(The Center Square) – As efforts continue to eliminate the tipped minimum wage in Illinois, one major city that made the move is throwing in the towel. After being blamed for the closure of numerous restaurants and thousands of job losses in the service industry, the mayor of Washington D.C. is calling for the repeal of a law requiring tipped employees to be paid the full minimum wage. The Illinois Restaurant Association opposes the law, citing fears that the increase in costs for operators would force them to raise prices and thus driving away customers, harming restaurant businesses in the long term. Rebekah Paxton, research director of the nonprofit research group Employment Policies Institute, said what happened in D.C. should be a warning sign for Illinois.
(Champaign County–jc) A construction zone accident along Interstate 57 in Champaign County in Champaign caused a significant back up on Tuesday afternoon. Police say the crash happened near the I-57 and I-74 exchange around 3pm. The scene took several hours to clear, causing the slowed traffic. State police continue to remind the public to drive slow and extra careful in road construction zones.
(Springfield–jc) One local state representative is s co-sponsoring legislation in the Illinois House that will investigate the barriers to entry for new farmers. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington is pushing the house version of Illinois Senate Bill 23-72.. It calls on the Department of Agriculture to establish a Farmland Transition Commission to examine current barriers individuals ages 25 through 40 face when trying to purchase or access farmland…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County sheriff’s committee is set to meet this morning at the Ford County Courthouse in Paxton. The will hear a sheriffs report and coroner’s report. The meeting comes to order at 9 this morning
(Washington–jc) Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is scheduled to visit Springfield today to comment on Illinois’ sanctuary policies. Noem will hold a news conference to highlight how the state’s policies have unleashed violence on American citizens while shielding illegal aliens from facing consequences. The Trump administration filed a new immigration lawsuit last week against Illinois, claiming the state illegally discourages businesses from signing up for E-Verify, the federal system used to identify noncitizens who aren't eligible to work in the U.S.
(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed six measles cases in Illinois so far this year, with two new cases in Southern Illinois over the weekend. In one case, the infected person potentially visited locations in Missouri, including the St. Louis Aquarium. I-D-P-H said it is working with local health departments to offer guidance, testing, and vaccination support. Mobile vaccination services have been sent to areas with low vaccination rates.
(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 20-30. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, said the products contain carcinogens that can cause severe illnesses.
9th District State Senator Laura Fine, Democrat from Chicago
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.
(Illinois–jc) Democrat U.S. Representative. Robin Kelly is entering the race to become Illinois’ next senator. Kelly, who was elected to Congress in 2013, is the second Democrat to announce their candidacy to replace Dick Durbin, who will not seek reelection in 2026. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her candidacy the day after Durbin’s announcement. Kelly represents the 2nd congressional district in Illinois which includes Ford, Iroquois, and parts of Champaign and Vermilion counties to the south and parts of Chicago to the north.
(Rantoul–jc) Plans continue for the village of Rantoul Memorial Day “Flag Garden.” The project is sponsored by the Rantoul Exchange Club. The cost for each flag in the garden is 5 dollars. Each flag will honor a veteran or current military person. Rantoul Exchange Club Spokesperson Janet Brotherton says the place for the garden this year is the Rocket along route 45 near the Hap Parker Aquatic Center…
Rantoul Exchange Club Spokesperson Janet Brotherton.
To order a flag for 5 dollars, contact any Exchange Club member or check out their facebook posts, online
(The Center Square) – Illinois’ meat producers say they are concerned about the prospect of tariffs on their industry, but they’re working to maintain their market share. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies continue to bring uncertainty to various markets, including agricultural markets and exports. During an Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon, Jennifer Tyree with the Illinois Pork Producers Association laid out the strengths in her industry. To the question of prospective tariffs, Tyree said they are a big concern they’re monitoring closely, but Illinois’ pork industry is focused on maintaining their market share.
(Cissna Park–jc) One area town is set for special Saturdays this Spring and Summer. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says there is no need for most Illinoisans to wait in line for a REAL ID. Starting today, the U.S. government will require a passport, REAL ID or other REAL ID-compliant identification to board a domestic flight or enter secure federal facilities. Giannoulias said you can still get a REAL ID after May 7.
(Rantoul–jc) – Want to learn the game of golf? Area youth have the opportunity this summer at Willow Pond Golf Course in Rantoul. Director of Golf Will Karkos says the camp and lessons start in June with sessions in July and August. Karkos says the fee is set for each participant…
Willow Pond Golf Course in Rantoul Director of Golf Will Karkos.
Visit Willow-pond-golf-dot-com for more information.
(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and motorcycle safety advocates are reminding all users of the road to “Start Seeing Motorcycles” as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. I-Dot Bureau Chief of Safety Programs Stephane Seek-Birhame says they want all drivers to share the safely enjoy Illinois roadways.
(Paxton–jc) On Saturday May 17th, the city of Paxton will be filled with cars on Market, going to “taft.” and more. Several open house events are among the plans for the day. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says the Ford County Museum will be open…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Grundy County–jc) In an effort to help local motorists transition from outdated plastic I-PASS transponders to the Illinois Tollway’s new sticker tags, 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema Republican from Channahon and others are partnering with the Illinois Tollway to host a sticker swap event in Morris.
Senator Balkema provides the invite…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema Republican from Channahon
The event is again on Monday May12th from 3pm to 7pm in Morris at the Grundy County Board room
WPXN News notes…
The Community Service Center in Rantoul will host a Resource Fair on Thursday, May 8th from noon-4pm.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, May 9th from 9-10 at 185 W. Sangamon Avenue in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.
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.
The Loda Sportsmans Club will hold a fishing derby for youth under the age of 16 on Saturday, May 10th from 10-2.
Monster Truck Wars will take place on Saturday, May 10th at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. Showtimes are at noon and 6pm.
