(Chicago–jc) –The Department of Justice says the State of Illinois and several universities have suspended a minority-only scholarship program after a lawsuit threat from the department. The program was administered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education before being suspended until it can review it with the Illinois General Assembly during the current legislative session. The universities named in a DOJ press release are Northwestern University, Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Chicago.
(Springfield–jc) A proposal to help safeguard Illinois food service consumers with a rare disease passed the state Senate. The legislation adds training for celiac disease for licensed food handlers.Topics that workers would need to be trained on include the symptoms of celiac disease, methods to avoid cross-contamination with gluten-containing foods, cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Severe health reactions can occur if people with celiac disease have even a small trace of gluten.
(The Center Square) – Members of Illinois' congressional delegation voted along partisan lines on a U.S. House measure that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. U.S. House members approved the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE Act by a vote of 220-208. The bill would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for federal office, and for other purposes. Illinois U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, urged her colleagues to oppose the measure
Illinois U.S. Rep Delia Ramirez, D.-Chicago
Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, called out Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and former President Joe Biden said illegal aliens in the state have received welfare benefits, commercial driver’s licenses and state identification..
Illinois U.S. Rep Mary Miller, R- Oakland
(Springfield–jc) –Chronic wasting disease, or CWD, is spreading in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resource, the disease has been detected in Putnam, Marshall, Adams, and Peoria counties, expanding the geographic presence of the disease in free-ranging deer populations in northern Illinois. CWD is an always-fatal neurological disease that affects the long-term health of white-tailed deer in Illinois.
(Deerfield–jc) A packed school board meeting grew heated last week at a school district in Deerfield that has been in the national spotlight for its transgenders policies. The controversy involves allegations that middle school students were forced to change gym clothes in a locker room in front of a transgender classmate. The school district insists the incident did not happen.
(Springfield–jc) - The Illinois Manufacturers Association held a contest to see what the coolest item made in Illinois was. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story.
(The Center Square) – Gun owners would have to lock up their firearms anywhere they are under a measure that passed the Illinois Senate in the late hours that Thursday night. Senate Bill 8 found lopsided support among the public. As of Thursday evening, 710 individuals filed witness slips in favor. About 3,200 people filed in opposition. The deadline to move the bill to the House was today. Opposing the measure in committee, gun rights advocate Todd Vandermyde said it goes beyond just requiring safe storage by adding penalties for if a stolen firearm is used against someone else.
(The Center Square) – As Illinois Republicans continue to make a push to expand nuclear power in the state, the governor appears to be on board. Illinois generates more electricity from nuclear power than any other state in the country, with 11 working reactors at six locations. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation in 2023 that lifted a decades-long moratorium on new nuclear power reactors, but was aimed at exploring the use of small modular reactors, or SMRs. One measure in Springfield would allow for the expansion of nuclear power beyond small modular reactors. The measure would remove provisions prohibiting the construction of new nuclear power reactors with a nameplate capacity of more than 300 megawatts of electricity.
(Springfield–jc) – Is Ethics reform high on the agenda in Springfield during the current session? Reaction from 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington.
(The Center Square) – Student-athletes could be granted waivers for non-school athletic events with a measure approved by the Illinois House.
State Representative. Janet Yang Rohr, Democrat from Naperville, sponsored House Bill 30-37. She said the measure came to her from student-athletes in her district and around the state. The Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Principals Association both registered their opposition to the measure. Yang Rohr said she worked on the amendment with principals, athletic directors and coaches who said the IPA did not speak on their behalf or consult with them before the associations registered their opposition. Yang Rohr noted that it advanced unanimously out of committee.
(The Center Square) – As demand for Chicago downtown office space fell to record-low levels for the 11th consecutive month in March, Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski is clear about who he sees as the real victim.Real estate firm CBRE now pegs the area’s overall vacancy rate at 26.5%, and estimates that the city’s central business district is occupying as much as 2.1 million less square feet than it did just a few years ago. As a result, neighborhood foot traffic continues to remain only a fraction of what it once was, meaning that local business that remain downtown see fewer customers.Through it all, Dabrowski said he can envision a brighter future provided city leaders are open to changing direction.
(Paxton–dm)-The Paxton Community Nursery School has served the Paxton area for over 40 years. They are reaching out to the community for help and support. Paxton Community Nursery School Board President Sam Magers has more.
Paxton Community Nursery School Board President Sam Magers. There will be a public meeting on Wednesday, April 16th at 6pm at the PCNS classroom to hear the community’s thoughts and ideas
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Bank of Pontiac. Since 1947 the Bank of Pontiac has been working with its customers to find financial solutions for business, agriculture and family. Bank of Pontiac, Paxton Branch Manger Nancy Hofer takes a look at the local area served by Bank of Pontiac…
She says they offer a wide variety of services to the local area…
Bank of Pontiac, Paxton Branch Manager Nancy Hofer.
The Bank of Pontiac’s business logo is …”Together, We’re Better.”
The Bank of Pontiac is the WPXN Business of the Day, today
WPXN News notes…
Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, April 18th at 10 am.
Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair on Friday, April 18th from 3:30–5:30 pm at the Roberts Gym.
The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, April 18th from 4-7 pm. Dinner includes your choice of fish or chicken, baked beans, green beans, coleslaw for $10.
Kickin Cancer Coaches vs Cancer Dinner and Auction will take place on Wednesday, April 16th at 5pm at Gordyville USA.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, April 17th 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, April 17th 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.
