(Springfield–Rantoul–jc)  –On Friday, Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity  announced 35 awards totaling 2 point three million dollars through the Innovation Voucher Program to promote small business growth and fuel transformative collaborations across Illinois. Some of the projects receiving the grants are Ball Photonics of Springfield with a 71 thousand dollar grant, a 74 thousand dollar grant to BioAerium Technologies of Chicago. 75 thousand dollar grants were awarded to Cache Energy of Champaign, Electro Magnetic Applications of Champaign, Eleuthera Photonics of Champaign and also a 64 thousand dollar grant to Earnest Agriculture of Rantoul. Urbana based Tear-D-X netted a 46 thousand dollar grant

 

(Springfield–dm)-A non profit think tank is calling on former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to return thousands of dollars in pension payments back to the state. Madigan was found guilty this week of ten counts of corruption-related charges. Since retiring in 2021, Madigan has received nearly $600,000 in pension payments. The Illinois Policy Institute notes that under state law, he is required to repay the money back to taxpayers. They have sent a letter to the General Assembly Retirement System Board of Trustees calling for pension payments to cease and for Madigan to repay prior payments. 

 

(Rantoul–jc)  It's the investment in the village as it continues to grow and prosper. Officials with the village of Rantoul have three major projects underway, as we look forward to warmer weather. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the investment is the future for Rantoul…

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

 

(Springfield–dm)-With a shortage of court reporters in Illinois courtrooms, the state is addressing the issue with a new, free training program. Currently, officials said there are 1,400 court reporters, but at least 100 positions are vacant. To boost interest in the career, the state started offering a tuition-free training program in 2024. It features guaranteed job placement and requires a two-year employment contract.

 

(Paxton-dm)-It’s Not too early to think about spring cleaning.  Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen tells us how to make your own all purpose cleaner.

   

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen.  Scott also wants to remind you that now is a good time to get your lawnmower tuned up

 

Over one million FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country next week. Cissna Park FFA Adviser Jeff Clifton talks about what dress up days they have this week.

   

Cissna Park FFA Adviser Jeff Clifton

 

 Ally Wright from Paxton Buckley Loda High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what activities they have scheduled this week.

   

PBL FFA Member Ally Wright

 

WPXN would like to thank Cissna Park Grain and Feed and Paxton Wash Barn for sponsoring FFA week. 

 

(The Center Square) – Federal authorities and state lawmakers say they will keep fighting public corruption in Illinois after the conviction of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Morris Pasqual, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, was asked if the Madigan case might be the one that would finally deliver the message to politicians who commit corrupt acts. Pasqual says enormous amounts of time and resources went into investigating and prosecuting the Madigan case. More than 10 years passed between the start of the investigation and the announcement of the verdict in court last week.

 

(Chicago–dm)-A Chicago man has pleaded guilty to charges of stealing more than $1.5 million from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by using over 1,200 cards. David Quinones, 44, pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge. He admitted that from 2018 to 2023, he gave cash and other items to SNAP recipients in exchange for access to their cards and ID numbers. Quinones then used the cards to purchase various goods at stores, resold most of the goods and kept the proceeds for himself.

 

(Champaign–dm)You might see more men than women lifting weights at the gym. Doctors want to change that. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare tells you why.

Talk to an expert like a health care provider or trainer to find the right exercise plan. O’Meara (oh-MERE-ah) also recommends looking into taking protein before and after your workout. That helps prevent muscle loss.-

 

SPRINGFIELD – More than 40 thousand dollars in grants for 26 Illinois schoolyard habitat action projects have been awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources  and the Illinois Conservation Foundation . Locally, Tri Point High School in Cullom received a 686 dollar grant for a pollinator garden program

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program supports the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on school grounds or other public places. The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation is the major sponsor of this program. 

 

With FFA week being this week, we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Rantoul FFA Student Carmen Sage talks about what is going on this week.

 

 

Rantoul FFA Student Carmen Sage

 

Over one million FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several area FFA Chapters. Cissna Park FFA Adviser Jeff Clifton talks about the activities going on this week.

 

 

Cissna Park FFA Adviser Jeff Clifton

 

WPXN would like to thank IGSE in Cissna Park and Premier Cooperative  for sponsoring FFA week. 

 

WPXN News notes…

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, February 20th 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, February 20th 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, February 21st 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 Mt Oyster lunch on Saturday, February 22nd from 12-2 pm. Cost is $15.

 

The Carter Education and Community Foundation will hold A Night of Jazz Mix and Mingling on Saturday, February 22nd at The Linden Banquet Center. Live music begins at 5:30pm. Cost is $40 per person. More information is available by calling 217-722-7173.