(East Central Illinois–jc)  Severe weather moved through the WPXN Listening area on Wednesday afternoon and early evening. Officials are looking into straight line winds and tornadic activity. Several funnel clouds were reported in Ford County near Gibson City and Paxton. The storm caused some property damage northeast of Paxton and also to several farm buildings in rural Cissna Park. Flooding also occurred on some area roads on Wednesday. Damage from the storm also happened near Mansfield and Farmer City and southern Champaign County. 

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says a new driver and motor vehicle services facility in downtown Chicago will greatly improve service, but he is not ruling out closures in other parts of the state.

At the ribbon-cutting for the new Secretary of State Flagship Center Tuesday, Giannoulias said he was enormously proud of his office’s new facility and said he was frustrated to see people lose a lot of time…

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

With the opening of a new facility in Chicago, Giannoulias did not rule out closing some D-M-V across the state.

(Springfield–jc)  State lawmakers return back to the capitol in Springfield on Monday. Hundreds of bills have been introduced, but the minority party says only a fraction of those come from conservatives…

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emmington

 

(Bloomington–jc)  Blend requirements have changed, starting yesterday in Illinois. Biodiesel blend requirements increased from B14 to B17 in Illinois.

As a result, 17% of every gallon of biodiesel sold in the state between now and December First will be derived largely from domestically produced, renewable vegetable oil, with soybeans being the top contributor.The new rule also increases the minimum biodiesel blend level eligible for tax exemption.  

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The Community Service Center in Rantoul is set to host its “Spring Fling” event to help raise money for its programs. Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford says they serve a wide variety of people…

Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford

The Spring Fling is set for the Knights of Columbus Hall in the village from 5-30pm to 8-30pm on April 24th. Tickets for the Spring Fling are available on Line

 

(Mexico–jc)  –Illinois Governor  J.B. Pritzker and a delegation of state officials concluded their trade mission to Mexico City Wednesday. Pritzker said the trip was an effort to strengthen the state’s long standing partnership with Mexico, paving the way for future investment and shared success. Trade between Illinois and Mexico exceeded $32 billion in 2024, making Mexico Illinois' second-largest export market.  

 

(LaSalle County–jc)  – An Illinois mother and her 7-year-old son are recuperating after falling into a canyon at Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County.

The Utica Fire Department said it was dispatched Tuesday night to the park’s French Canyon for a report that two people had fallen in. They rescued the mother and child who had apparently fallen around 30 feet to the canyon floor.

Fire officials said the two, from Tinley Park, suffered non-life threatening injuries.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – For a second consecutive year, the Illinois Department of Public Health will celebrate 30 Days of Public Health throughout the month of April.

The month-long slate of activities includes a job fair on April 23 and is intended to engage Illinoisans about how they can be healthier and safer in their own lives, and raise awareness about all that public health does to protect us from illness, disease and injury. Officials said the centerpiece of the month will be the 2025 Illinois Infectious Disease Conference in Champaign on April 15 and 16. 

 

(The Center Square) – The U.S   Department of Justice is urging a federal district court judge to deny a motion to dismiss its challenge to Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies. Illinois State Representative Javier Cervantes, Democrat from Chicago, defends the right to allow illegal migrants to come to Illinois…

 

First  District  State Senator Javier Cervantes, Democrat from Chicago.

Republican State Senator Terry Bryant of Murphysoro says federal leaders are looking to keep its citizens safe…

 

58th District Illinois State Senator Terri Bryant, Republican from Murphysboro

The DOJ filed its lawsuit shortly after U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi was sworn into office under the Trump administration.

 

DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College is once again offering its popular College for Kids summer enrichment program! This year’s lineup includes a wide variety of fun, hands-on classes and sports camps for students entering 3rd grade through high school. Enrollment opened April 1, and spots fill up fast!

From sports skills to welding, from robotics to rock band—there’s truly something for everyone. All camps are designed to help kids learn something new, have fun, and get comfortable with a college campus setting. Since 1980, College for Kids has been helping young learners explore new interests, and challenges.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The WPXN Business of the Day is Just Hamburgers in Paxton. Since 1971 Just Hamburgers has been serving daily lunches and dinners Mondays through Saturdays. Just Hamburgers signature “double cheeseburger” is made with a secret recipe that customers have enjoyed for over 50 years. Just Hamburgers Restaurant Manager Jon Frictl provides information about the hours of Just Hamburgers…

this Saturday, they are donating 20 percent of all sales to the families displaced by a fire that happened on March 22nd…

 

Just Hamburgers Restaurant of Paxton Manager Jon Frictl

5 families lost their homes in the fire on March 22nd.  

Just Hamburgers of Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day, today

WPXN News notes…

 

The 21st annual Festival of Quilts benefiting Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana will take place Friday, April 4th from 9-5 and Saturday, April 5th from 9-2.

 

The Upper Room Bible Church in Paxton will host Grammy nominated gospel group Honor and Glory on Friday, April 4th starting at 7pm. Cost is $15.

 

The Roberts Gym will hold an Easter event on Saturday, April 5th from 8-11 am. A breakfast will be served the entire event with an Easter egg hunt at 10 am and an appearance by the Easter bunny from 9:30-11 am.

 

The PBL FCCLA will hold a spring craft and vendor show on Saturday, April 5th from 9-2 at PBL High School. Those interested in participating are asked to email charleykaye06 at gmail dot com.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting Accolade on Pells on Saturday April 5th from 10-2.

 

Battle Creek Country will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday, April 5th starting at 7pm. Food will be available starting at 5:30 pm