(Springfield-jm) – A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could improve public safety while addressing the state's appeals process for FOID card decisions. Sponsors said the plan will provide more due process for people whose FOID cards are revoked or denied. Anyone can lose their FOID card if they are reported to the Illinois State Police as a danger to themselves or others by medical professionals, law enforcement, or school officials. House Bill 850 could establish an expedited review process for people who believe they have been wrongly deemed a clear and present danger. Gun owners would be able to receive any information related to their case and object to redactions they feel are necessary for a full and fair review.
(Champaign–jc) Road work continues on the Interstate 74 and Interstate 57 major interchange project. Nighttime closures continue this Spring and Summer. The I-74 westbound ramp was shut down for several hours late last night and early this morning. I-Dot officials say shut downs will be kept to a minimum and done overnights, if possible.
(Peoria–jc) Illinois Governor J B Pritzker announced several grants to Illinois companies, including several in the area. WPXN’s Brayden Perzee has the story…
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(Springfield-jm) – The theme of the 2025 Illinois State Fair will be Adventure Awaits. The Twilight Parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 7. That starts the 11-day celebration at the state fairgrounds. The Illinois State Fair is accepting parade entries through July 8. For more information visit statefair.illinois.gov or call the Special Events office at 217.782.0777.
(Washington–-bp) Preparing for Heat Stress, U-S-D-A meteorologist Brad Rippey provides some information on a combination of methods, which is needed by cattle producers to help mitigate potential impacts to their livestock associated with heat stress.
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U-S-D-A meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Undated-jm) – Friday the law enforcement torch run for Special Olympics will be making its way through the area. Runners are starting in Chebanse around 7 am and expected to be in Paxton sometime between 10:30 and noon before heading west to Gibson City.
(Paxton–jc) – A pickleball tournament is coming to the 4th of July celebration in Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says the event is being sponsored by the Paxton Park District…
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Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man was arrested on child exploitation and child pornography charges after a joint investigation. Officers with the Urbana Police Department arrested Carson Zajdel, 38, at his residence in the 1900 block of N. Lincoln Avenue. Zajdel was taken into custody without incident on multiple preliminary charges related to the exploitation of children. The arrest follows a joint investigation between the Urbana Police Department and the Hopkinsville, Kentucky Police Department. As a result of the investigation, Zajdel is facing initial charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Possession of Child Pornography. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional charges may be considered as evidence continues to be reviewed.
(Springfield-jm) – After months of demands from after-school advocates and tough budget decisions, lawmakers have allocated $35 million for after-school programs in the budget they passed at the end of May. When Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the new budget into law, the $35 million will be directed to the Illinois State Board of Education to distribute. Advocates for after-school programs said they are now at the mercy of the Illinois State Board of Education, and that the agency typically distributes funds to school districts. Previously, the funding was supposed to be split into two groups half to school districts and the other half to nonprofits. The general assembly didn’t reappropriate the $50 millions to the next year fund.
(Mount Vernon–jc) The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a group of Jefferson County residents in an effort to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the lawn of the county’s courthouse in Mt. Vernon, citing concerns over religious neutrality and constitutional violations. The monument, which stands nearly seven feet tall and features a Protestant version of the Ten Commandments, was moved from inside the courthouse to the lawn last year. The ACLU argues that the monument signals a government endorsement of a particular religious perspective.
(Melvin–jc) – The Ford County Fair starts on June 22nd and runs through June 28th. WPXN’s Brayden Perzee has the details…
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(Ashmore–jc) An Illinois Lottery player cleared over half a million dollars with a winning ticket bought at a small town downstate gas station. The FastPlay Cash Castle ticket was purchased at the Fast Stop gas station in Ashmore, which is located east of Charleston. The winning ticket is the third-largest Cash Castle jackpot won since the game's launch on Feb. 27.
(Hoopeston-jm) – Workers at a Hoopeston business are on strike over work changes but now the company says they are in the process of hiring replacements. Teasdale Latin Foods employees went on strike nearly two weeks ago after the union said the company wants to take away their hours, personal days and change their point systems. Currently, employees work 12-hour shifts, four days a week. But the company wants to change that to eight-hour shifts, five days a week. The company sent out a letter to employees notifying them they are hiring permanent replacements within the next 48 hours. Employees who want to return to work were expected to send in a form. If their position hasn’t been filled they would be able to return to that position. However, if their position had been filled, they would be put on a preferential recall list.
(Washington-jm) – On Wednesday, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the availability of $42 million in grants to help homeless veterans. The VA announced that these grants would be distributed to eligible organizations to assist veterans who are homeless and those at risk of homelessness with a number of legal services. Grant applications are due by 3 p.m. CT on July 7. Organizations can apply for grants worth up to $500,000, which will fund operations for a two-year period from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2027. To learn more about the grant program eligibility and award process, visit federalregister.gov or email lsv@va.gov.
(Urbana–jc) Don’t stress out planning or on your vacation. OSF’s Tim Ditman has the story…
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(Chicago–jc) Fans looking to own a piece of Chicago cinematic history will soon get the opportunity. Items from several films set in the Chicago area, including “Home Alone,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Blues Brothers,” are up for auction through Heritage Auctions. Matthew Broderick’s military beret from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” will be up for grabs with an opening bid of $6,000. The auction runs through July 18 on Heritage Auctions’ website.
WPXN News Notes…
The Rantoul Rotary District 6490 will hold an Installation Event and Business Expo on the former Chanute Air Force Base on Saturday, June 14th. The expo will run from 10-4 with the installation happening at 4:30pm.
The 2025 Mahomet Soda Fest will take place on Saturday, June 14th from 10-6.
The 2025 Crescent City Fireball Festival is this weekend in the city.
The Shop in the Park in Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, June 14th from 9-1. Activities include music by Tony Erazmus, Illini basketball legend Dee Brown will be signing autographs from 11-1 and vendors will be set up.
The 2025 Buckley Fun Day is set for Saturday, June 14th. The day starts with the Ladies Aid bake sale and sportsman's club fishing derby at 9 am, tractor show from 10-2, golfing into the lake from 11-1, kids inflatables from 11-2, barrel train rides from 11-2, 4-H coloring contest from 11-12, tractor parade at noon, bingo from 1-2, kids tractor pull at 2 and the Lions Club duck race at 3:17.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the Knights of Columbus on Saturday June 14th from 10-2.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours this evening from 5:30-7:30 pm at The Fringe.
