(Undated-jm) – Burn bans continue to be in place across the area today due to the dry windy conditions. Ford and Iroquois Counties both have burn bans in effect for the entire counties until further notice.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill in Springfield would change one of the requirements for sex offenders. The new bill is being proposed to reduce the prohibited distance for child sex offenders to reside near schools, playgrounds, and child care facilities from 500 feet to 250 feet. The bill is opposed by law enforcement groups and advocacy groups.

 

(Springfield–jc)-- Hundreds of homeschooled students and their parents continue to speak out on House Bill 28-27, known as the Homeschool Act.  The proposed legislation seeks to create a more structured environment for homeschooling in Illinois. Updated reaction from 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer of Danville…

   

104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer, Republican from Danville

 

(Springfield-jm) – Gambling, video gaming, casinos, lottery, sports betting and racing have all helped fund the Illinois budget across the years. A new gambling expansion, if approved, could add an extra $1 billion in revenue for the state. Known as IGaming, legalization would allow any tablet, phone, laptop, desktop etc. to access online gambling websites. Customers could join a virtual table and play some card games or play slots on the phone screen. These would all use real money. Opponents said in a House committee hearing that this industry would "cannibalize" the current video gaming market which keeps many bars and restaurants afloat.

 

(Undated–jc) Taxpayers have one month to complete their taxes this year. Don't’ make those simple mistakes in filing your return. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois judges are required to consider a person's youth during sentencing, yet many people are serving life sentences without parole because they were sentenced before state law changed in 2012. A new proposal in Springfield could allow people who were convicted of felonies while 21 or younger to petition for a new hearing before a judge. Sponsors and advocates said this change could help 50 to 100 prisoners receive a constitutional sentencing hearing. The Illinois State's Attorneys Association is currently opposed to the bill, as members would like to see a narrowing of the scope of the offenses eligible for hearings.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  It’s soccer time this weekend and next weekend  at the Rantoul Sports Complex.  Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Sports Operations Ryan Reid says the upcoming month of April and beyond will see  additional soccer leagues and tournaments  at the Rantoul facility…

   

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Sports Operations Ryan Reid

 

(Champaign-jm) – A man from the suburbs of Chicago was convicted in Champaign County court of shooting a man in his driveway last year. After a two-day trial, a jury convicted Allen Williams on charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery. They determined that the Calumet City native was the person who on February 19, 2024 shot a man on West Vine Street as he was sitting in his car parked in his driveway. Williams is scheduled to be sentenced April 29.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Dry conditions kept firefighters busy again yesterday. Gibson City and Elliott firefighters battled a grass fire along Route 9 near 700 East. Kempton-Cabery firefighters as well as Piper City firefighters were also called to  grass fires. Ford and Iroquois Counties are both under burn bans until further notice. A Fire Weather Watch and Wind Advisory are in effect today. The entire WPXN listening area could see severe weather this evening into the overnight hours.

 

(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois House Democrat plan could force more venues to add baby changing tables to their restrooms. The bill would make all hotels, public and private schools, movie theaters, small entertainment venues like bowling alleys, healthcare facilities and public parks with restrooms install a baby changing station. Republican lawmakers on the committee voted against the bill, saying private companies will be forced to pay the installation cost. The proposal passed the committee on a partisan 5-3 vote. It now heads to the House floor for further debate.

 

(Springfield–jc) Some Conservatives in the Illinois State government are pushing several measures in Springfield to lower property taxes for all Illinoisans. 50th District State Senator Jill Tracy, Republican from Quincy,  says tax reform for citizens of Illinois is needed…

50the District State Senator Jill Tracy, Republican from Quincy

(Watseka–jc–  The Watseka Family Festival Committee announced the concert lineup for this year’s vibrant 2-day festival, taking place at the Watseka American Legion Park in Watseka, on August 22nd and 23rd. On Friday, August 22nd, the festival will feature Revel in Red, a dynamic band from Central Illinois renowned for their electrifying performances and impressive accolades. On Saturday August 23rd, the headliner will be Country Music recording artist Sara Evans. Neal McCoy, a 2 time Entertainer of the Year will be the opening act.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill heading to the Illinois House floor could require school districts to include suicide prevention contact information on the back of school employee IDs. Illinois currently requires school districts to include this information on identification cards for students in grades 6 through 12.  The new proposal would ensure teachers and other school staff have the same information readily available.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Legislation to keep girls in girls sports and boys in boys sports. That is the focus for some legislators in Springfield. 88th District Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur says to all biological females…she will fight for you…

88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur

 

(Springfield-jm) – State representatives hope to create a more equitable system for incarcerated people with disabilities to have education and job opportunities. Anyone entering the Illinois prison system is required to take the Test of Adult Basic Education, or TABE. Although, experts believe the test does not adequately accommodate the unique cognitive and learning needs of people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. House Bill 1810 would allow incarcerated Illinoisans with intellectual or developmental disabilities to have a waiver for the test and ensure equal access to sentence credit opportunities.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Music, a bagpipe performance, silent auction, fun and fundraising, will take the spotlight on Saturday in Paxton. The first annual First Responders Appreciation fundraiser is set for the Cadillac in downtown Paxton on Saturday. Event Spokesperson Ashley Cage says tickets for the public for the three bands, bagpipes, silent auction and fun are free…

First Responders Appreciation Night Fundraiser Spokesperson Ashley Cage. 

More information is found on line and the Cadillac facebook page. 

 

(Champaign-jm) – A plaza in downtown Champaign will open later in the Spring. 

City of Champaign officials announced the Downtown Plaza near the intersection of Neil and Main Streets will open in early May, with bench swings, planters, and open space available for all to enjoy.

 

(Undated–jc)  –   A Chicago pizza shop and a cannabis dispensary are joining forces to make a record-setting cannabis-infused pizza to celebrate Pi Day, today Pizza parlor Paulie Gee's is teaming up with Ivy Hall, Chicago's first social equity dispensary, to attempt to make the world's largest cannabis-infused pizza.  They plan to make a 64-by-32 pizza pie that will serve what they said will be 50 perfectly dosed slices at the dispensary

 

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today from 9-10 at 185 W. Sangamon Avenue in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti supper this evening from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread and salad for $10.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their pancake breakfast on Saturday from 7-10 am. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, hashbrowns and eggs for $8.

 

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the Paxton Buckley Loda Band on Saturday from 10-2.