(Illinois–jc)  –Much of Illinois will get a taste of summer this week. A warm front will bring in windy conditions and more humidity Today with some areas of the state seeing 90 degree temperatures. There is also a threat of severe thunderstorms tonight .Temperatures are expected to remain above normal on Friday.

Ford County Emergency Management Agency officials have put a high Wind Advisory in effect through today and into Friday morning. During this time they ask that you refrain from any open burning such as(burning trash, campfires  winds are forecast to gust  at more than 40 miles per hour.

 

(Springfield–jc)-- A nationwide outage Wednesday impacted U.S. passport verification. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wrote on X just after 9:30 a.m. that "due to a nationwide outage, U.S. passport verification is currently unavailable." As of 11 a.m., a spokesperson for the secretary of state's office said they "activated a process" that enabled them to process U.S. passports and immigration documents at DMVs in Illinois.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate passed a bill Wednesday to allow more low-income college students to receive SNAP benefits. Nearly one in four undergraduate students don't know where their next meal is coming from. Sen. Graciela Guzman said Illinois should expand eligibility for students who participate in a government operated program that increases employability and job readiness. Senate Republicans appreciated the intent of the legislation but argued able-bodied college students should be working in order to receive SNAP benefits.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Yesterday was Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day at the Capitol in Springfield.   Hundreds of I-GOLD members were in the state capitol to lobby members of the General Assembly concerning gun owner rights. 88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur says protecting the second amendment is key for safety…

   

88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur

 

(Paxton-jm) – During this week’s meeting, the Paxton Park Board voted unanimously to spend capital funds on repairs to the community’s pool. Board members voted to spend 25 thousand dollars for the repairs. More information on the issue is found in the Ford County Chronicle. WPXN news will update this story as it develops

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – It's all about protecting the citizens of Iroquois County; looking out for their best interests.  That's the attitude of local officials in the approval of state-required ordinances for Solar, Wind and Battery Storage within Iroquois County. The Iroquois County Board members gave their approval to ordinances to help regulate applications and placement of such operations.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A teenager from Urbana has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the role he played in a shooting that left another teenager dead in 2023. Marquise McGuire entered an open plea in connection to the death of Montrell Emery in March of 2023. A judge will later decide his sentence. 16-year-old Emery was killed the morning of March 15, 2023, at Prairie Green Apartments in Urbana. Arif Jarrell, then 14 years old, another then-14-year-old and McGuire, then 16, planned to steal a gun that Emery was known to possess — it had a unique gold-colored barrel. During the robbery, Emery was shot in the back of the head.

 

(Paxton–jc)  If you saw a miniature zoo outside Accolade on Pells in Paxton there was a good reason. Workers at the local senior citizens home are celebrating National Nursing Home week with a wide variety of activities. That included the Bertrand's petting zoo on Wednesday. Accolade Activities Director Samantha Johnson says a picnic is planned today and games on Friday…

 

 

Accolade on Pells in Paxton Activity Director Samantha Johnson. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  With Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer approaching, police agencies will be taking part in a nationwide seatbelt enforcement initiative beginning tomorrow, and running through Memorial Day. Illinois enacted its seatbelt law 40 years ago. The law was altered in 2003, allowing police to pull over and issue a ticket to drivers who fail to buckle up. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Citizens Utility Board, Illinois PIRG and Environmental Defense Fund announced the findings of expert testimony on Ameren Illinois’ $134 million gas rate-hike request. Consumer advocates argued that Ameren Illinois is wrongfully attempting to charge its customers triple what it can justify under utility regulation. The advocates found more than $85 million in overcharges connected to issues in Ameren’s rate-hike request. This is Ameren’s fourth rate-hike request since 2018. In that time, the utility has raised gas delivery rates by $202 million, or 50 percent.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Some leaders in Springfield are warning of an energy cost crisis this summer. State Rep. Dave Severin, Republican from Benton, says there is an urgent need for hearings…

 

 

116th district State Representative David Severin, Republican from Benton. Severins says  the recent Midcontinent Independent System Operator capacity auction  returned a shocking 666- per Megawatt-day price across all zones this summer. That same price just one year ago was $30. He said Illinois' energy policies are to blame for the recent huge spikes in energy costs for Illinois utility customers.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – One area school will be searching for a new principal. Rantoul Township High School Principal Todd Wilson has been named the next superintendent of the Prairieview Ogden School District. Wilson started at Rantoul Township High School 18 years ago becoming principal three years later. He starts at Prairieview Ogden on July 1st.

 

(Danville-jm) – The skies above the Balloons Over Vermilion festival are set to become even more vibrant with the arrival of two beloved hot air balloons, "Police Dog" and "Fire Dog," at the 2025 event. The Balloons Over Vermilion Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, at the Vermilion Regional Airport. Visitors can enjoy balloon launches, a kids zone, family activities, food vendors, and the magic of seeing these whimsical characters take flight. More than 30 hot air balloons are expected at this years event.

 

(Washington–juc)  What is the latest on the winter wheat crop. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the details…

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

 

(Illinois–jc)  Illinois FFA Chapters and Collegiate Farm Bureaus raised a total of 206,084 pounds of food, volunteered nearly 7,500 hours and donated over $54,000 during the 2024-25 “Harvest for All” campaign. Harvest for All is a statewide service program that supports local communities by addressing food insecurity through volunteerism, food donations and fundraising. Illinois FFA chapters competed within their respective sections, with 25 schools named Section Winners based on their service efforts.  

 

(Springfield–jc  0  – The Illinois State Museum invites the public to a volunteer recruitment night on Thursday, May 22. Volunteer opportunities include being a greeter, assisting with special programs and education events, being a play museum facilitator, and helping with off-site events such as the museum’s Illinois State Fair tent. The Illinois State Museum was established in 1877.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on today 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.

 

Gibson City will have a car cruise Friday. Music by JMT Trio and food will be available.

 

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.

 

The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup starting Monday, May 26th and going from the west side of town to the east side.