(Chicago–dm)-After visiting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Chicago this week, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives said assaults on ICE officers have risen by 413%. Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson told Fox News he wanted the brave men and women of ICE to know that Republicans have their back. The speaker said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is on the wrong side of the law.
(Channahon–jc)-- –Trooper Clay Carns’ name will be affixed permanently on the Illinois State Police Memorial Park wall this morning. In December 2024, just two days before Christmas, Carns was outside his squad car removing debris from I-55 near Channahon when he was struck by a passing vehicle. He died at the hospital from his injuries. The memorial wall is in Springfield, north of the ISP headquarters.
(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Department of Health says the state has one reported case of listeria related to chicken fettuccine alfredo packages sold at Walmart and Kroger. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that FreshRealm has recalled Marketside and Home Chef products linked to the listeria outbreak. Three deaths and one fetal loss were reported in connection with the outbreak and at least 17 people have been sickened.
(The Center Square) – Republicans continue to challenge what they say is an abusive process employed by Illinois Democrats to pass controversial legislation with little oversight. Last week, several Illinois Republicans filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County Circuit Court to challenge how the budget was approved. The allegation is that the Democratic supermajority short circuits the three readings rule. The Illinois Freedom Caucus says its lawsuit is set to be heard July 3.
More from 93rdd District Republican State Representative. Travis Weaver..
93rd District Republican State Rep Travis Weaver .
(Paxton-bp) – The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois ran through Paxton Thursday afternoon, Community first Coordinator for Cook County Sheriff Police Penny Matac says the run is a good way to promote “Special Olympics”...
Community first Coordinator for Cook County Sheriff Police Penny Matac..
The torch run then headed towards Gibson City Thursday afternoon and will arrive at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University today.
(Gibson City–jc) - Your chance to help veterans from Ford County is coming in July. The Ford County American Legion Riders are hosting a hometown heroes run on July 19th in Gibson City. Stops include Chatsworth, Ashkum Watseka, Cissna Park and Elliott. All vehicles are welcome to participate. Sign up is set at the Gibson City American Legion on July 19th from 9am to 10-30am. The ride begins at 11. Food Music and a silent auction are also part of the fundraiser.
(Milford–jc) Several dozen of the nearly 500 cows displaced by the storms on Wednesday are still on the loose in Southern Iroquois County. The inclement weather caused damage to the Knauth family farm near Milford. Most of the cattle were rounded up on Wednesday and Thursday, but the search for the final group continues this morning.
(Roberts–bp) – A Free Produce Pantry And Health Fair will be held at the Roberts Village Gym one week from today. The event is set for Friday June 27th from 3 to 5 pm. Jeremiah 33-6 spokesperson Doctor Valarerie Wright has the public invite to the event…..
Jeremiah 33-6 Spokesperson Doctor Valerie Wright..
(Cissna Park–jc) –– Dollar General is now open in Cissna Park The new DG 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 is hosting a grand opening event tomorrow starting at 8 am. $10 complimentary gift cards to the first 50 adult customers and DG tote bags to the first 100 customers. The Cissna Park Dollar General will creat 10 to 15 jobs in the Cissna Park community
(Melvin–dm)-The Ford County Fair Starts Sunday June 22 at The Fairgrounds in Melvin. What are the activities in the grand stand this year. Ford County Fair Spokesperson Kirsten Wyatt has the schedule…
Ford County Fair Spokesperson Kirsten Wyatt
(Chicago–dm)-The owner of a Chicago laboratory has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a fraudulent COVID-19 testing scheme. A judge also ordered 46-year-old Zishan Alvi of Inverness to pay more than $14 million in restitution and forfeit $8 million in cash plus three vehicles. Prosecutors say Alvi submitted tens of thousands of claims for tests that were not performed as billed.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding the public that along with the start of summer, mosquito season is underway in Illinois. With this comes the risk of West Nile virus , which has been confirmed from environmental samples in 17 counties around the state so far this year. The reminder comes as public health officials around the country are highlighting the importance of taking action to “Fight the Bite” during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, this week. No human cases of WNV have been reported in Illinois so far this year,
(Springfield–dm) – Along with the lawsuit challenging the budget’s passage, Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran, Republican from Downers Grove, and House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Republican from-Savanna, are suing over the passage of Senate Bill 3-28. Curran said if enacted, the measure will increase frivolous lawsuits and further hurt Illinois’ business climate....
Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran..
(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman says he’ll consider voters’ voices statewide before deciding whether to potentially challenge Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who’s facing growing scrutiny after testifying before the U.S. House Oversight Committee. Pritzker has not officially announced he’s seeking a third term for the 2026 gubernatorial election, but Illinois U.S. Rep Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, didn’t rule out running against him for governor. La Hood says he loves being a Congressman and is going to listen to voters in his decision about running for Governor.
(Onarga–dm)-Onarga’s 4th of July celebration is going to last 2 days. On Friday July 4th, the beer tent with live music will be going on from 4pm till Midnight. The majority of events will take place on Saturday July 5th. Onarga Chamber of Commerce President Randy Lizzio has more.
Onarga Chamber of Commerce President Randy Lizzio. The fireworks display will begin at dusk on Saturday evening.
(Paxton–jc) The current Miss Ford County Fair Queen is Kate Wilson of Paxton. She will give her crown to one of 4 contestants on Monday night in Melvin. 20-24 Miss Ford County Fair Queen Kate Wilson says she had a fun year, representing Ford County…
20-24 Miss Ford County Fair Queen Kate Wilson of Paxton
WPXN will be live with a facebook page report on Monday with at the pageant in Melvin.
WPXN NEWS NOTES
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, June 20th from 9-930 across from the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at the corner of Main and Melvin Streets in Thawville, 11-11:30 across from Melvin Convenient, 12:15-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, 1-1:30 at the Elliott village hall and 2-2:30 at the north side of the Paxton fire station.
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 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.
The 2025 Rankin Celebration will take place Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th. On Friday night its the tractor pulls at 6pm. Saturday it kicks off at 8 am with the 5k run walk, church service at 10 am, vendors 11-8, kids games 12:30-1:30, car show 1-4, bags tournament at 1, cake walk 1:30, live music 2-8, kids water ball competition 2:30, petting zoo at 4 and fireworks at dusk.
