(The Center Square) – Consumer groups say Nicor customers could face a record rate increase if the gas utility doesn’t reduce unnecessary spending on infrastructure. Nicor has asked the Illinois Commerce Commission for a $308.6 million rate hike. Citizens Utility Board Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said the proposal includes a lavish profit rate for Nicor shareholders and wasteful spending on executive bonuses. Public Interest Research Group Illinois Director Abe Scarr recommended that Nicor cut $80 million from its planned pipeline spending.The ICC is expected to rule on Nicor’s rate request in November.

 

(The Center Square) – As the debate continues over an Illinois measure to require firearms to be stored in a safe, with a cable lock or inoperable under certain circumstances, the state of Illinois is responding to a ruling that the state’s gun and magazine ban is unconstitutional.  Senate Bill 8 passed the Senate last month. In the House Gun Violence Prevention Committee Wednesday, House sponsor state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, said the measure seeks to reduce harm.

   

Illinois Rep. Maura Hirschaur, D.-Batavia

Josh Witkowski with Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources said the safe storage element runs afoul of U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

 

Ill. Federation for outdoor Resources spokesperson Josh Witkowski

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Rantoul Township High School board members are set to hire a speech therapy provider for the next school year when they meet tonight. Purchasing a school bus and approving the contract with Carle Hospital for Athletic training services are also on the agenda. School board members are also expected to add girls soccer to the sports choice at the high school. The rantoul Township High School board meets at 6pm tonight at the high school. 

 

(Mahomet–jc)  – A Champaign County task force is looking  at protections for the Mahomet Aquifer. WPXN’s Joel  Cluver has the story…

 

 

(Champaign–dm)-A study conducted by the Center for Prevention Research and Development at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals the amount of alcohol and drug use among Illinois teens. In 2024, data showed that alcohol use by teens in Illinois was nearly double the national average. Almost 14% of Illinois students said they had consumed alcohol during the last 30 days, compared to about 7% of students nationwide. About 10% of Illinois eighth graders reported they had received alcohol through home delivery services.

 

(Chicago–jc)  Landmarks Illinois has announced the 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. The list highlights 10 culturally and architecturally significant sites across the state facing disinvestment and demolition threats. The list includes Chicago Vocational High School, The Spivey Building in East. St. Louis, and numerous historic barns around the state featuring mural advertisements for Meramec Caverns.

 

(Gilman–dm)-Gilman Old Boy’s Celebration in Gilman has been a tradition since 1896.  This year’s celebration is going on August 7th -10th. Besides the regular activities like the parade, music at the beer tent and the “style show” there will be some new activities going on.  Old Boy’s Committee Chairperson Robert Sinn has more.

Old Boys Committee Chairperson Robert Sinn.

 

(The Center Square) – As worshippers in Illinois praise God and take pride in the new Catholic pope’s local connections, a Chicago-based bishop is reminding the faithful that the Holy Father is about much more than his native community. Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV after he was elected by his fellow cardinals last week. The new pope was born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago and grew up in south suburban Dolton. Auxiliary Bishop Larry Sullivan of the Archdiocese of Chicago addressed worshippers at Holy Name Cathedral on Friday morning.After Mass, Sullivan told reporters he thinks any candidate elected would have brought a sense of unity. The new pope’s brother, John Prevost, lives in New Lenox. John Prevost and others have said the former Cardinal Robert Prevost is a White Sox fan. Sullivan told reporters after Mass that the pope is a child of God first.

 

(The Center Square) – The bankruptcy of Lion Electric, which opened its Joliet plant just two years ago, is raising concerns among grassroots groups about the stability of Illinois' taxpayer-funded EV incentives. Once a cornerstone of Illinois governor. J.B. Pritzker’s green agenda, Lion Electric’s Joliet plant will auction its equipment on May 15 after declaring bankruptcy, despite a $50 million state incentive. Darrell Bruck, co-founder of the Kankakee-based group Outrage, calls it a “cautionary tale” for taxpayers. The group opposes the Gotion battery plant in Manteno, which got $125 million upfront from a $536 million state package. Bruck sees it as a parallel to the Lion Electric case.

 

(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.

Illinois Pork Producers Association spokesperson Jennifer Tyree.

Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters told committee members even with challenges, Illinois’ beef production is growing.

            

Illinois Beef Association Executive V.P. Josh St. Peters

 

(Paxton–dm)-May 11th through the 17th is National Women’s Health Week 2025.

Ford County Public Health Dept. Administrator Glenn Miller provides more…

 

 

Ford County Public Health Deptartment Administrator Glenn Miller

 

The Center Square) – As Illinois enters the height of tornado season, weather forecasters now have a new way to predict dangerous storms.  It's called Hazard Services, a modernization of the software framework used by the National Weather Service to issue watches, warnings and advisories. The software combines three legacy products into one system with the flexibility to message a variety of hazard types. Danial Nietfeld, with Global Systems Laboratory, said the project was a major undertaking.It’s built on a flexible software framework designed to allow for new science, policy, and technological improvements to be transformed into information that helps people make decisions about how to respond to protect themselves and their loved ones.   The new system is getting good reviews. One forecaster in Pittsburgh said the system cut the time from deciding to issue a warning to actually issuing a warning from half a minute to 10 seconds.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Ford County leaders are expected to approve all ARPA claims when they meet in monthly session tonight in Paxton. The local county board will also hear a report on its farmland and discuss the Illinois Recreational access program. A new printer contract is also on the agenda. The Ford County board meets tonight at 6 in the sheriff’s board room at the county courthouse in Paxton. 

 

(Washington–jc)  –  The first six months of the current agricultural trade year are in the books and what is the tally so far for exports and imports?  Rod Bain reports…

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois State Police  will attend National Police Week May 11 through May 17, 2025 in Washington D.C. ? National Police Week serves as a time to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, honor those who have served and continue to serve, and offer support to fellow officers and their loved ones. ? Trooper Corey Thompsen and Trooper Clay Carns both died tragically last year as the result of injuries sustained in traffic crashes. Trooper Thompsen and Trooper Carns will be honored throughout National Police Week in Washington D.C. ? National Police Week events, including the Candlelight Vigil and the National Memorial Service, are open to the public and allow families, friends, and coworkers to mourn the loss of their loved ones and honor their sacrifice.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

Iroquois Memorial Hospital’s Know Your Numbers Fair will take place today-17th from 7-10 am each day. Cost is $65. No appointments are necessary.

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, May 14th from 8-9 am.

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, May 15th from 9-930 at Edge Insurance in Buckley, 10-10:30 at Durham Park in Onarga, 11-11:30 at the Crescent City community center, 12:30-1 at the Watseka Trinity Church and 1:30-2 at the Milford post office.

 

Draggin Main and historical open houses will take place on Saturday, May 17th in downtown Paxton.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host Shady-A Live Tribute to Eminem on Saturday, May 17th at 8:30pm.