(Springfield-jm) – Illinois currently lacks a clear regulatory system for digital asset businesses, but two bills on Governor JB Pritzker's desk could help protect consumers across the state. All cryptocurrency operators could soon be required to register with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. One proposal could set transaction limits, a maximum withdrawal fee and create a live customer service portal. The other legislation would require operators to be transparent about the risks involved with their products, services and virtual currency by providing disclosures to customers. It also calls for crypto operators to provide a toll-free customer service line, establish anti-scam policies and have consumer protection officers enforcing the law.

 

(The Center Square) – Northern Illinois University, which state taxpayers fund with nearly $100 million annually, took a verbal lashing for a repeated audit finding about time keeping for faculty.The Legislative Audit Commission heard audit reviews for three public universities throughout the state. For Northern Illinois University, there were 15 findings officials said were not material and they are working on repeated findings.Presiden t Lisa Freeman said they hope to change a state law requiring tracking work hours in 15 minute increments.

 

(Washington-jm) – Illinois will have a new Senator after Dick Durbin announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election. Capitol News Illinois sat down with one of the candidates running for the seat, Raja Krishnamoorthi. He talks about the potential impacts he fears could come to rural hospitals and communities following the passage of President Trumps Big Beautiful Bill…

   

Illinois U-S Senate Candidate Raja Krishnamorthi. 

(Chamapgin–jc)  The Interstate 74 entrance from the northbound Interstate 57 exchanged was closed for several hours early Sunday morning. A semi accident was reported in that area around 4am yesterday. No word on property damages or injuries was provided. The closure lasted for several hours 

 

(Champaign–jc) It’s Kids Day at the Champaign County Fair. at 8am its the Open Swine Show and at 8-30 the Open Dairy and Sheep Show. Gates Open at 10 with pre school activities from 10am to noon. The Carnival opens at 5 this afternoon with music at 6.There is also harness racing at 5 today.

 

 

(Paxton–dm)-If you are looking for a project to do inside, you might want to clean your grout on your tile floor or wall.  Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen,  has some suggestions 

   

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen.  You can hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings at 730 on Scott’s tips for success.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Starting today, a new Guest Assistance service will be available at Carle Foundation Hospital for those parking in the North Garage on Orchard St. or the South Garage on McCullough Ave. This free, ADA-accessible wheelchair transport service will ensure safe travel for patients and visitors in need of assistance before and after an appointment. To use this service, visitors will need to park in the North or South Garages and call the number assigned to each garage once they have arrived. When requesting assistance, visitors will provide their location to a team member who will come to them with a wheelchair to assist them from their vehicle to the hospital. Each garage will have an ADA-designated section with numbered spaced. Visitors needing support are encouraged to park in these spaces and provide their assigned number when calling to help locate them within the garage. This service is available to anyone who needs support traveling from their vehicle to the hospital doors, even if they do not park in the ADA-designated sections of the garages or have a handicap placard for their vehicle.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker has joined a group of nine governors around the country calling on a power grid operator to implement governance reforms. Pritzker said PJM Interconnection is undermining Illinois’ efforts to have clean, reliable and affordable energy. The governors sent a letter calling on PJM to fill open board seats and establish a transparent nomination process.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker announced last month he will be running for another term as Governor. This time however, he won’t have Juliana Stratton, the state’s current Lieutenant Governor, as his sidekick. Stratton announced she planned to run for the soon-to-be open U-S Senate seat held by retiring Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker announced Christian Mitchell will be his running mate. Mitchell sat down with Capitol News Illinois. He talks about what he brings to the ticket…

 

Illinois Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell.

 

(Champaign-jm) – An Urbana man has been arrested in connection with a shooting incident on July 4, that resulted in the death of a Champaign man. Champaign Police responded to the 1900 block of W. Bradley Avenue after receiving multiple reports of a shooting with injuries at 12:36 a.m. Upon arrival, officers learned that 32-year-old Martez Jones of Champaign had been transported to a local hospital by personal vehicle. An investigation led to 37-year-old Rynell Frazier of Urbana. Frazier was located and arrested in Merrillville, Indiana. Champaign Police are currently arranging for Frazier's transport back to the Champaign County Correctional Facility for arraignment.

(Champaign–dm)- Sore throats are pesky. They can be serious. And they’re not just a winter thing, as evidenced by the new COVID variant causing sore throats that feel like razor blades. Do a web search for sore throat at-home remedies, and you’ll get a lot of results. Which ones work? Which ones might feel good in the moment but don’t get the job done? Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.

 

 But, that’s not a license to eat spicy food. For example, the acidity in tacos can make sore throats worse. If your condition doesn’t get better in a few days, go to an urgent care.

 

(Bloomington–dm)-More than 150 Illinois National Guard soldiers from the 2-106th Cavalry have returned home after a ten-month deployment overseas. The soldiers conducted security operations in Africa before reuniting with friends and family in Bloomington.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois legislators are raising concerns over a $500,000 budget item for Lincoln College, a private school that shut down in 2022.The earmark, added in a 2018 capital bill by then-state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, was never funded but continues to appear in the budget each year because it’s still written into state law.Critics call the situation “a banner of incompetence,” highlighting how such outdated line items can clutter the budget and fuel worries about mismanagement or misuse of taxpayer money.

WPXN News Notes…

 

The 2025 Champaign County Fair will take place through July 26 at the fairgrounds in Urbana. Today it's harness racing at 5. 

 

The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup starting today 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, July 22nd and Wednesday, July 23rd from 9-noon for kids grades 9-12. Registration is $50. Call 815-432-2483 to sign up.