CHAMPAIGN – Champaign City Manager Joan Walls announced that she has appointed Christopher Walton to serve as the City of Champaign’s next Deputy City Manager. Mr. Walton has more than ten years of municipal government experience and will assume this new leadership role on June Second. Mr. Walton currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Savoy, where he provides administrative leadership and services for the Village, including budget administration, securing state and federal funding, leading economic development initiatives, and managing community and intergovernmental relations. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois Department of Public Health unveiled a Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard to track potential measles outbreaks in the state. The dashboard is designed to assist school administrators and staff with decisions surrounding the spread of measles. There have been no cases of measles this year in Illinois, but hundreds of cases have been reported around the country with three confirmed deaths. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  – The House Republican lawsuit looking into gerrymandering claims in Illinois will not move forward.  The Supreme Court posted their decision Wednesday, saying they will not take up the case. The majority of justices made that decision because they ruled the lawsuit wasn’t brought in a timely manner.  Reaction from local State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington…

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington

 

(Normal–jc)  –A central Illinois police agency is warning the public of a jury duty scam. The Normal Police Department said the scammer will spoof the phone number of local law enforcement and then say they have a warrant for the victim’s arrest due to missing jury duty. The scammer then requests payment of a fine with gift cards or Bitcoin. Police warn that if you receive a call like this to hang up, and call local law enforcement directly.

 

(Springfield–jc  Local 52nd District  State Senator Paul Faraci, Democrat from Champaign,  is building on ongoing efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer – a vital sole-source aquifer supplying clean drinking water to approximately 800,000 people across 15 counties in East Central Illinois. Senator Faraci stated in session on Thursday that our communities rely on the Mahomet Aquifer for safe, clean drinking water – there is no backup plan and the bill introduced will not allow short term projects to damage long-term water security. Faraci’s measure would prohibit carbon sequestration over, under or through the Mahomet Aquifer, enforcing sustainable practices and preventing harmful activities. This is crucial for residents of Central Illinois Senate Bill 17-23 passed the Senate Thursday and awaits further consideration.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –  During debate and looking to the budget, lawmakers in Springfield took time out on Thursday to honor a Vermilion County born actor. 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer helped with House Resolution 2-2-4 to honor Actor Gene Hackman…

 

104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Republican from Danville

 

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois State Fair has announced that The Chainsmokers will perform at the Illinois Lottery Grandstand stage on Friday, Aug. 15. Their debut album, "Memories … Do Not Open," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2013.  Tickets for The Chainsmokers will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12. They join an already crowded schedule of performers this year, including The Black Crowes, Snoop Dogg and Brad Paisley.

 

(Hoopeston–dm)-In honor of National Library week the Hoopeston Public Library is having a “Bookmark Design Contest”. Hoopeston Public Library spokesperson JoAnn Charbonneau explains…

Hoopeston Public Library spokesperson JoAnn Charbonneau. The bookmarks will be on display at the library next week where you can vote for your favorite bookmark.  The winners in each category will receive a gift card from Boxcar Books and Vinyl.

 

 

(Springfield–jc)--  Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker, along with the governors of Minnesota and New York, has been called to testify in May before the House Oversight Committee in its ongoing investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions and their effects on public safety. In March, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was one of several mayors of sanctuary cities who testified in a similar hearing.According to the Congressional Budget Office, roughly 2.4 million immigrants per year entered the U.S. between 2021 and 2024 under the Biden administration. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  –There is legislation in Springfield that aims to fight financial abuse against the elderly. A bill filed by34th District State Senator Steve Stadelman, Democrat from Rockford looks to protect seniors from being financially exploited. The bill would give investment advisors the power to delay transactions if they suspect any red flag activities could result in seniors or people with disabilities being taken advantage of. The Rockford Democrat said one in every five seniors has been a victim of these types of scams.

 

(Thawville–dm)-The Village of Thawville is getting ready for their annual Community Sale.  Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow has more information.

 

 

Thawville Community Spokesperson Becky Warlow.

 

(Paxton–dm)-Weather permitting, The City of Paxton will be flushing hydrants starting Monday, April 21st through Friday, April 25th beginning on the West side of town. You may notice some discoloration or loss of water pressure during this time.

(Gibson City–jc) Gibson Area Hospital is expanding in Gibson City along Route 9.. Director of Employee and Community Events Spokesperson Bill Kirby says the next expansion of the hospital is a pharmacy …

 

 

Gibson Area Hospital Director of Employee and Community Events Spokesperson Bill Kirby. 

 

(Buckley–jc) Staff, students and volunteers from Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley have a busy month of fundraisers. This Sunday, they have a drive through pork chop lunch, says Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz…

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz

 

(Loda–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Harts Greenhouse of rural Loda. Gene and Peggy Hart have been providing gardening and flowers and all things Spring since 1978. Gene Hart says he remembers starting the first greenhouse in 1978…

Gene Hart says they have a wide variety of garden plants and seeds…

Harts Greenhouse of rural Loda owner Gene Hart. Gene and Peggy Hart of Harts Greenhouse are the WPXN Business of the Day today. 

Harts Greenhouse is open 8am to 6pm daily through the Spring.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

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

 

Accolade Paxton Senior Living on Fulton will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12th at 9 am.

 

Paxton Main Street will hold their pancake breakfast and easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 12th at Veterans Square. The breakfast will be from 8-11 am and cost $8 while the Easter egg hunt will take place starting at 9:30 am.

 

The Melvin Women’s Club will hold Breakfast with the Bunny on Saturday, April 12th at the Melvin Community Hall from 9-11 am. Cost is a freewill donation.

 

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the Gibson Masonic Lodge on Saturday April 12th from 10-2.

 

The Harvest Moon Drive in theatre in Gibson City will host its annual Easter egg hunt featuring 10,000 eggs on Saturday, April 12th from 3-3:30 pm.

 

A Swing into Spring vendor market will take place on Sunday, April 13th from 10-4 at Countryside Event Center rural Gibson City.