(Springfield–jc) – Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg’s rookie baseball card, “Star Wars” comic books, a Yoda Pez dispenser, Elvis Presley coins, a 1995-W $50 Gold Eagle coin, and stamp collections are among the unclaimed property items the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is auctioning online now through June 22.

A total of 200 lots will be auctioned, some featuring multiple items. To view auction items, go to the catalog on the HiBid website. Photos of some items also are on the State Treasurer’s Office website here.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker signed the fiscal year 2026 budget into law Monday. The 55 point 1  Billion dollar spending plan is the largest in state history. This year’s budget boosts spending on education and healthcare. There will also be new taxes on businesses, sports betting and nicotine products to help raise an additional 700 million dollars in revenue. Governor Pritzker says this is another balanced budget, despite what he calls chaos and ineptitude from President Donald Trump…

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. A new 100 million dollar fund that the governor can use for emergencies is also a part of this year’s budget. The new budget year starts on July 1st.

 

(Roberts-jm) – Illinois Route 54 was shut down near Roberts following a crash Monday morning. It happened at the intersection with Route 115. State Police officials said that an oversized load went off the roadway. State Police said that the truck was hauling a large generator, and no injuries are being reported. The road was closed for about 3 hours.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois’ migration patterns were the subject of several lines of questioning for Gov. J.B. Pritzker during a U.S. House hearing on migrant sanctuary states. When confronted with the state’s negative population trends at last week’s hearing, Pritzker pushed back against U.S. Rep. John McGuire, Republican from -Virginia.

   

U.S. Rep John McGuire , Republican from Virginia.  Illinois U.S. Representative . Darin LaHood, Republican from -Peoria, confronted Pritzker about the state’s population trends during the hearing.

   

U.S.Representative . Darin LaHood Republican from Peoria

 

(Champaign-jm) – Herff Jones, a prominent name in graduation and achievement products, has announced plans to expand its operations in Arcola as part of a broader initiative to modernize its manufacturing footprint. This move will involve the closure of the company's Champaign facility by March 2026. The Arcola facility will take over the full scope of production. Meanwhile, distribution services will be relocated to the company's headquarters in Indianapolis.

 

(Onarga–dm)-The 4th of July is just a couple of weeks away, and the Village of Onarga is having a 2 day celebration, Friday the 4th and Saturday July 5th.  Onarga Chamber of Commerce President Randy Lizzio tells us about Friday the 4th’s activities.

   

Onarga Chamber of Commerce President Randy Lizzio.  Along with the parade on Saturday, a full day of activities including music, food ,inflatables and more.  Plus the fireworks display at dusk.

 

 

(GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.)  Dollar General is excited to announce its new D-G Market along Route 49 north in Cissna Park is now open! The new D-G Market store features an expanded selection of fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, as well as the same categories, brands and products customers trust Dollar General to carry. To celebrate, the Company plans to host a grand opening event on Saturday at 8am, which will include $10 complimentary gift cards to the first 50 adult customers and DG tote bags to the first 100 customers. Dollar General plans to create new jobs in the Cissna Park community as the store is expected to employ approximately 10-15 people, depending on the individual needs of the store. Those interested may apply on-line.

 

(Chicago–jc)  –Aside from signing the budget package Monday, Illinois Goernor. J.B. Pritzker signed seven other measures into law. One creates due process for people denied their firearm privileges. Opponents said it’s not due process to administratively take away Second Amendment rights. Another measure delays the effective date of prohibiting banking institutions from charging debit and credit card fees on transactions involving taxes and tips. That law is currently tied up in federal court. Next years fiscal budget sees nearly 1 Billion dollars in new taxes and 2 Billion dollars in new spending. The budget price tag is 55 point 1 Billion dollars. 

