(The Center Square) – According to a new report, high inflation in the Chicago area is affecting the entire state of Illinois. WalletHub found that the Windy City’s Consumer Price Index metrics changed 4.3% over the last year. The updated inflation numbers landed the Chicago metropolitan area at the top of the report’s rankings for cities with the biggest inflation problem.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois public high schools may hold more military recruitment events thanks to a bill in the state capitol. Representative Mike Coffey of Springfield filed a bill earlier this month that would amend the School Code to require school boards to invite recruiters from branches of the armed forces to present on high school campuses annually. Coffey said students should know more information on serving to make the best decision for them after high school.
(Rantoul–jc) Leaders in the village of Rantoul are making major upgrades to water and sewer, a streetscape project, and upgrades in the local Electric Department. Village board members are putting millions of dollars into the future of Rantoul. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the investment is needed as the village expects to grow by 5 to 7 thousand people in the next 5 to 10 years…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Undated-jm) – Since 2020, COVID-19 has killed more people than any other respiratory disease — but this year may change that. The CDC published new numbers, and as of late January, the flu has been the cause of more deaths nationwide. They say the flu has accounted for 1.7% of total deaths in the country. And partial CDC data from Feb. 1 indicates the number could be as high as 2%. COVID-19 has been the cause of 1.5% across the nation.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department and Champaign County Crime Stoppers are asking for help in finding the people who tried to rob a gas station last month. Officials said the attempted robbery happened at 10:36 a.m. on Jan. 4. Two men entered the Circle K on North Prospect Avenue; one of them brandished a gun and demanded merchandise from the employee. They were “denied access,” officials said, and the two left empty-handed. Both suspects were recorded on the store’s surveillance cameras. They were Black males, aged approximately mid-teens to early 20s. One had a blue blanket draped over him and was wearing a black ski mask, a black jacket and light-colored pants. The other was wearing a brown hoodie with white lettering, a black ski mask and dark pants.
(Buckley–jc) There is a new spot for breakfast and lunch in southern Iroquois County. Its Cindy’s Roadside Cafe. They opened for business yesterday morning. Co-owner Cindy Thielman says its a cafe, along route 45 in Buckley and she is Cindy…
Cindy’s Roadside Owner Cindy Thielman. Cindy and Ron Thielman are the owners of the new business. Today’s lunch special is baked pork chops, cheesy hash browns and baked beans.
(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have increased by 3.2 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching an average of $3.25 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations across the state. Prices in Illinois are now 1.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but remain 24.4 cents per gallon lower than the same time last year. The national average price of diesel has also seen a slight increase, rising by 0.8 cents over the last week to $3.632 per gallon.
(Washington–jc) There are lower forecasts for corn in South America.
World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski explains …
World Ag Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski
(Washington-jm) – Illinois congressional leaders and advocates argue the country needs a federal budget that prioritizes people over profits. Citizen Action Illinois said Congress cannot allow budget cuts to strip away vital services in order to give tax breaks to billionaires and corporations. Over 3 million Illinoisans rely on Medicaid for healthcare, but Republican plans to slash federal matching funds could force Illinois to generate an extra $3 billion to maintain current coverage. U-S Senator Dick Durbin and other congressional leaders said the Trump administration cuts could risk public health, viability of rural hospitals, and stability of local healthcare jobs. They also stressed that insurance premiums could skyrocket without the Affordable Care Act in place.
(The Center Square) – Migration data from a moving company shows Illinois is near the top of the list for states with the most outbound moves. The 2024 North American Van Lines Annual Migration Report shows Illinois was second in the country for outbound moves behind only California. In Illinois, 60% of moves were outbound while 40% were inbound. It is the first time in 10 years Illinois didn’t lead the country in outbound moves.
(Paxton–dm)-February is Heart Month, and you can help save lives by donating blood. Impact Life Coordinator Kevin Hanson tells us about your chance to donate in Paxton this Saturday.
Impact Life Coordinator Kevin Hanson. Kevin also tells us that because of the inclement weather, donations are down.
(Momence-jm) – The fire at a chocolate factory in Momence last week is estimated to have caused $20 million in damage. The fire happened at Gilster-Mary Lee factory which employed 80 employees. The 40,000 square foot building was ruled a total loss. No one was injured. The Momence site produces hot chocolate mixes; chocolate, caramel and strawberry-flavored syrup. A cause has not yet been determined.
(Urbana-jm) – Three teenagers are under arrest after Urbana Police found them with a gun and drugs. Officials posted on the Urbana Police Department Facebook page that the arrests happened in the area of Silver and Vawter Streets. Officers on a “proactive patrol” saw a traffic violation and pulled the vehicle over. As they investigated, the officers found 39 grams of marijuana and a gun, with both a defaced serial number and an extended magazine. There were three people inside the car — all male and ranging between 16 and 19 years old. They were arrested for “various offenses,” officials said. They did not provide names or specific offenses.
(Rantoul–dm)-The Carter Education and Community Foundation in Rantoul is sponsoring a night of Jazz Mix this Saturday February 22 at the Linden Center. Foundation Founder Tanya Carter has more information.
Foundation Founder Tanya Carter. Tickets are $40 and music starts at 5:30
(Champaign-jm) – An annual staple in Champaign-Urbana is coming back this weekend: the IHSA Wrestling Individual State Championships. The championships have been held at State Farm Center annually since 1967, and this year’s edition is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Over 650 wrestlers are expected to come from 250 high schools across the state, with an estimated total attendance of 36,000 across the three-day event. Aside from the pride and bragging rights that the championships bring for young wrestlers, they also bring millions in economic impact to the area. Experience Champaign-Urbana estimates that $5.5 million will be generated for local hotels and businesses.
Over one million FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Georgia Busboom from Rantoul High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what goes on today.
Rantoul FFA member Georgia Busboom
Trent Schmid from Cissna Park High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.
Cissna Park FFA Member Trent Schmid
Alex Barnard from GCMS High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.
GCMS FFA Member Alex Barnard
WPXN would like to thank Heritage FS, Heiser Insurance Agents Joe Weir and Valarie Rogers in Fisher, Edge Insurance and Abbe Insurance in Buckley, and J & L Auto Care in Paxton for sponsoring National 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 GCMS Lions Club will hold their pancake day on Sunday, February 23rd from 8-12:45 at the GCMS Elementary School cafeteria. Cost is $10.50 for adults, $5.50 for kids 6-12. Kids under 6 are free.
The University of Illinois Extension will put on an Integrated Water Management Workshop for Farmers and Landowners Wednesday, February 26th from 9-4 and Thursday, February 27th from 9-3:30 at Farm Credit Illinois in Mahomet. Cost is $15. Registration is due by February 19th and can be made by calling 217-300-0576.
