(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker has signed into law a bill that mandates state-regulated health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. The newly signed legislation, identified as Bill Number SB0126, also requires coverage for medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease and for diagnostic testing necessary for physicians to treat the condition.

 

(Greenup–jc)  –A person died Monday after being struck by a semi truck after exiting an ambulance in downstate Illinois. According to Illinois State Police, the incident occurred after authorities responded to a crash on Interstate 70 near Greenville. Police report after receiving treatment, the pedestrian involved in the crash exited the ambulance and was struck by a tractor-trailer.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – The next step to make the new 55 point 2 Billion dollar state budget law is the signature of Illinois Governor J B Pritzker. The budget added 1 Billion dollars in new taxes and 2 Billion dollars in more spending. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet, says the democrats in the majority can not blame anyone, but themselves, for the increase in taxes and spending. Rose added that the democrats did not address property tax relief, either…

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet

 

(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have decreased by 3 cents per gallon over the past week, now averaging $3.31 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations across the state. This marks a 9.7-cent drop from a month ago and a significant 44.3-cent decrease compared to the same time last year.

 

(Melvin–dm)-The Ford County Fair runs from June 22nd through the 28th.  On Monday June 23rd, four contestants will be vying for the title of Miss Ford County Fair Queen.  Ford County Fair Queen Pageant Director Kirsten Wyatt tells us who those four contestants are.

   

Ford County Fair Queen Pageant Director Kirsten Wyatt

 

(Paxton–jc)  – Paxton City leaders will look at putting a non-binding resolution on the November ballot concerning backyard chicken projects when they meet tonight in  monthly session. Council members may also increase the number of liquor licenses for the city of Paxton.  A re-development agreement with Lindsey Dilks is another subject for tonight. Replacing a squad car is also on the agenda. The Paxton City Council meets at 7 pm on the second floor of city hall

 

(Crescent City–dm)-This weekend, the village of Crescent City will host their Fireball festival celebration.  Fireball festival chairperson Grace Seggebruch looks at some of the activities...

   

Fireball Festival chairperson Grace Seggebruch.  Other activities Saturday include a Bar-b-que smoke off, At 11 am on Saturday, the grand parade kicks off and the day will end with the commode races.  Sunday features a community church service featuring A Natural High.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker prepares to testify about the state's migrant sanctuary policies in the wake of violent protests in California around immigration enforcement. Riots through the weekend between protesters and state and local law enforcement in Los Angeles led to the Trump administration calling in the National Guard. The governor will be in the nation’s capitol on Thursday

 

(Springfield–jc) With the spring legislative session concluded and a massive state budget passed by both houses, one legislator says an economic development committee he serves on, did NOT meet. Reaction from Republican 101st District State Representative Chris Miller of Hindsboro…

101st District State Representative Chris Miller Republican from Hindsboro

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is asking for help through Crime Stoppers in finding the people who stole $800 worth of merchandise from Meijer, but tried to get away with four times more in value. Officials said the theft happened the night of May 28. At approximately 9:12 p.m., three people walked into Champaign’s Meijer and loaded several totes with merchandise, which they then put into a cart. One of the subjects was wearing a black and yellow Meijer jacket, and they pushed the cart outside and met up with the others. The total amount of merchandise they had was more than $3,200, but loss prevention staff confronted them and recovered 75% of what the trio tried to steal. Officials said they still got away with $800 worth of merchandise.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Plans continue for the 20-25 4th of July celebration in the city of Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper provides some information on that morning’s activities…

   

Paxton MainsStreet Executive Director Donna Pepper

 

(The Center Square) – A new study paints a bleak picture of the economic health of Illinois. The personal finance website WalletHub has released its findings of the best and worst state economies. Researcher Chip Lugo said Wallethub used three economic categories including economic activity, economic health and innovation potential. Overall, the study ranked Illinois 40th for its state economy but dead last in the economic health category.  Illinois ranked 48th in change in nonfarm payrolls, 41st in economic activity, and scored poorly for high foreclosure rates and the state’s unemployment rate. Illinois’ unemployment rate is 4.8%, one of the highest in the country, and is in the top-10 for states with the biggest increases in unemployment claims.

 

USDA–dm)-Crop growers have an important date coming up to report this year’s crop acreage – an important component for participation in various USDA programs. Rod Bain has more infromaton.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield will celebrate freedom this month with an array of special Juneteenth events, including a free exhibition of a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Lincoln himself. Starting as a local holiday in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth has grown into a national celebration of slavery’s end in America. A key moment in the march toward freedom was Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which ordered an end to enslavement for millions of Americans.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours on Thursday, June 12th from 5:30-7:30 pm at The Fringe.

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, June 13th from 9-10 at 185 W. Sangamon Avenue in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.

 

Father’s Day garage sale days in Onarga are Friday June 13th through Sunday June 15th. The event is sponsored by the Onarga Chamber of Commerce

 

A joint blood drive between Gibson Area Hospital and the  Gibson Auxiliary center takes place Friday, June 13 from 9:30 - 3:30. 

 

The 2025 Milford Fun Days will take place June 13-15. On the 13th its the Lions Club Fish Fry from 4-7pm. On the 14th, its the parade at 10:30 am, kid zone from 11-4, car show 11:30-4, live music with Mellencougar from 12-3, bags tournament at 1 and golf car scavenger hunt at 3. On the 15th its a community church service at 9.