
(Urbana–jc) Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer is releasing the names of two Illinois women who have died after a motor vehicle crash that occurred on Sunday. 20 year old Katherine J. Abraham was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital early Sunday morning. 21-year-old Chloe Polzin from Deerfield was another passenger who was fatally injured.
The death continues to be under investigation by the Urbana Police Department and the Champaign County Coroner's Office.
(Springfield—jc) The high priorities are there for those in state government in Illinois. The State's budget office is showing a 3 point 7 Billion dollar shortfall in a new budget that needs to be balanced by July First. 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer of Danville says he also sees the budget as the number one issue and problem, but is also looking for legislation to help first responders and fire departments in the state...
104th District State Representative Republican Brandun Schweitzer of Danville.
(Gilman–jc) Iroquois West school leaders are expected to give its o-k to a field trip and authorize a purchase of a driver's Ed vehicle when they meet in monthly session on Tuesday night. A reading of board policies and certifying staff lists is also on the agenda. The Iroquois West School board meets at 7pm Tuesday in the High School BoardRoom in Gilman
(Paxton—dm)-With the cold weather upon us you might be in need of a warm place to get out of the cold. Ford County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Terry Whitebird tells us where the warming centers are in Ford County.
Ford County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Terry Whitebird. Paxton's warming center is located at the Paxton Emergency Response Service located at 134 West State Street in Paxton. If you need assistance you can call 217-379-9415 or 217-781-1898. Warming Centers in Champaign Vermilion and Iroquois County are also available to the general public.
(The Center Square) – With the U.S. Congress in Republican control and the new Trump administration in power, the possibility of a national concealed carry reciprocity law is increasing. Some are speculating how that will impact Illinois.
Every state in the nation has some sort of concealed carry law. The requirements vary state by state. Some allow concealed carry without a permit. Other states like Illinois require a permit. Illinois was the last state in the nation to implement a law allowing carrying concealed firearms outside the home in 2013. U.S. Lawshield's Kirk Evans said national concealed carry reciprocity would be similar to how states recognize driver's licenses from other states.
(The Center Square) – The 2025 presidential inauguration of Donald Trump has set a new chapter in history marked by a series of historic milestones. Trump, taking the oath of office as the 47th president, became the first leader since the first Democrat elected after the Civil War in 1885, the 22nd and 24th President, Grover Cleveland, to serve non-consecutive terms. Trump, who previously held office from 2017 until 2021, returns to office, representing a rare occurrence in U.S. history. Aside from this, the inauguration coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day is another first. At 78 years old, Trump also became the oldest president inaugurated, surpassing the record set by Joe Biden in 2021.
(Emmington–jc) It's not a revenue problem for Illinois, it is a spending problem. Those are the words from 106th District State Representative, republican, Jason Bunting of Emmington...
106th District State Representative, Republican Jason Bunting of Emmington
(Gibson City–jc) In updated our story from Monday, Several area fire departments were called to a house fire in Gibson City yesterday today. The call came around 3 Monday morning to a home in the 300 block of North Lott Boulevard. The house is a complete loss and at least one resident was taken to the hospital. Officials from the State's Fire Marshal's office are expected to be on site today. A Go Fund Me account has been set up for the Lathem Family. Fire departments from Gibson City, Elliott, Sibley, Roberts, Melvin and Paxton were called in to assist.
(Gifford–jc) It's free to attend and free parking too this week at the 30th annual Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville USA near Gifford. Midwest Ag Expo Manager Jami Applegate says the show starts Wednesday morning and runs through Thursday afternoon...
Midwest Ag Expo Manager Jami Applegate. WPXN will be broadcasting live at the event on Wednesday morning starting at 9am.
(Rantoul–jc) Authorities are reporting a vehicle accident in the village of Rantoul yesterday. The crash happened at Tanner and Liberty Streets in Rantoul and one vehicle ended up crashing into a porch area of a nearby home. No word on injuries or the extent of any damages was provided. WPXN news will update this story as information is released.
(Gibson City–jc) All are advised to check with the schools on schedules and extracurricular activities today and through the next several days with the extreme cold temperatures. Wind Chills of Minus 20 degrees occurred overnight into this morning. Most schools are on e-learning or closed today. Most extracurricular activities will take place later today. Check with your school for official schedules.
(Paxton–dm)- It's cold and January, but it is not too early to think about Father's Day. The Paxton Park District is Sponsoring a bus to go see a CUBS game at Wrigley Field. Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman has more information.
Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman
WPXN News notes...
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 Elliott Amvets will hold their Mountain Oyster lunch on Saturday, January 25th from 12-2pm. Cost is $15.
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.
CU at Home will host their One Winter Night on Friday, February 7th.
