(Springfield-jm) – United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited Springfield on Wednesday. Noem stated her visit aimed to highlight the impact of Illinois's sanctuary policies on national safety. During a press conference, Noem criticized Illinois' status as a sanctuary state, describing it as "disastrous for the people." She said, "This governor has bragged about Illinois being a firewall against President Trump's immigration enforcement agenda, and it's very clear he's violating the Constitution of the United States because it is a federal law that the federal government and the president set to enforce immigration policy." Reaction from 101st District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Hinsdale…
101st District State Representative Chris Miller, republican from Hinsdale
(Springfield–jc) –House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer has announced that Governor. J.B. Pritzker and the governors of Minnesota and New York will testify June 12 at a hearing on the state’s sanctuary policies. In January, Comer launched an investigation into the policies of sanctuary jurisdictions and their impact on public safety and federal immigration enforcement. The committee is also requesting documents and communications related to their states’ sanctuary policies.
(Washington–jc) Soybean planting continues to run at a fast pace this Spring. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the numbers…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Undated–jc) One area lawmaker is critical of Illinois Governor J B Pritzker for what he feels is to look for a step up and a run for President. With the Trump presidency in just over 100 days, 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon, says the focus for Pritzker should be to get Illinois going in the right direction, not looking for a new job…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Paxton-jm) – The man accused of attacking his former girlfriend with a weapon in Paxton last year is charged with attempted first-degree murder. Ford County State's Attorney Andrew Killian , filed one count of attempted first-degree murder against 33-year-old Jerome Burkes last month. Burkes was released on a GPS ankle monitor, but later violated the conditions of that release. Last week, authorities arrested Burkes in Champaign. He was charged with violation of conditions of pretrial release, and Killian filed a petition to revoke his pretrial release. Burkes is facing charges that if convicted, could earn him between six to 30 years in prison. Police say the incident happened on South High Street in Paxton
(Paxton–jc) There is officially another package liquor license in the city of Paxton. Paxton council members approved the sale of alcohol at Kirby Foods. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the request by the new owners of the grocery store is moving forward…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Loda–jc) The Loda Sportsman Club Fishing Derby is set for Saturday from 10am until 2pm. Loda Sportsman Club Spokesperson Chad Riggleman says the free event is open to youth up to age 16…
Loda Sportsman Club Spokesperson Chad Riggleman
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College recently added two more new electric vehicle charging stations on campus. These new charging stations, located in the B7 parking lot, are now available to use thanks to the help of an Illinois Green Economy Network grant. As part of the college’s annual membership fee, IGEN awards Parkland a $5,000 grant to use for green initiative projects across campus.
Parkland Physical Plant Director Troy Burns notes the college has been using these grants to expand the EV charging footprint on campus for the past several years.
The two new EV charging stations join three others in the southwest corner of the B7 parking lot and four EV charging stations in front of the Parkhill Applied Technology Center on campus.
SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, countless parents of students with disabilities are missing a powerful opportunity to plan for their child’s future – simply because they do not know it exists. An initiative backed by 52nd District State Senator Paul Faraci, Democrat from champaign, aims to change that by reshaping how information about critical resources reaches families who need them most. Under Faraci’s measure, the Illinois State Treasurer’s office would be required to issue Illinois ABLE materials to the parents or guardians of students with new or existing 504 Plans by the 2026-2027 school year. . Distributing Illinois ABLE program information ensures all eligible families, regardless of the nature of the disability, are aware of the financial resources available to them.
(Urbana-jm) – The man accused of a fatal hit-and-run that killed two women in Urbana is now charged with federal false identification crimes. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury indicted 29-year-old Julio Cucul-Bol, a Guatemalan national, on charges of possessing a false permanent resident card, possessing a false Social Security card, false use of a passport and making a false statement on a bank application. He is associated with addresses in both Rantoul and Urbana.
(The Center Square) – A new report shows that many Illinoisans are breathing unhealthy air. Researchers with the American Lung Association said that Illinois is one of the worst states for levels of smog in the entire country. Of the 23 counties where data was available, 21 counties received a failing grade. Overall, the report found 46% of Americans, or more than 156 million people, live in areas of the country with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution.
(The Center Square) – A visit to Springfield Wednesday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sparking debate over Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies. Noem flew into Springfield’s airport and then went to a Springfield DHS processing center to talk with federal agents and two non-citizens being processed. Reaction to the visit from Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie of Savannah…
Illinois House Minority Leader Republican Tony McCombie of Savannah.
(Springfield–jc)-- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has released a new video inviting Canadian travelers to visit Illinois, reaffirming the state’s strong relationship with Canada as a key tourism partner. The Illinois Office of Tourism is also launching a new social media campaign this week on Facebook and Instagram in Canada, featuring the state’s Middle of Everything campaign and messaging that highlights Illinois as a welcoming destination for all.
(Washington–jc) Good weather this week will help accelerate the corn planting in East Central Illinois, state and the nation. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the latest corn planting numbers…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(DuQuoin–jc) –The Du Quoin State Fair is announcing that renowned frontman and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Lee Roth will take the Grandstand stage on Saturday, August 23rd. As the lead singer of the legendary band Van Halen, Roth helped define an era with anthems like “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.” Tickets for the David Lee Roth concert will be available Friday, May 9 beginning at 10 a.m. The Du Quoin State Fair runs from August 22 through September 1.
(Rantoul–jc) Village of Rantoul clean up day is set for Saturday. The hours of the event are from 8am until noon at the Galaxy Drive location. Village of Rantoul Community Development Specialist Brian Hunt says more information is found on the villages website…
Village of Rantoul Community Development Specialist Brian Hunt.
The event is open to village residents who pay for garbage services
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.
