(Springfield-jm) – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is urging state residents to review fire escape plans and safety practices amid the recent deadly home fires. Since February 14, there have been eight deadly fires, claiming the lives of 10 people across the state. So far in 2025, Illinois has had 16 fatal fires, resulting in 19 fire related deaths. Space heaters were the type of heating equipment responsible for the largest shares of losses in home heating equipment fires, accounting for one-third of the fires, but nearly nine out of 10 deaths and four out of five of the injuries in home fires were caused by heating equipment.

 

(Springfield–jc)  More reaction from area lawmakers concerning Illinois Governor  J B Pritzker’s budget proposal this week. 110 th district State Representative Chris Miller, Republican  of Oakland says some things were good, but not the political rhetoric…

 

110th District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Oakland

 

(Kankakee-jm) – Kankakee County Circuit Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott has marked the calendar for September 8 for Xandria Harris to stand trial for the murder of a Bradley police Sgt Marlene Rittmanic and the wounding of her partner.  The 29-year-old Harris is charged with murder and endangering the life of a child for the December 2021 incident in Bradley when Sgt. Rittmanic and Officer Tyler Bailey answered a call about barking dogs in a vehicle.  The officers were ambushed in the motel.  Rittmanic was killed, Bailey seriously wounded and forced into retirement. Harris' co-defendant, Darius Sullivan, has been convicted and is serving a mandatory life sentence for the murder of Rittmanic and another 80 years for shooting Bailey.

 

(Rantoul–dm)-Summer is a few months away, but the Rantoul School District is already making plans for summer projects.  Rantoul Superintendent Scott Amerio tells us what the planned projects are

   

Rantoul School District Superintendent Scott Amerio.

 

(Paxton–dm)-The Ford County Public Building Commission is scheduled to meet  this morning at 9:00am in the small courtroom in the courthouse. Items to be discussed include taking action on the building at 235 N. Taft Street, getting the property surveyed, advertising for sealed bids and setting a date for bid packets to be picked up and a date for the bids to be opened.  Also there will be discussion on painting of jail cells and replacement of jail doors

 

(Buckley–jc)   Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday is March 9th at St John’s Church in Buckley.  Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler will be the guest speaker. St Johns Church Spokesperson Larry Abbe says the event has been in the planning stages since July 20-23…

   

St John's Lutheran Church Buckley Spokesperson Larry Abbe. More information is found by contacting Abbe or the church in Buckley.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Legislation is advancing in Springfield that would allow agriculture courses to qualify for vocational education requirements for high school students. 48th District State Senator, Democrat Doris Turner is sponsoring the bill and says students should be able to use their agricultural studies to fulfill graduation requirements. The measure advanced out of committee and is headed to the Senate floor for consideration.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Gov. JB Pritzker hopes lawmakers will pass a plan this spring to lower prescription drug prices. His proposal could prevent pharmacy benefit managers from inflating medication costs by banning spread pricing. Pritzker also suggested that lawmakers should block pharmacy benefit managers from using arbitrary drug classifications that limit access and charge consumers more. His bill would ban PBMs from forcing consumers to use large scale pharmacies as well. The governor said Illinois should set new transparency measures and penalize pharmacy benefit managers when they fail to comply. His legislation could also increase resources for Illinois pharmacies in rural and underserved areas.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The deadline for Real IDs is right around the corner. But Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says there’s still confusion on what those IDs are used for.. Capitol News Illinois reports starting May 7th you’ll need a Real ID to fly in the U-S or visit a federal facility. A passport also works for getting on flights. A Real ID is signified by a gold star in the upper right corner of the ID card. Giannoulias says you don’t need a Real ID for identification, proof of citizenship or to drive a car…

 

 

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Real ID appointments can be made online at il sos dot gov and new appointments are added daily.

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Officials in Champaign County are trying to teach people how to properly store firearms through a gun safety initiative. In September, Champaign County received more than $150,000 from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The program’s goal is proper gun storage and theft prevention. So far, they’ve given out over 200 safes to people across the county and are struggling to keep them in stock.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Governor J-B Pritzker is proposing a fifty-five point two billion dollar budget for fiscal year 26, a two billion dollar increase over the current year’s spending plan. Last November, the state's budget and accounting office said there was a shortfall of 3 point 2 Billion Dollars. The governor said yesterday that the shortfall has closed some. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon says there is still a 3 point 2 Billion dollar budget shortfall…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

 

 (The Center Square) – The McLean County State's Attorney and the Illinois State Police have declined a request to investigate an “election interference” complaint.

Dean Fletcher, an Illinois resident, lodged a complaint with McLean County State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds’ office after several McLean County school districts featured a website that urged voters to “approve” a sales tax referendum on their taxpayer-funded webpages.In 2017, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a state’s attorney’s investigative powers are restricted, as their role is primarily to assist law enforcement rather than conduct independent investigations

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The new Culver's restaurant in the village of Rantoul is coming soon. Workers on site continue to build the new facility along Route 136 near the Rantoul Sports Complex. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the timeline for an opening is Spring, as construction moves to the next stage…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

 

(Bloomington–jc)  The Illinois Soybean Board  is seeking farmers for two Illinois director positions.  Eligible soybean producers must submit an application and "Agreement to Serve" to the Illinois Soybean Association by March 7. At-Large Directors are also needed. Elections are set for July. 

 

(Paxton–dm)-If you have bird feeders, where you put them can be just as important as what you feed them.  Paxton Hardware And Rental owner Scott Allen has more.

 

 

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen.  You can hear more from Scott Saturday mornings at 7:30 on Scott’s Tips for Success.

 

 

Over one million FFA students has been participating in National FFA Week across the country. We were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters.

Karley Putnam from PBL High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

Trent Schmid from Cissna Park High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

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Jacob Fox from Rantoul High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

Kate McCall from GCMS ‘s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

Londyn Roderick and Keirgan Young from GCMS High School’s FFA Chapter talk about their upcoming auction.

 

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today 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 Buckley Sportsman Club will hold their annual All you can eat Fish Fry at the Buckley American Legion on Friday from 4:30-7pm. Cost is $13 for adults 13 and over. $7 for kids 12 and under.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their Mt Oyster lunch on Saturday from 12-2 pm. Cost is $15.

 

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

 

The PBL Athletic Boosters will host a Glow Bingo at the Pueblo Lindo in Paxton on Saturday. Doors open at 5:30 with Bingo beginning at 7. 

 

The Gibson City Lions Club will hold their pancake day on Sunday 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.