(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker, alongside the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $30 million in state-funded grants aimed at revitalizing commercial corridors and downtown areas across Illinois. The funding, distributed through the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets and Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery programs, is intended to accelerate local economic initiatives. Among the grantees, Bubin Properties, LLC in East Central Illinois received $771,263 for the renovation of a vacant building in Downtown Champaign. The City of Bloomington was awarded $1,999,603 for the "Downtown for Everyone" Streetscape Program.
(Illinois–jc) -The National Weather Service has confirmed that five tornadoes touched down in Illinois on Easter Sunday. Two touched down in Monroe County, and tornadoes have been confirmed in Adams, St. Clair and Randolph counties. All the twisters were either EF1 or EF0 in strength. Illinois has seen a total of 58 tornadoes so far this year.
(Fisher-jm) – A man from Fisher is set to be sentenced to probation after he pleaded guilty to inappropriately touching a 4-year-old family member last year. Andrew Caviness, was in court to enter a formal plea of guilty as part of a deal he reached with the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office. He was charged last July with predatory criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony, but that charge was dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to a lesser offense — a Class 4 felony of criminal sexual abuse. As part of the deal he made with prosecutors, he will be sentenced to 30 months of probation and will be required to register as a sex offender.
(Washington–jc) Corn planting has started in some areas in Illinois and around the nation. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Paxton–jc) Some want chickens in the city of Paxton, others do not. That is an issue facing the city leaders. Several people attended this month's Paxton City Council meeting and Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says a meeting on chickens will take place May 13th…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Washington–jc) –An Illinois congressman has introduced legislation aimed at giving support for smaller police departments. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorenson said the Invest to Protect Act of 2025 would create a fund for small and medium-sized police departments with fewer than 175 officers. The money could be used to recruit, train and retain police officers. The measure is currently in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
(Urbana-jm) – Universities are collaborating to pool resources against threats from the federal government, including several public universities in Illinois. Rutgers University recently called on all Big Ten schools to come together against “political infringement” from the Trump administration that could threaten research funding or other university functions with the Mutual Academic Defense Compact. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty senate is scheduled to discuss two proposed resolutions related to the compact at their meeting Monday.
(Undated-jm) – On Tuesday, a letter was released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities citing concerns regarding "government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education." The letter was co-signed by over 150 university and college presidents, including: Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University.
(Undated-jm) – Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias has awarded more than $1.3 million to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries throughout Illinois. Locally, the Cissna Park, Fisher, Iroquois West, Milford, Rantoul Township High School, Watseka, St Joseph Ogden High School and St. Joseph Community School Districts each received $850. Champaign Unit 4 received $8,775. Hoopeston Area $907. Mahomet Seymour $2,920. Paxton Buckley Loda $1,046. Rantoul City Schools $1,351. The Urbana School District received $3,283.
(Washington–jc) The outlook for the dairy industry, domestic trade, tariffs and more. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski takes a look at the future of dairy products…
World Agriculture Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski
(Kempton–jc) – One Central Illinois school district was closed Tuesday due to what school officials described as a threat Tri-Point Superintendent Jay Bennett informed parents and students concerning an anonymous threat. Bennett then cancelled school throughout the district for the rest of the day. Bennett stated that the safety of school children, teachers, support staff and community are the top priority. WPXN news will update this story as more information is released.
(Washington–jc) Soybean planting is progressing in southern states and Iowa. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the details…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Springfield–jc) One state lawmaker is calling on the IHSA to act. State Rep. Blaine Wilhour is calling on the Illinois High School Association to testify before one of the House oversight committees on education after ignoring President Donald Trump’s executive order banning biological males from competing in girls’ sports State Representative Blaine Wilhour, Republican, who serves as the minority spokesman on the K-12 Education Appropriations Committee, said the IHSA’s refusal to follow federal direction is not only outrageous but it’s a direct violation of an executive order.
(The Center Square) – Restaurant workers rallied at the State Capitol Tuesday demanding an end to the tipped wage in Illinois. Critics of such a plan argue that under current Illinois law, tipped workers already are required to earn the state minimum wage of $15 and ending the tipped wage would lead to lost jobs and diminish earning potential for tipper workers. The group One Fair Wage and the Rainbow Push Coalition joined forces in Springfield to call on lawmakers to eliminate the state tip credit. They argue that Black tipped workers are overrepresented in the most casual, lowest-paid segments of the restaurant industry where tips are meager.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Paxton Hardware and Rental. The hardware business has been a part of the business community for decades, but the name Paxton Hardware and Rental is celebrating 25 years, says Owner Scott Allen…
He says they are busy supplying the needs of lawn and garden rentals…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Store Owner Scott Allen. A catalog of rentals is available on their website. Paxton Hardware and Rental is the WPXN Business of the Day, today
WPXN News notes…
The city of Paxton started flushing hydrants Monday. The process is moving 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 today 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 tonight 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.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the PBL Class of 2029 on Saturday April 26th from 10-2.
The Village of Buckley will have garage sales Friday and Saturday
