(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Republican leaders filed a lawsuit before the Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday claiming the current House district map disenfranchises voters. Democratic lawmakers approved the current House, Senate and congressional maps during the redistricting process in 2021. However, Republicans argue the current house districts are not compact and violate the free and equal elections clause of the Illinois constitution. House GOP leaders hope the Illinois Supreme Court will invalidate the House map and appoint a special master to draw an independent map.
(Sangamon County-jm) – The former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey will remain in jail as the Illinois Supreme Court considers an appeal regarding his pretrial detention. The State's Attorney is appealing an appellate court ruling that the pretrial detention of Sean Grayson violates the SAFE-T Act. Grayson, who has been charged with first-degree murder, pleaded not guilty.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is investing in more early childhood education seating. It's part of Governor J-B Pritzker's Smart Start initiative. Governor Pritzker says there is a need for preschool in the state...
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.
(Urbana-jm) – A student at the University of Illinois is safe after he was reported missing early Tuesday morning. The University of Illinois Police Department said 20-year-old Krystian Kozieja is safe after he was last seen around 2 am Tuesday near First and Chalmers. Kozieja was found safe several hours later.
(Paxton–jc) Paxton City Leaders have taken the proper steps to move forward with motor fuel tax dollars and other state dollars for street work in the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the council approved him to put the paperwork into motion with the Illinois State Department of Transportation...
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Chicago–jc) –Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city will continue to protect civil and human rights, a day after the mayor received a letter from Washington, D.C., stating, in summary, that Chicago and other sanctuary cities like it are being investigated by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. City officials said Tuesday that more than 100 people in the city of Chicago have been taken into federal custody during immigration raids over the past several days.
(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul elementary school is getting a new addition worth more than five million dollars, and they've announced when it will be finished. Pleasant Acres is adding a pre-k area which will be separate from the elementary kids. The program is currently based out of First United Methodist Church. The construction is projected to be done by late March, administration will move in May and students will start in August.
(Washington–jc) – What are the data points that go into the monthly food price outlook. In the second of a two day series, we get the explanation from U S D A Economist Megan Sweitzer ...
U S D A Economist Megan Sweitzer. One category that is up sharply is eggs. More on that subject on news later today.
(Champaign–jc) Experience C-U is in the midst of their Restaurant Week promotion. Restaurants from around the area are participating with the civic and marketing group. There are two restaurants in Paxton featured in restaurant week. They are Market Street Grill and La Hacienda Cantina...both in downtown Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says Market Street has a delicious special for restaurant week...
Pepper says there is also a special price on the "famous" Paxton punch...
Paxton MainStreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Springfield-jm) – Tuesday a coalition of Black representatives and organizations combined forces in support of a proposed plan that would bring reparations to the descendants of chattel slavery. If companies would like a state contract in Illinois, they would have to declare if their corporation benefited from chattel slavery. If they did, the company would then have to pay reparations under the new bill. State Representative Carol Ammons of Urbana is co-sponsoring the legislation.
(Urbana–jc) It's still winter, but one local dealership helped unveil its company's new combine at the Midwest Ag Expo. Birkey's Farm Store Spokesperson John Johnson talks about the new 20-25 Case I–H F-11 combine...
Birkey's Farm Store Spokesperson John Johnson. Birkey's Farm Stores has 17 locations around the area.
(Undated-jm) – A utility watchdog said they will challenge a $134 million gas rate hike, proposed by Ameren Illinois. The Citizens Utility Board said that Ameren has already earned $111 million in gas rate hikes since 2021. And, the new proposal would increase key delivery charges by more than 20 percent. The group said that the proposed hike would increase the customer charge by about 24%, to $25.16 per month, and the per therm distribution charge by about 28% to 56.207 cents per therm. In response to the proposed hikes, they are calling on the Illinois Commerce Commission to reduce the utility's spending and to consider the environmental impact that gas has on the environment.
(Lake County–jc) –The Lake County coroner is blasting a Waukegan hospital after a woman was found unresponsive on the roof.Chelsea Adolphus, 28, was found on the roof of the Vista Medical Center Thursday and was pronounced dead later that day of hypothermia.Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek, who once worked at the hospital, said she has had plenty of safety concerns with the facility over the years. She has ordered the hospital to preserve all evidence and wants the Illinois Department of Public Health to get involved as well.
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board announced $6.5 million is available in competitive funding for the Officer Recruitment and Retention Grant. The grant aims to increase the quantity and quality of police officer recruitment programs across the state while also offering incentives to support officer retention. Units of local government, public institutions of higher education, and qualified nonprofit entities may apply for the funding.
(Champaign–jc) Experience C-U is in the midst of their Restaurant Week promotion. Restaurants from around the area are participating with the civic and marketing group. There are two restaurants in Paxton featured in restaurant week. They are Market Street Grill and La Hacienda Cantina...both in downtown Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says La Hacienda is owned by Renae and Susana Munoz...
Pepper says there are specials to try for lunch and dinner at La Hacienda Cantina for "restaurant week"...
Paxton MainStreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Paxton–jc) – They started with 260 tickets for the 20-25 Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club "Glo Bingo" event. The event is set for Saturday February 22nd at the Pueblo Lindo Banquet Center in the city. Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club President Nicole Miller says event sponsorships are available...
Paxton Buckley Loda Sports Booster Club President Nicole Miller. They have around 140 tickets left for the event. Proceeds go to track equipment for the Paxton Buckley Loda Schools.
WPXN News Notes...
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.
The 36th Annual PBL FFA Farm Toy Show will take place on Saturday, February 8th from 9-2:30 at PBL High School. The featured tractor is Oliver 1800 Diesel.
CU at Home will host their One Winter Night on Friday, February 7th.
Grace Baptist Church in Paxton will hold their Men's Rally on Saturday, February 8th from 8:30-4:30 pm.
Living Word Church will hold a craft and vendor show for their summer camp fundraiser on Saturday, February 8th from 9-3 at The Cadillac in Paxton. For more information about the show or to reserve your booth space call Melanie Bauer at 217-379-7852.
