(Springfield–jc)  –Beginning in 2030, polystyrene foam disposable food containers would be banned in Illinois under a Senate Bill that passed the chamber Wednesday. Senate Bill 15-31 would level a $1,000 penalty for the second and subsequent infractions. Opponents said the measure will hurt manufacturers of such products and consumer choice. The ban does not impact egg cartons.

 

(Springfield–jc) Officials are reminding citizens beginning May 7, anyone over 18 years old will be required to present a REAL ID to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities or military bases. REAL ID is not required to drive, vote or enter state-owned buildings. The new requirements were years in the works, but were delayed by court action from various states pushing back on implementation.

 

(Springfield–jc)  A number of Illinois legislators are making it clear that they oppose spending more state taxpayer dollars on Chicago unless city officials improve their failing financial practices. As Mayor Brandon Johnson visits Springfield this week, Chicago is facing a budget deficit of more than $1 billion dollars. Reaction from 24th District State Senator Seth Lewis, Republican from Bartlett…

24th District State Senator Seth Lewis, Republican from Bartlett

 

Urbana, Ill. - Carle Health announced that  Doctor James C. Leonard, is the 2025 recipient of the American Hospital Association  Justin Ford Kimball Innovators Award. The prestigious honor is the national organization’s highest award and recognizes Dr. Leonard’s forward-thinking leadership and Carle Health’s commitment to providing transformative care in the communities it serves under his leadership. The A-H-A will present Dr. Leonard with the award at their membership meeting this month. Leaders receiving the recognition demonstrate innovation that has reshaped the future of healthcare.

 

Bloomington, IL—We all play vital roles in caring for our mental health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The   McLean County Health Department  is encouraging everyone to prioritize their own mental well-being and advocate for change to help build a more supportive world for all.  Every year since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a driving force in addressing the common challenges faced by millions of Americans. Mental health is essential for overall well-being at every stage of life. Regardless of age, background, or experience, when we place a priority on mental health we strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  An open house to honor current Rantoul Mayor Charles Smith is set for this afternoon. Village officials say the open house is  from 3pm to 6pm at  village hall on Tanner Street. Smith has served the village in many roles for several decades, including being Mayor.

 

(Paxton–jc)  City of Paxton leaders are looking to place security cameras at several public places including at Pells Park. Some recent vandalism is one main reason. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about one incident…

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

The issue may come up at this month's council meeting. 

 

Chicago–jc)  –– Chicago and Cook County officials continue to push back against the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit challenging migrant sanctuary policies. 

In the past 100 days of Donald Trump’s administration, the White House says they’ve reduced illegal border crossings by more than 97% from the Biden administration. Visiting Springfield Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said it was the city with their bus restriction ordinance that slowed so-called new arrivals coming to the city before Trump took office.

 

(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Police Department officers responded to a report of a man threatening a known female at the Illini Union at 9:03 a.m. Wednesday. Upon attempting to make contact, the suspect fled the area. Officers later received information that the suspect was armed and located in Talbot Laboratory. Officers quickly arrived on the scene and detained the suspect before an Illini-Alert could be issued. No firearm was found.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois State Senator is proposing a new bill that’ll require specific facilities to have an AED on site. Senator Doris Turner is hoping to get the lifesaving machines into nursing homes, assisted living centers, shared housing and other places. Current state law says physical fitness centers, police departments, public schools and a few other places are required to have AEDs inside their buildings.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Legislation to protect the Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration has reached the floor of the Illinois House on Wednesday .Senate Bill 1723 passed out of the House Energy and Environment Committee this week. The measure comes after leaks were reported last year at the Archer-Daniels-Midland Company facility in Decatur.The Mahomet Aquifer is the main source of drinking water for most of East Central and Central Illinois.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –.A measure approved by the Illinois Senate Wednesday would allow anyone under the age of 21 convicted of a felony offense to file post-conviction petitions claiming their sentence violates the Illinois Constitution.Senate Bill 248 would allow the filing without having to demonstrate cause. Opponents said the measure could lead to the release of violent offenders.

 

(Chicago–jc)  –The city of Chicago has joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that the president does not have the authority to dismantle, downsize or transform federal agencies without congressional approval. Chicago joins five other democratic cities in the case, which is in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

 

(The Center Square) – The Illinois House Energy and Environment Committee has advanced legislation to study the potential movement of populations due to climate issues. Senate Bill 1859 advanced to the House floor Tuesday after committee members voted 17-10 in favor of the measure.State Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, explained the goal of SB 1859 to create the Climate Displacement Task Force….

39th District State Representative Will Guzzardi, Democrat from Chicago

 

(Chicago–jc)  — The Chicago Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health have identified two confirmed cases of measles. These are the first two cases in Cook County this year. One case was identified as an adult who is a suburban Cook County resident, and whose vaccination status is unknown. They presented to a local Hospital for medical care on Monday, April 28th. Another case was identified in an adult Chicago resident who traveled internationally through O’Hare Airport in early April. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Could some school mascots be banned in a few short years.

House Bill 12-37, was approved and now is in the hands of the Illinois Senate. This bill would prohibit the use of Native American-themed school mascots, logos, and team names in public schools. The bill would also ban depictions of certain Native American imagery like headdresses or weapons. Reaction from 53rd District Illinois State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon…

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahone

If Approved and signed into law by the governor, schools would have until September 1, 2030, to transition to new mascots and material

 

(Champaign-jm) – More than a year after the crime was committed, a man from the Chicago suburbs was sentenced to 45 years in prison for shooting a man in his driveway in Urbana.  Allen Williams was convicted on charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery after a two-day jury trial in March of 2025. Investigators determined that Williams shot a man on West Vine Street as he was sitting in his car parked in his driveway in February of 2024. Police said the victim’s wounds were life-threatening, but he survived and was later released from the hospital.

(Watseka-jm) – Iroquois County CUSD 9 is actively investigating a breach to their Thrillshare account that occurred Monday night. Thrillshare is the company the district uses for communication. This software was compromised and used to send a message via text, website and social media, and this is the reason they were unable to communicate on the account Monday night. According to Superintendent Dr. David Andriano, this program does not store any passwords, social security numbers or birthdates. Additionally, the district has consulted with the company and confirmed that no data was downloaded.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A Democratic bill requiring the addition of seatbelts to all school buses passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday. This plan would require all buses to have seat belts by 2031. The idea for the proposal came after state Senator Julie Morrison received concerns from parents over bus safety following a school bus crash in her district. GOP lawmakers expressed opposition to the bill, who said the seat belts could be used as a weapon or could stop kids from escaping an emergency.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A Democratic plan at the state level would add trauma-informed response training for law enforcement. The training would be during the probationary period of an officer's training, where they'll learn how to appropriately handle sexual assault cases when the officer knows either the victim or abuser. If passed, the law would be named after Anna Williams. Williams said she dealt with ridicule and mistrust when she came forward with her experience of being sexually assaulted.

 

(Gibson City–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Ropps Flower Factory. The garden center business has been in operation since the 1960s. Current owner Roger Cramer has operated Ropps since the 1980s. Cramer provides an insight into the history of Ropps Flower Factory…

 

 

He says they have the largest selection of plants ready for the Spring…

 

 

 

Ropps Flower Factory Owner Roger Cramer

Ropps Flower Factory has 3 locations in the area. They are Gibson City Paxton and Mahomet. All stores are open daily for the Spring. 

Ropps Flower Factory is the WPXN Business of the Day, today