(Belleville–jc)--A 31-year-old man faces charges after attacking investigators during a well-being check in Belleville.  According to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the attack happened during a well-being check of a child at the residence. While at the residence, police say the man attacked officers and an investigator from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  One business that has chosen Rantoul for an expansion is the G-F-L Company. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the waste management and recycling company that serves the area…

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

 

(St Joseph–jc)  – A Champaign County author and University of Illinois employee has written a book about the state university. Author Kent  Brown lived in St. Joseph from 2000 until 2020 while working at the University of Illinois, Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, where he led the U of I Sports Information Office as an Associate Athletics Director. After retirement, Brown wrote “100 Things Illinois Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die” while drawing upon his 36 years of collegiate athletics experience and more than 50 years as a Fighting Illini fan. Monday April 14th at 6pm at the St Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, Brown will host an event on his career and also talk about the new book. The book is currently available on Amazon. 

 

(USDA–dm)-A USDA website has available information for both ag producers and tax experts on various aspects of return preparation with a farm focus. Rod Bain has the story.

   

(gilman–jc)  Members of the Iroquois West school board have a special meeting set up for Tuesday at the high school in Gilman. On the agenda is a closed session concerning a new contract with the teachers union in the district. Action could be taken after a closed session of the school board. The Iroquois West School Board meeting comes to order at 7pm on Tuesday at the high school in Gilman

 

(Springfield–jc)  The several billion dollar increase in Illinois Governor J B Pritzker's budget,  a Republican Senator from Morris says Illinois lacks behind in many important categories. Reaction from 38th District State Senator Sue Rezin…

38th District State Senator, Republican,  Sue Rezin of Morris

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois State Fire Marshal is urging Illinois residents to review and practice their fire escape plans while testing and inspecting smoke alarms following a wave of recent deadly home fires. Since February 14th, there have been eight deadly fires claiming the lives of 10 people in Illinois. So far in 2025, Illinois has seen 16 fatal fires resulting in 19 fire related fatalities. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths.

 

(Champaign-jm) --  After a year of concern from residents and local lawmakers, the United States Postal Service announced that local mail processing operations will stay in Champaign. A previous plan announced last year would have moved local processing to Chicago, meaning that mail sent from one Champaign address to another would have had to travel north before arriving back in Champaign. The newly proposed strategy will focus on boosting services at the Champaign facility to handle package mailing and shipping, letters, and flats, as well as express services and accept bulk and permit mail, further improving its delivery services.

 

(Springfield–jc)  -The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for instructors for 2025 summer fishing clinics at locations throughout Illinois for the department’s Urban Fishing Program. Available spots are based in several counties, including Boone, Macon, Madison, McLean, Peoria, Sangamon, and St. Clair counties. The Illinois Urban Fishing Program was established in 1985.

 

(The Center Square) – Democratic state legislators are again pushing a measure to change the state’s flat income tax to one with higher rates for higher earners. Introduced byState Senator. Robert Martwick, Democrat from Chicago, Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4 would formally replace language in the Illinois Constitution to allow for a so-called graduated tax system. Republican State Representative Martin McLaughlin, of Barrington Hills, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the idea. McLaughlin said a progressive tax is exactly the wrong idea, at the wrong time. McLauglin added that a graduated tax will set up Illinois taxpayers for more government abuse. A state resolution proposal was voted down by Illinois voters 4 years ago 

 

(Springfield–jc)  One local Illinois State Senator says the democrats in the majority in Springfield want to change the Illinois flat tax to a progressive tax. The issue is moving forward without any figures, says 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet…

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet

 

(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City City Council is scheduled to meet tonight at 7:00. Items to be discussed are the status of the recycling program, the Ameren easement at the wastewater plant, and the adoption of the council and mayoral strategic plan.  The meeting will be held at the council chambers located at 101 E. 8th street in Gibson City.

 

(Springfield–jc)  It was the first committee hearings meeting at the state capitol last week. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington, says he has several bills to be heard…

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  –To address the ongoing housing shortage in Illinois, a bill has been introduced that aims to add more housing through tax credits. Lawmakers call the measure the Build Illinois Homes Act. According to co-sponsor, state Representative Ryan Spain, a Republican from Peoria, this would be a relatively small tax credit at  $20 million in total annually. The bill is currently being looked at by the House Revenue and Finance Committee.

 

(Champaign county–jc)  Several champaign county based fire districts were called to a field fire near Interstate 57 and Duncan road. The call came out around 1-45 Sunday afternoon.  Fire Departments from Eastern Prairie, Cornbelt, Thomasboro, Carroll, Savoy and Bondville assisted with the fire.

 

(Paxton-jm) --  A man from Paxton was arrested after police said he tried to intimidate a witness in a court case against a different man. The Ford County Chronicle reported that Alex Riblet, was arrested after he tried to intimidate the witness at the direction of Jerome Burkes, a 33-year-old also from Paxton. Police said Burkes was arrested in December in connection to an alleged domestic battery that happened the prior month. Riblet was one of two witnesses who were called by the state to testify during that hearing. The Paxton Police Department said Burkes allegedly instructed Riblet to intimidate and threaten another witness into changing their testimony.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich dinner on Friday, February 28th from 5-7 pm. Meal includes pork chop sandwiches and your choice of potato salad or baked beans for $8.

 

The Central Illinois Home and Business Showcase will take place on Saturday, March 1st from 9-5 at the Mahomet Seymour High School.

 

Paxton IGA will hold their first cookout fundraiser of the season benefiting Boy Scout Troop 32 on Saturday March 1st from 10-2.

The Gibson City Melvin Sibley FFA Scholarship Auction will take place Saturday, March 1st. Lunch begins at 11 am, silent auction at noon and live auction at 1pm.

 

Mike Porter will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday, March 1st. Doors open at 5:30 with the show starting at 7. Cost is $10.

 

The Loda American Legion Auxiliary will host a craft fair and bake sale on Saturday, March 8th from 9-2.