(Chicago–jc)  –Dozens of former student pilots who say they racked up tens of thousands of dollars in debt for tuition are suing Chicago-based United Airlines and its flight school in the Arizona desert, saying it didn’t have enough teachers or aircraft to properly train and graduate its students. The students said in an amended complaint filed last week that their flight time was limited due to the staffing shortages and frequent staff turnover. Some of the students said they ultimately left the program when it became clear they would not finish training after a year.

 

(East St Louis–jc)  One person is dead after a massive fire broke out at a factory in East St. Louis Tuesday morning, drawing multiple fire crews to the scene to battle the blaze. The fire occurred at Eco Recycling Solutions, a pallet company located near the Poplar Street Bridge.The blaze, fueled by a large stock of wood pallets, has been a challenge for firefighters due to strong winds.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Republican from Danville is helping veterans with a bill that passed the Illinois House. Representative Schweizer sponsored a measure called the Veterans’ Services Task Force…

104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Republican from Danville. 

 

(Cullom–jc)  Tri Point school leaders are expected to certify the election results when they meet tonight in Kempton. They are also expected to appoint a president pro-tem and Secretary pro-tem. The meeting comes to order at 7pm in Kempton

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Legislation sponsored by 52nd District State Senator Paul Faraci Democrat from Champaign and  51st District State Senator Chapin Rose Republican from Mahomet to permanently ban CO2 storage under the Mahomet Aquifer passed the Illinois Senate. Reaction from State Senator Chapin Rose….

   

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet

 

(Joliet–jc)  –Flags across Illinois have been ordered to fly at half-staff through sunset on Thursday to honor a soldier who was killed during a training exercise in Lithuania last month. Army Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, of Joliet, and three others were killed when their vehicle sank in a swamp. Their armored vehicle was found submerged under 15 feet of water in a muddy bog. Duenez and his wife welcomed a son named after him one year ago

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is going with a Hawaiian theme this year. They have set the annual golf outing for June 13th at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. The theme for this year is "Aloha it's a Luau".  Plan to come dressed for the occasion and enjoy some golf and camaraderie with fellow businesses. Registration will be open from today through May 27th.

 

(Thawville–jc)  – Saturday, the village of Thawville will be sponsoring their 53rd annual Community sale.  Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow says buyers need a number and that costs two dollars…

Thawville Community Sales Spokesperson Becky Warlow

Fellow Community Sales spokesperson Kaye Schmidt says 4 auctioneer trucks will be selling items throughout the day…

   

Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Kay Schmidt

Consignments start at 5-30, Saturday morning

 

(Ford-Iroquois–jc)  Businesses, civic groups, churches and individuals are invited to donate to Ford and Iroquois County fair 4-H project winners. The Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation is the group that provides a wide  variety of awards at the Ford County Fair in Melvin and the Iroquois County Fair near Crescent City in the summer. Ford-Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Duble says letters to donors have been sent and others are also invited to help with project award winners…

Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Duble.

More information is found on line on the groups facebook page or contacting the foundation.

 

(Rockford–jc)  –An Illinois appeals court has upheld a legal challenge to the presence of an abortion clinic in a Rockford neighborhood. The Rockford Family Planning Center opened on the site of a former chiropractor’s clinic in January 2023. The ruling said the Rockford Zoning Board of Appeals made an error in issuing a special use permit.

 

(Alton–jc)  –No injuries were reported after an Amtrak train struck a vehicle early Tuesday morning in Alton. Police were called after a vehicle crashed through a protective fence near an Amtrak station and had become stuck on the railroad tracks. The train involved in the crash was traveling from St. Louis to Chicago.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Paxton Buckley Loda School Board members have an amended budget hearing tonight at the high school at 6pm. Following that meeting is the regular monthly meeting where the board will appoint two members to help with high school graduation ceremonies set for May. Updates in student handbooks, an amended budget, student fees and insurance and a proposed aquaculture class for next year are all on the agenda. The Paxton Buckley Loda board meetings start at 6 tonight at the high school in Paxton.  

 

(Springfield–jc)  One local State Senator is helping sponsor a bill that would close loopholes on those convicted is sex trafficking crimes. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon says Senate Bill267 closes those loopholes…

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Normal–jc)  -Illinois State University’s Office of Student Research is pleased to announce that two students, Claire Campbell, of Towanda, ., and Trent Kobulnicky, of Bloomington,  were named 2025 Goldwater Scholars. Established in 1986, the Scholarship Program honoring Senator Barry Goldwater

 

(Paxton–jc) A Pop up shopping event is set for the city of Paxton on Saturday April 26th. It’s the 3rd annual “It’s a Spring, Fling” event at A Picket Fence Florist in downtown Paxton. Event Spokesperson Leslie Ingold says it's a time to shop for things  “spring”...

 

It’s A Spring Fling event Spokesperson Leslie Ingold

The event features over a dozen home based businesses that are featured at A Picket Fence Florist in downtown Paxton on April 26th from 10am until 2pm

 

 

(Paxton–jc)  – Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Paxton Community Nursery School located on Fall Street in the city. The school for 3 and 4 year old children started in the First United Methodist Church in the 1980s. The school is now located near the Paxton Park District Building and soccer fields. They have one of their fundraising events coming later this month with an annual Spring Art Show and Silent Auction. Paxton Community Nursery School President Samantha Magers provides an insight into the history of the local nursery school…

Magers says the school provides an insight into learning in a fun learning environment…

Paxton Community Nursery School President Samantha Magers

The group has their annual spring art show and silent auction set for Thursday April 24th from 5-30pm to 7pm at the school on Fall Street

The Paxton Community Nursery School is the WPXN Business of the Day, today