 

(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have increased by 9.4 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching an average of $3.41 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations in the state. This marks a 3.9-cent increase from a month ago, though prices remain 31.0 cents per gallon lower than the same time last year. Nationally, the average price of gasoline has risen by 1.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.08 per gallon. This national average is down 9.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 32.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has also seen an increase, rising 4.0 cents in the last week to $3.488 per gallon.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Re development agreements and new businesses continue to locate in the city of Paxton. Over the weekend, Main Scoop opened a new ice cream store in the State Street Mall along route 45 in Paxton and Oakwood Fire and Pizzeria opened on the cities west side near Interstate 57. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says a large group of people from a wide variety of committees and city officials, continue to work together for the best interests of Paxton…

 

Paxton MainStreet Executive Director Donna Pepper

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is investigating more instances of retail theft from the city’s Meijer, and they are again asking for help from the public through Crime Stoppers. Officials already asked for help last week on a retail theft that happened on May 28. They said that in the two weeks that followed, there were four more thefts from the store between June 1 and June 10. All of the suspects used bags, coolers or store carts to conceal items and then left without paying. Some of the items were recovered by staff at the store exit, but the thieves still got away with $1,500 worth of items.

 

(The Center Square) – Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts are expected to increase in northern Illinois as the Trump administration continues to focus on deporting illegal aliens. At an unrelated event in Canada, President Donald Trump was asked about targeting certain cities for immigration enforcement. The President says the focus is on sanctuary cities. Trump called Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker “probably the worst” governor in the country.

 

(The Center Square) – Although former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was expected to pay a $2.5 million fine quickly, his time in prison won’t begin until at least October. Judge John Robert Blakey ordered Madigan to immediately pay the $2.5 million, which was the maximum statutory fine the judge was allowed to impose. Madigan’s 90-month prison sentence is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on Oct. 13. The ex-speaker’s defense attorneys suggested in court last Friday they would file a motion to appeal.

 

(Paxton–jc)  There are several new events set for the 4th of July in the city of Paxton. The Paxton Park District is hosting a Pickleball tournament and bags tournament. Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman has the details…

 

 

Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman

 

Champaign County, Illinois – The Champaign County Board and the Scott M. Bennett Dedication Committee invite the public to attend the building dedication celebration on Wednesday, July 16th, in memory of the late state Senator Scott M. Bennett. Senator Bennett served his community with an uncommon blend of humility, passion, and tireless dedication. A proud native of Gibson City and longtime resident of Champaign County, he championed causes that profoundly improved the lives of everyday Illinoisans.The dedication celebration will take place from 4pm-5pm at the main entrance of the Bennett Center, on the south side off Main Street.

 

WPXN News notes…

The Champaign County Master Gardeners will hold their annual Garden Walk on Saturday, June 21st from 9-4. This year's event, themed "Designing Our Gardens”. Attendees can enjoy a self-guided tour of six private home gardens and two public gardens throughout Champaign County. Tickets are $10 a piece.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the Bayles Lake Auxiliary on Saturday June 21st from 10-2.

 

The Paxton Park District Picnic in the Park Food Truck Edition will take place Saturday, June 21st from 11-3 at Coady Park in Paxton. Its free to attend. Merchants to participate its $75 food vendors $100.

 

The 2025 Ford County Fair will take place June 22-28 at the fairgrounds in Melvin. On the 22nd its the Jackpot Breeding Gilt Show at 5pm. On the 23rd rides open at 6 with the Queen Pageant at 7. On the 24th, the Little Mister and Miss pageant begins at 5:30 with family night $15 armbands at 6. On the 25th and 26th its the Illiana Truck and Tractor Pulls. On the 27th, Country Music recording artist and recent Winner of the Masked Singer, Gretchen Wilson will perform at 7:30. On the 28th, its the Demolition Derby at 6:30.

 

The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup starting Monday, June 23rd and going from the west side of town to the east side.

 

The Iroquois County Public Health Department will hold a safe sitter class on Tuesday, June 24th and Wednesday, June 25th from 9-noon for kids grades 6-8. Registration is $50. Call 815-432-2483 to sign up.