(Ottawa–jc) The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that Illinois 17 at the B-N-S-F Railway underpass near Reading in Livingston County will be closed for repairs beginning Monday. The work is expected to take six days to complete.A posted detour will direct traffic to use Illinois 23, Illinois 18 and La Salle County Highway 44.
Champaign, IL – In response to recent discussions and proposals regarding property tax increases in Champaign County, the Champaign County Association of Realtors is hosting a free informational event on Thursday night at 6 in Savoy. Understanding how property taxes are assessed—and how to appeal them—can help the public make informed financial decisions. These taxes can have a significant impact on household budgets and business bottom lines, yet many property owners aren't aware of how the process works or what their rights are. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended as the space is limited to 100 attendees. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
(Springfield–jc) With the start of May, the main job for state leaders is getting a new budget approved. One area lawmaker wants to see a smaller budget, and balanced too. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon says the budgets under current Governor J B Pritzker have gone from 30 Billion to 55 Billion, and higher taxes for all…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon.
(Champaign–jc) The Champaign Police Department conducted a traffic campaign to reduce distracted driving throughout the month of April, reminding motorists to pay attention behind the wheel. The enforcement effort was conducted by Champaign Police in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
During the campaign, Champaign Police committed officers to 28 hours of dedicated enforcement with a focus on arterial routes, especially in areas where they impact neighborhoods. In April, these efforts by Champaign Police yielded, 26 citations for distracted drivers, 5 speeders, 4 drivers without insurance and several for driving without a license.
(Bloomington–jc) – Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is building a 1.2 million square-foot supplier park in Normal that the company said will create nearly 100 new jobs. The park will allow the company to become more involved in the production of component parts for its R1 and R2 models.Rivian officials said the expansion will allow the company to buoy their supply chain, keeping it consistent throughout the manufacturing process.
(Watseka–jc) Iroquois County officials provided the list of projects with “Rescue Plan Act” funds. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…
(The Center Square) – A federal lawsuit against Bally’s Casino, the city of Chicago and the Illinois Gaming Board has been dropped after Bally’s agreed to revise its initial public offering to potential investors. The case was closed after Bally’s agreed to restructure its IPO to no longer require purchasers to be a woman or minority. Liberty Justice Center senior counsel Reilly Stephens said this was one of the most blatant pieces of discrimination he’s seen in his career.Stephens said Illinois state law played a role in Bally’s discriminatory policy.
(Paxton–jc) The city of Paxton has a marketing agreement with another new business on the city's west side. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says new signage has been placed at Oakwood Fire and Pizza near Shields Auto Mart in Paxton…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(The Center Square) – With less than one month before the budget deadline, the debate over subsidizing non-citizen health care continues, especially as Gov. J.B. Pritzker winds down one program. In his proposed budget released in February, Pritzker cuts the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program, which had taxpayers subsidizing the health care for non-citizens between the age of 42 and 64. The Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults, putting taxpayers on the hook for the health care for non-citizens over the age of 65, will still be intact if lawmakers approve Pritzker's proposal. Grace Pai is the executive director of Asians Advance in Chicago. During a news conference in Springfield, she advocated for more spending on non-citizens, not less.
Executive Director of Asians Advance Grace Pai
State Representative. C.D. Davidsmeyer, Republican from-Murrayville, says taxpayers can’t afford it any more and advocated for ending both the adult and senior non-citizen health care subsidies. He has House Bill 1456 to do just that.
State Representative C D Davidsmeyer.
(Grundy County–jc) If you use the tollways, you need to go to a free meeting next Monday in Grundy County. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington says its worth the trip…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington
CHAMPAIGN – In order to complete an emergency water service repair at 1401 Interstate Drive, A&R Services will close Interstate Drive between Newmark Drive and Farber Drive in Champaign today. The closure begins today and runs through next Monday. Access will be maintained to all properties, but the road will be closed to through traffic.
(The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives could take up a measure this month that would ban the sale of polystyrene food service packaging in the state by 2030. Various business and labor groups oppose the proposed legislation. Illinois companies would still be allowed to manufacture and sell the products, but only to parties out of state. The law would exclude egg cartons.
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, said the products contain carcinogens that can cause severe illnesses.
(Springfield–jc) –The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is raising awareness about the seriousness of the crime of arson during this 30th annual Arson Awareness Week. The National Fire Protection Association reports municipal fire departments in the U.S. responded to an estimated annual average of over 52,000 intentionally set structure fires in the five-year period from 2014 to 2018. Officials said to report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings to the local police.
(Champaign–jc) –. – State Farm Center is hosting the Steve Miller Band on Friday, September 26th as a featured event during University of Illinois Homecoming week. The renowned band, headlined by 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Steve Miller, will be making its third-ever appearance at State Farm Center, and its first performance since April of 1997. The show is scheduled to kick-off at 8 p.m.,
(Undated–jc) –The Illinois Department of Agriculture encourages farmers and agrichemical facilities to take part in a free agrichemical container recycling program.Beginning in the middle of July and continuing into August, sites throughout the state will collect containers that are recycled to make shipping pallets. Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program. Permanent collection sites are located in Pike, Lawrence and White counties, with single day collection sites taking place around the state.
(Paxton–jc) Paxton will be full of activities on “draggin’ main” Day, Saturday May 17th. Among the open houses in the city, the Paxton Railroad Museum will be open, says Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
WPXN News notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Tuesday, May 6th from 9-930 at the St. Joseph library, 10-10:30 at the old high school ballpark in Ogden, 11-11:30 at the Homer post office, 12:30-1 at the Sidney community building, 1:30-2 at the Philo village office and from 2:30-3pm at The Oaks at Tolono.
The Community Service Center in Rantoul will host a Resource Fair on Thursday, May 8th from noon-4pm.
The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, May 9th 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 puzzle night fundraiser on Friday, May 9th at Countryside Campground. Dinner begins at 6 with puzzles at 7. Cost is $100 for teams of 4.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the PBL Class of 2031 on Saturday May 10th from 10-2.
