(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is expected to announce this week that he will seek a third term as the state's governor in 2026, according to multiple reports. Multiple media outlets report Pritzker is expected to make the announcement on Thursday in Springfield and Chicago. Illinois does not have term limits for governors. His name has also been floated as a possible 2028 candidate for President of the United States. Pritzker, a Democrat, was first elected in 2018 after defeating incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner. Pritzker tallied 55 percent of the vote

 

(Iroquois County–jc)-- A Memphis Tennessee woman was fatally injured in a two car crash in Iroquois County on Tuesday afternoon. In updating our story from yesterday, police say 97 year old Mattie Robertson was the fatality. The accident happened along Interstate 57 near Ashkum. Traffic was rerouted for several hours from Gilman to Ashkum. 

 

 (Ludlow–jc)  Three people are dead after a two car crash west of Ludlow on Tuesday afternoon. Champaign County authorities says the accident happened just before 5pm in Ludlow Township in northern Champaign County. A truck and passenger car were involved in the  accident which closed the local roads for several hours. 

 

(Paxton–jc)  Impact Life is hosting a blood drive in Paxton in July. Impact Life Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson provides some details…

Impact Life Paxton Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson

 

(Melvin–jc) While attending the Ford County Fair this week in Melvin, several area businesses are represented in the commercial building on the grounds. One business is the Ford County E-M-A. Ford County E-M-A Director Terry Whitebird says his booth features a penguin, coloring contest and giveaways…

Ford County E-M-A Director Terry Whitebird

 

(Urbana–jc)  –Robert Fitzgerald will be the next director and principal at University Laboratory High School at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pending University of Illinois Board of Trustees approval. He will begin July 1, and his title will be interim director for education until current director and principal Elizabeth Majerus’ departure on July 25.    Currently, Fitzgerald is serving as assistant principal at Thomas Metcalf Laboratory School in Normal. In his two years in this role, he has co-led a school of 500 students, co-managed the facility and assisted in evaluating faculty and staff.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Center for Disease Control and Prevention  has confirmed Illinois’ first human case of West Nile virus   of 2025 in an individual from Southern Illinois who was hospitalized due to complications of the infection. About one in 150 people who contract the disease caused by a bite from an infected mosquito develop a severe illness. The case marks the earliest onset of illness observed in Illinois since 2016, and underscores the risk posed by mosquito bites, especially to those who are over 65 or immunocompromised. So far in 2025, WNV has been confirmed in 19 counties. 

 

(The Center Square) – State Sen. Neil Anderson is vowing to do all he can to finally provide relief for long stressed-out Illinois homeowners.Proposed by Anderson earlier this year, Senate Bill 1862 seeks to end property taxes for state residents who have lived in and paid on residential properties for at least three decades.Anderson, R-Andalusia, said he is now focused on winning over more support for his proposal, including from Democratic legislators, arguing in the end, the measure stands to be in the best interest of essentially every resident.

 

(Melvin–jc)  The 20-25 Ford County Fair continues through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Melvin. There are two large tractor pulls set this week. One today and the second, t on Thursday. Ford County Fair Spokesperson Wade Rueck says both events provide a wide variety of action…

Ford County Fair Spokesperson Wade Rueck.

 

(The Center Square) – An advocate for the Illinois business community says lawsuit-challenged legislation approved by the General Assembly could cost the state dearly. Republican lawmakers cited Senate Bill 328 when they alleged that the Democratic supermajority short-circuits the legislature’s three-readings rule by gutting bill language and replacing it just before passage. State Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Peoria, called SB 328 “just the worst example” of Illinois Democratic Party leaders violating the three readings rule.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Old Fashioned 4th of July is set for Pells Park in the city of Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says a familiar act is set to perform on Friday July 4th in the Pells Park Pavilion…

Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper

 

(Champaign–jc)  – May brought a cooler month for housing activity in the Champaign County area, with sales down from last year despite continued price growth. According to the Champaign County Association of REALTORS, the local housing landscape remains competitive, with limited inventory keeping the area firmly in seller’s market territory. In total, 215 properties were sold in May, a modest increase from April but down 11% year- over-year, So far in 2025, 843 homes have changed hands, which is a 7 percent decrease from 20-24.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced Tuesday that he has made more than $5 billion in investment earnings from the state portfolio during his time in office. With one month to go in the state’s Fiscal Year 2025, investment earnings are up over 6 percent. Treasurer Frerichs also has surpassed $3 billion in gross investment earnings for cities, villages, school districts, counties and other units of government that take part in the highly rated Illinois Funds local government investment pool the State Treasurer’s Office operates. 

 

 

Today at the Ford County Fair in Melvin

 

9:00am – Jr. Beef Show, Jr. Rabbit Show

 

5:00pm – Ford County 4-H Premium Auction – Show Barn

 

6:00pm – Illiana Truck & Tractor Pull – Grandstand

 

Petting Zoo in the Commercial Building