Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is encouraging area residents to be aware of tularemia symptoms and to monitor their families and pets for signs of illness. Several cases of illness and death in squirrels found in Urbana have been reported, and one of the squirrels tested positive for tularemia, a rare but serious disease that can affect both humans and animals. The presence of infected wildlife may indicate an increased risk of exposure in the area. Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which is commonly found in animals, especially rodents, rabbits, and hares. Humans and many domestic animals, including dogs and cats, can also become infected.
(The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator is calling a measure that seeks to expand voting and registration on public universities’ campuses “nonsense.” 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican fromMahomet, said in Illinois, there’s polling places inside dormitories. Now a proposed change to the Election Code would give public university students more time to vote on campus, extending early voting from four to six days before the election with set hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. Rose says it is getting to a “ridiculous” stage on the extended time and regulations for voting.
(Gibson City–jc) – Gibson City leaders have a special meeting this afternoon. The subject is the E-P-A public water supply loan documents. Action may be taken at today's meeting. The meeting comes to order at 5-30 inside the council chambers
(Springfield–jc) Illinois lawmakers are wrapping up time in Springfield this week and proposals have a deadline of this week to make it to committees or the full chambers. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emmington says he will be back in district this weekend and longer…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington
(Rantoul–dm)-The Village of Rantoul will be sponsoring a clean-up day on Saturday May 10th. Community Development Specialist Brian Hunt has more information.
Community Development Specialist Brian Hunt
(Chicag0–jc) –People waiting for a rideshare pickup have been targeted in a series of robberies in at least two Chicago neighborhoods. Police sent out a community alert to warn the public of the string of incidents, particularly those who frequent bars in the Wrigleyville and Gold Coast neighborhoods. In most cases, the victims had just left a bar and were waiting for a ride when they were robbed. At least 13 such cases have been reported since January.
(Roberts–dm)-Jeremiah 33:6 will be sponsoring a free Produce Pantry and Health Fair on Friday April 18th from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at the Roberts Village gym in Roberts. Jeremiah 33:6 President Dr. Valerie Wright has more information.
Jeremias 33:6 President Dr. Valerie Wright
Champaign, IL (April 16, 2025)— A new “sweet” business is coming to Mahomet. The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting on Tuesday,at noon to celebrate the expansion of The Hive Honey Beetique's in Mahomet's Patton District. Owned and operated by beekeepers on a mission to uplift fellow beekeepers, The Hive offers raw local honey, bath and body products, home décor, apparel, hands-on workshops, and a tasting room featuring more than 20 varieties of honey to try.
(The Center Square) – Public university officials are asking for more money from Illinois taxpayers as lawmakers raise questions about school finances. University of Illinois system President Timothy Killeen said U of I officials requested an increase of over 13 percent in state funding this year over last year. That is an additional 804 million dollars. Killeen said the Governor's budget proposed just a 3 percent increase. Killeen and other U of I system officials addressed the Illinois Senate Appropriations Education Committee this week. The committee also heard from Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University administrators.
(Hoopeston–dm)- Three male juveniles were arrested by Hoopeston Police after a Snapchat video showed them holding a boy at gunpoint. WCIA reported that on April 15th, the Hoopeston Police Department. was contacted about the video which showed a male juvenile being held at gunpoint and being told to take off articles of clothing and being told to repeat degrading remarks. Three male juveniles were arrested for unlawful restraint, aggravated assault and mob action charges. An 11 year old suspect has been released from custody, and two 14 year old suspects have been transported to the Vermilion County Detention Center.
(USDA–dm)-The days leading up to Easter, and perhaps beyond, present the potential of gradually increasing active weather across parts of the country.
Rod Bain has the story.
(Chicago–jc) –Two years after Illinois and five other states secured a $462 million settlement from Juul Labs, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office has announced that part of the settlement is going toward efforts to prevent youth nicotine usage.
Kwame Raoul said his office is donating $24 million, or 5% of the settlement, to the Truth Initiative. As part of the initiative, Illinois schools will receive access to a curriculum called “Vaping: Know the Truth” and the organization will also host college campus events around the state.
(Springfield–jc) – Some conservatives in Springfield have introduced legislation to make childcare more affordable for Illinois families, especially in rural areas of the state. 41st District State Senator John Curran, Republican from Downers Grove provides some insight into Senate Bill 11-20…
41st District State Senator John Curran, Republican from Downers Grove
(Springfield–jc) The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is notifying the owners and operators of 21 Community Water Systems that there has been a detection of one or more P-F-A-s in the most recent water sampling.
P-F-A-s are a group of several thousand human-made chemicals that are manufactured for their oil and water-resistant properties. Since the 1940s, the chemicals have been used in a wide range of consumer products, industrial processes, and in some fire-fighting foams.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling of Paxton. The Gene May family has been in operation since 1978. They provide garbage hauling for several area communities, including Paxton. Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling Owner Gene May says the business started while he was working at the Clinton Power Plant…
Gene May says they are a family owned business and their number one priority is to serve their customers with local-professional services…
Central Illinois Disposal and Recycling Owner Gene May. They also offer a variety of rolloffs for small and large construction, home projects and project clean ups.
WPXN News notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today 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 tonight 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.
Rantoul City Schools #137 is sponsoring a blood drive on Friday April 18th from 11:am to 4pm at the Robert D. Little Board Meeting Room located at 1 Aviation Center Drive in Rantoul. You can call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org to make an appointment
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 and tartar sauce for $10.
The Gibson City Lions Club will hold their Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th at 9 am at North Park. Age groups are 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 years of age.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the Loda Fireworks on Saturday April 19th from 10-2.
