(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is asking state lawmakers to approve a $120 million budget for his office. House appropriations leaders noted that is a $15 million increase over his current operating budget. The Attorney General's office addresses crime victims services, Medicaid fraud, and organized retail crime among many other areas. However, the Trump administration has become the largest issue for Raoul. His office has filed over 10 lawsuits and 14 amicus briefs against the Trump administration, but there are other cases in the works.

 

(Champaign–jc)  – The Interchange between Interstates 74 and 57 was closed for about two hours on Monday afternoon. The reason was to clear a semi load that overturned in an on ramp area. Crews were called around 4pm on Monday and the cleanup was completed by 6-30pm

 

(Paxton–jc)  The annual Paxton Community Nursery School Spring Art Show and Silent Auction is set for Thursday from 5-30pm to 7pm at the school on Fall Street in paxton.  Paxton Community Nursery School President Samantha Magers they need support and more kids for the upcoming school year…

   

Paxton Community Nursery School President Samantha Magers.

The public is invited to see the art projects and look at the silent auction items at the event on Thursday.

 

(Hoosier–jc)  The State of Indiana is looking to forward a measure to annex some Illinois Counties. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the latest…

   

(Watseka-jm) – Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department is among those hosting a drug take back event. The Sheriff’s Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration to collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Take Back Day has been an annual event for over a decade and since its inception, law enforcement has removed almost 9,300 tons of old, unwanted or expired medication from circulation and from being a “gateway to addiction.” The Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department will host its event at the west door of the Iroquois County Jail on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is urging residents to remain vigilant for symptoms of tularemia following reports of illness and death among squirrels in Urbana. One squirrel tested positive for the disease, which poses a risk to both humans and animals. Tularemia, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, is typically found in animals such as rodents, rabbits, and hares. Infected wildlife may signal an increased risk of exposure in the area, said health officials. Pets can contract tularemia through contact with or consumption of infected animals, tick or flea bites, or by inhaling or ingesting contaminated materials. Pet owners are advised to monitor their animals for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian if concerns arise.

 

(Ramtoul–dm)-If you know someone ages 8-14 that would like to learn or improve their golf game, Willow Pond Golf Course will be putting on junior golf academies this summer. Director of Golf Will Karkos has more information.

   

Willow Pond Director of Golf Will Karkos.  If you want more information or want to get registered go to their website at willowpondgolf.com

 

(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have decreased by 6.2 cents per gallon over the past week, now averaging $3.33 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations in the state. This marks a 6.8-cent decline from a month ago and a significant 57.1-cent drop compared to the same time last year.  On a national scale, the average price of gasoline has fallen by 3.4 cents per gallon in the last week, now averaging $3.10 per gallon. This is a 1.8-cent decrease from a month ago and 54.6 cents lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has also seen a decline, dropping 2.7 cents in the last week to $3.519 per gallon.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Lawmakers return to the state capitol today. A pair of bills that could impact the area include one that protects the Mahomet Aquifer while the other one could impact homeschooling in the state.

 

(Chicago–jc)  –Jury deliberations are underway in the bribery case against Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III.  Jones is accused of accepting bribes from a red-light camera company executive whose cooperation with prosecutors has also brought down several other politicians. He has remained in office since his September 2022 indictment on three counts, including bribery and lying to the FBI, even winning another four-year term in the Senate in an unopposed race after being charged.

 

(Rantoul–jc) Fundraising for the Rantoul Community Service Center takes center stage on Thursday with their annual Spring Fling event. The event is set for Thursday from 5-30pm to 8-30pm at the Knights of Columbus in the village. Community Service Center  Executive Director Cindy Crawford says part of the event is some great food…

 

Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford. 

Music and an auction also highlight the event. Tickets for the Thursday April 24th event are available on-line

 

(Kankakee-jm) – Authorities are investigating a crash that killed three people in Kankakee. The accident happened over the weekend in the 900 block of South Cobb Boulevard. Investigators say a GMC Yukon left the roadway and hit a tree. After the initial impact, the SUV caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames. All three people in the vehicle died. They have been identified as 48-year-old Philip Birdsong, 45-year-old Kiyantis Riley and 41-year-old Jeffrey Clark.

(Bismarck-jm) – A 58-year-old man from Bismarck has been sentenced for distributing child pornography. Rosmiro Arvizu pleaded guilty to the class X felony and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Arvizu will have to register as a sex offender for life. 

 

(Rantoul–dm)-The Kids Foundation of Rantoul along with the Rantoul Police Department Shop With A Cop will be sponsoring their annual 4 person golf scramble at Willow Pond Golf Course in Rantoul.  Social Worker Tasha Brasher has more information.

 

 

Social Worker Tasha Brasher. To enter, complete registration form and return before May 9th to Michael Fox at Bank of Rantoul

 

(Penfield-jm) – On Saturday, April 26, the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Penfield will host the International Dark Sky Celebration, an event dedicated to raising awareness about light pollution and promoting the beauty of natural night skies. The celebration begins at 7:30 PM with the unveiling of the preserve’s new Dark Sky Trail during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The trail features exciting additions such as an observatory, hammock stands, and concrete spaces specifically designed for telescopes. Following the ceremony, attendees can enjoy a public observing session from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, hosted in collaboration with the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society. Society members will share their telescopes and expertise, offering participants a chance to observe celestial objects while learning about the significance of dark skies and strategies to minimize light pollution.

 

(Paxton–jc)  It’s A Spring Fling is the WPXN Business of the Day, today. 

A Pop Up 4 hour shopping event is set for Saturday in downtown Paxton. This is the 3rd “It’s A Spring Fling” event hosted by A Picket Fence Florist in downtown Paxton.  Spokesperson Leslie Ingold says the store will be filled with home based businesses…

 

Ingold provides a list of who will be there…

 

 

It's A Spring Fling Pop Up Event Spokesperson Leslie Ingold

Saturdays hours of the event are from 10am until 2pm

It’s A Spring Fling is the WPXN Business of the Day, today. 

 

WPXN News notes…

The city of Paxton started flushing hydrants yesterday. The process will move from west to east in the city this week.

 

The Paxton Buckley Loda FFA Greenhouse is open. Hours are Monday through Friday 1:30-3:30pm and Saturday May 10th from 8am til noon.

 

The Ford Iroquois Retired Teachers Association will meet on Wednesday, April 23rd at 11:30 am at Lucy’s Kitchen in Gilman.

 

Credit Union 1 along with the Rantoul Public Library will host a free presentation on building good credit habits on Wednesday, April 23rd from 6-7 pm.

 

Danville Area Community College will hold their career expo on Thursday, April 24th from 11-3 in the Mary Miller Gymnasium.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich dinner on Friday, April 25th from 5-7pm. Cost is $8 and includes a sandwich and a side.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host Neon Rodeo a tribute to 90s country on Friday, April 25th at 8pm. Cost is $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

 

The Fisher FFA Greenhouse will be open Saturday May 3rd and Saturday May 10th from 9am-1pm.