(Springfield-jm) – The state agency responsible for keeping Illinois’ most vulnerable children safe has failed to produce legally required public reports of child deaths and thousands of serious injuries. According to the Illinois Answers Project, more than 1,200 deaths and more than 3,000 cases of serious injury have met the criteria for incident-specific reports since July 2018. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, who sponsored legislation requiring the reports when he was a state lawmaker in the 1990s, is calling the failure “reckless.”

 

(Springfield-jm) – For the first time since 2017, Brad Paisley will be returning to the Illinois State Fair Thursday, August 14. With three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards, Brad Paisley has earned his place in country music history as one of the most decorated male solo artists. Tickets for Brad Paisley will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state is looking to invest in some local communities in a special project. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington explains the plan…

   

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Watseka–dm)-The consolidated election is April 1st.  If you are going to be out of town, or just want to vote early, Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver has information.

 

Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new study shows that Illinois’ high gasoline taxes are not leading to good roads and bridges.  The Reason Foundation has released its Annual Highway Report, which examines pavement condition, deficient bridges, traffic congestion and the overall costs. Illinois fell seven spots from last year’s ranking to 36th in the country. In safety and condition categories, Illinois ranked near the bottom for urban interstate pavement condition, and in the bottom half for rural interstate condition. Illinois drivers pay the second highest gasoline taxes in the country and, by law, the proceeds are intended for transportation infrastructure. The only state with higher gas taxes is California. In spending and cost-effectiveness, Illinois ranks 45th in capital and bridge disbursements, which are the costs of building new roads and bridges and widening existing ones.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Pritzker Administration says the latest surge in community college enrollment across the state is the highest on record. Pritzker said on Tuesday that the 2025 Spring enrollment at Illinois community colleges increased nearly 9% from the previous year, the third consecutive spring that community college enrollment has increased across Illinois. The governor has proposed a program to allow community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Police is continuing efforts to combat human trafficking. ISP Director Brendan Kelly and other stakeholders are scheduled to address the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday regarding Senate Bill 2323. The proposed legislation aims to develop a plan to enhance a victim-centered, trauma-informed law enforcement response to trafficking victims and establish training standards for detection, investigation and response.

 

(Rantoul–dm)-If you like instrumental music, pasta dinners and raffles you will want to mark April 24th on your calendar.  Executive Director of the Community Service Center Cindy Crawford has more information.

 

 

Executive Director of the Community Service Center Cindy Crawford

 

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign Police were contacted by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office on the evening of March 17 with a notification that the victim of a March 16 shooting incident had tragically died. At the request of the Champaign County Coroner’s Office, Champaign Police can share that the victim was identified as Anthony Miller, 31, of Champaign. Miller was initially listed in stable condition after surgery but succumbed to his injuries. The incident has been reclassified as a Homicide investigation.

 

(Paxton–dm)-This summer, the main baskets at the PBL gym are going to be worked on to get them out of play during volleyball games.  They are also planning to do some work on the side baskets.  PBL School Superintendent Travis Duly explains

 

 

PBL School Superintendent Travis Duly

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois families face the highest state and local tax burden in the country in 2025, with residents forced to pay at least 17% of their income in taxes, according to a new report. WalletHub researchers report each Illinois household will spend an average of $13,099, or roughly 17% of their income, in 2025, adding families earning the median income of $79,004 will pay $4,472 more than the national average, or nearly 52% more. In addition, a recent survey found more than 50% of voters polled agreed if given the chance they too would move out of state with high taxes being their primary motivation.  With the state also being home to the second highest property taxes in the country, data shows almost three out of every five state residents believe the value of public service they receive is not worth what they pay in property taxes.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, March 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, March 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.