(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have decreased by 6.1 cents per gallon over the past week, now averaging $3.39 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. Prices in the state are 3.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 50.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.
(Chicago–jc)A federal judge has sentenced Anne Pramaggiore to two years in prison and ordered the former ComEd CEO to pay a $750,000 fine. A jury convicted Pramaggiore and three others in 2023 of conspiracy, bribery and falsifying records in connection with a scheme to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Pramaggiore is scheduled to report to prison on Dec. 1.
(Ford County–jc) The summer heat is on and officials with the Ford County E-M-A want you to be prepared. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Rantoul-jm) – Rantoul City Schools are getting ready for the upcoming school year. School officials will tell families of a change to how bus updates, routes and other transportation notifications. This August,, bus updates will be sent through the FirstView app instead of ParentSquare. District officials say families should download the app on your phone or computer.
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers still don’t have audited financials from fiscal year 2023, but the state’s comptroller says they’re working to speed annual reports up. Truth In Accounting founder Sheila Weinberg said Illinois continues to be among the states with tardy financial reporting. The state’s audited annual financial report for 2024 is also not available, despite that fiscal year ending on June 30th.
(Washington–jc ) How are the prices of milk and milk products forecasted for July and beyond. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski has the numbers…
World Agriculture Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski
EAST PEORIA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that, weather permitting, at approximately 8 p.m.tonight , the McClugage Bridge carrying U.S. 150 will close as demolition continues on the old eastbound structure. The full bridge closure, including both directions of U.S. 150 between Illinois 29 (Adams Street) in Peoria and Illinois 116 in East Peoria, is necessary as the contractor utilizes explosives to demolish concrete piers 14-20, which are located toward the center section of the bridge. The closure is expected to last 30-minutes prior to the blast and will reopen as quickly as possible afterward when conditions are safe.
(Crescent City–jc) –The 20-25 Iroquois County Fair is now complete for this summer. WPXN would like to thank all who stopped by our ice cream booth for charities. We have a donation going to the Iroquois County Fair Association, Christ Lutheran High School and the Panther Select Basketball program. 20-25 Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen Rae Stucki of Donovan had a busy week and says she will be representing Iroquois County at more events this summer and fall…
20-25 Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen Rae Stucki of Donovan. (‘Stew-key)
(Normal–dm)-With help from state taxpayers, an automotive seating company is planning to open an assembly facility adjacent to the Rivian manufacturing plan in Normal. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that Adient will make an investment of more than $8 million, with support from the state’s Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois program. The facility is expected to create 75 jobs.
(Springfield-jm) – A growing number of organizations are calling on Gov. JB Pritzker to veto a controversial bill regarding lawsuits while the same legislation faces a legal battle in Sangamon County. A vast majority of Republican lawmakers challenging the constitutionality of the civil procedure proposal passed on the final day of session. Democrats approved a plan allowing out-of-state businesses to be sued by out-of-state plaintiffs in Illinois courts, even if incidents did not happen in Illinois. The majority party used the gut and replace tactic to introduce the bill language and quickly pass it out of both chambers. Many organizations are concerned that the measure could allow businesses to face new legal action and liability by simply registering in Illinois.
(Gibson City–jc) Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services is hosting the national rock group “Foreigner” along with singer John Waite for the 20-25 Summer Bash next month. Gibson Area Hospital Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby says the bash is an area event with many sponsors and a general admission ticket is just 10 dollars…
Gibson Area Hospital Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby
Tickets are available on line
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is still investigating a recent string of vehicle break-ins near campus. Crime Stoppers is now involved in the case with the hopes of identifying two suspects caught on camera. Between May 2 and July 17, a total of 12 cars parked in the Orchard Downs apartment complex were broken into. Surveillance footage recorded in the area captured two people that police believe are suspects in the break-ins. One was wearing a black hoodie, shiny black pants and white shoes. The other was wearing a gray or white hoodie with black lettering on the left arm, black pants and white shoes.
(Paxton–dm)- For a year and a half the Paxton Foundation has been working to restore the old water tower in downtown Paxton. Paxton Foundation President Royce Baier gives us an update on the progress being made.
Paxton Foundation President Royce Baier.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining more than a dozen states to protect against what they say are “unlawful and baseless” attempts to strip temporary protected status from Honduran, Nepali and Nicaraguan immigrants.Raoul and others argue in a case against the Department of Homeland Security the move has devastating economic and humanitarian consequences.
(Sspringfield–jc) – Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced Monday that applications are now open for the fifth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
The $25 million from state taxpayers will fund up to 45 programs intended to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in the construction trades.
(Urbana-jm) – The University YMCA at the University of Illinois is gearing up for an annual event which helps to keep several tons of items out of landfills in Champaign-Urbana each year. During Dump and Run, The University YMCA will collect usable items from the community at the U of I Stock Pavilion, located at 1402 W. Pennsylvania Avenue in Urbana. Collections will begin Monday, Aug. 4, and will continue each day, except Sunday, until Aug. 16. Donation times vary, and the schedule is as follows: August 4: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., August 5 to August 8: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., August 11 to August 15: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and weekend hours: Saturdays August 9 and 16: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(Loda–jc) it’s almost time for Loda Good Ole Days in the southern Iroquois County town. The two day event is set for Friday and Saturday of this week. Loda Fireworks and Events Chairman John Zalaker has info on the Friday afternoon and evening events…
Fireworks and Events Chairman John Zalaker. WPXN will be broadcasting the parade on Saturday live as part of our Summer Fun Tour 20-25. The broadcast is set for 10am
(Urbana–jc) 52nd District State Senator Paul Faraci,Democrat from Champaign says a grantee in Champaign received 3 million dollars in funding through the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grant Program – an initiative designed to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries throughout Illinois.
The TIEG (teeg) Program was designed to modernize and revitalize tech incubators across Illinois to meet the evolving needs of startups. The initiative aims to support the transformation of tech spaces, fostering an ecosystem of innovation, collaboration and resilience.
(Cissna Park–jc) Got some talent? Cissna Park will be the venue for a Talent Show during Old Settlers. The talent show will be held Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 in the park. Individual and group entries will be taken in junior, senior, and adult divisions. The junior division is for ages 14 and under. The senior division is for ages 15-21. The adult division is for 22 and over. First, second, and third prizes will be awarded in each division. Please contact Lynn Hasselbring at lynn.hasselbring@cpschool.org for entry forms or more information. Entry forms are due August 7.
WPXN News Notes…
Tonight at the Champaign County Fair its harness racing at 5.
The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup this week and go from the west side of town to the east side.
The Iroquois County Public Health Department will hold a safe sitter class on today and tomorrow from 9-noon for kids grades 9-12. Registration is $50. Call 815-432-2483 to sign up.
