WASHINGTON – Monday, Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin U.S. Senator James Lankford, Republican from Oklahoma introduced the bipartisan Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act, which would support financially vulnerable rural hospitals facing risk of closure. The legislation would update Medicare’s “Critical Access Hospital” designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, affordable health care services. Small and rural hospitals are the backbone of their communities, and often the largest employers, contributing nearly $5 billion in direct spending on payroll, goods, and services in Illinois. Yet more than 135 rural hospitals have closed nationwide in the past dozen years, an estimated 50 percent of rural hospitals ran operating losses last year, and more than 400 hospitals are facing closure risk. Under C-A-H status, hospitals are paid a higher Medicare rate, as long as they have fewer than 25 inpatient beds; are located 35 miles from other hospitals
(Washington-jm) – President Donald Trump is expected to pardon Democratic former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to a person familiar with his plans. Trump commuted Blagojevich's 14-year sentence for political corruption charges during his first term according to the person, who was not authorized to discuss the planned pardon publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Blagojevich, who appeared on Trump's reality TV show "Celebrity Apprentice," was convicted in 2011. He served eight years before Trump, a Republican, cut short his term. Blagojevich was convicted on charges that included seeking to sell an appointment to then-President Barack Obama's old Senate seat and trying to shake down a children's hospital.
(Watseka–dm)-The consolidated election is April 1. If you’re not registered or if you have moved, you need to contact the County Clerk. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has more information.
(Rural Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City first responders were called to an accident late Monday afternoon. It happened just after 5:30 pm at 100 north 300 east. One person had to be extricated from the vehicle.
(Rantoul–jc) – The downtown area of Rantoul is currently under construction, and waiting for warmer days for the 20-25 Streetscape project to begin. Village leaders are moving forward with the 5 million dollar plus project says Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Hoopeston man was arrested for aggravated discharge of a firearm and domestic battery over the weekend. 57-year-old Charles Landers was arrested by police for two counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm; Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon; and Aggravated Domestic Battery, according to police following an incident at a home on West Lincoln Street.
(Paxton–jc) The city of Paxton is a partner with the Experience Champaign-Urbana group. Local leaders continue to look at ways to reap the benefits of the alliance from marketing in the groups magazine, partnering with promotions and more. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says trying to reach the motoring public into Paxton is key for continued success in the city…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Urbana–jc) –The Champaign County Democratic Central Committee is accepting applications for the upcoming Champaign County Treasurer-/Collector vacancy. Current County Treasurer-/Collector Cassandra “CJ” Johnson has announced she will retire at the end of the month. The individual nominated to fill the vacancy will serve the remainder of Treasurer Johnson’s current term and will be eligible to run for a full term in 2026. Applications will be accepted until midnight on Sunday, March 2nd. More information about the Treasurer/Collector’s Office can be found on line.
(Washington-jm) – A group of Democrat Attorney Generals, including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is angling their support for federal workers against an order from President Donald Trump they view as a violation of the law. Last month, the Trump administration gave thousands of federal employees across the nation and in different departments the option to accept “buyouts”: if they resign, they will be paid until Sept. 30 despite not showing up to work. Employees only had a week to decide to stay or leave. More than 65,000 federal employees decided to take the offer and chose to resign, according to the White House.
(Rantoul–jc) Some in Rantoul have been having issues with telephone calls. Rantoul Village leaders let community members know about the issues through facebook. Metcad is the back up for emergency calls. That number is 217-333-8911.
(Washington-jm) – A group of Democratic attorney generals, including Illinois’ Kwame Raoul, is challenging President Donald Trump over his decision to slash funding for medical research across the country. The Trump administration announced Friday that the National Institutes of Health is now implementing a standard indirect rate of 15% across all grants they fund. This means only 15% of a given award can go towards the facilities and administration needed to carry out the grants. They point out Congress has included language in appropriations law that forbid NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services from making universal changes to indirect cost reimbursements.
(The Center Square) – Gun confiscation from subjects of domestic orders of protection is now the law of the land in Illinois. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 4144 Monday in Chicago. Legislators approved the measure, which originally started out as a bill dealing with fire hydrants, during the 103rd General Assembly’s lame duck session in January. Karina’s Law is named after Karina Gonzalez, who was shot and killed by her husband in 2023, despite there being an order of protection. State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, said victims have the right to leave their abuser and file domestic orders of protection.
State Rep Maura Hirschauer D-Batavia. Illinois State Rifle Association’s Ed Sullivan said convicted domestic abusers shouldn’t have access to guns, but Karina’s Law does away with an accused person’s due process rights.
Illinois State Rifle Association spokesperson Ed Sullivan
(Urbana-jm) – Urbana Police and Champaign County Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help in finding the people who stole a TV from Urbana’s Meijer last month. Officials said the theft happened on January 18 just before 8 p.m. Three men entered the store, walked to the electronics section and picked out a 50-inch TV. Two of the men distracted an employee while the third walked out the store with the $200 TV. The suspects were all described as being Black men between the ages of 18 and 25. Suspect 1 — a gray hoodie, black jeans and black shoes
Suspect 2 — a blue Champion hoodie, black jeans, black shoes and a medical mask
Suspect 3 — a black puffy jacket gray “distressed” jeans, black shoes and a medical mask
(Paxton–jc) Spring is coming and road repair and repaving is on the minds of local officials in area towns and cities. For the city of Paxton, council members are expected to look at possibilities for use of state funds and motor tax fuel funds when they meet tonight. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says over 400 thousand dollars is earmarked for streets in Paxton this year…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold, Paxton City leaders are also expected to approve its annual contract with M-C-S of Gibson City when they meet tonight. Local leaders will discuss approving a sponsorship of First Responders Night, which is an event set for the Cadillac on Saturday March 15th and funding for the southeast drainage project is also on the agenda. The Paxton City Council meets at 7 on the second floor of city hall.
(Rantoul–dm)-The Rantoul High School is undergoing some expansion projects in the main gym and the east wing. Rantoul School District Superintendent Scott Amerio tells us about the east wing expansion and the estimated completion date.
Rantoul School Superintendent Scott Amerio
(Urbana-jm) – Several people will soon be out of a job after a soybean research team based in the Midwest is forced to close. According to a social media post from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Professor Peter Goldsmith, The Soybean Innovation Lab is set to close April 15th. Goldsmith said the closure was due to all funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development being ceased. The lab has more than 100 soybean experts from 24 countries.
