(Springfield-jm) – Illinois residents are being warned of a text message going around claiming to be from the "Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles." The texts are a scam, and those threatening to suspend vehicle registration and driving are phishing attempts. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias' office said the scams seek to gain personal or financial data from Illinois residents.
(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 Trump's Big Beautiful Bill…
Illinois U-S Senate Candidate Raja Krishnamorthi.
(Piper City-jm) – West Nile has been detected in Ford County. The Ford County Public Health Department says a batch of mosquitoes in Piper City tested positive for the virus. The Ford County Public Health Department is urging residents to be aware of West Nile virus activity in their area and take steps to protect themselves and their family from West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.
(MAHOMET, Ill, - - July 22, 2025) Village of Mahomet will name David Smysor as its next Chief of Police at a special board of trustees meeting on August 12th. Smysor’s first day of the job will be October First. Smysor will replace the outgoing chief, Mike Metzler, who is retiring September 30, 2025. Smysor currently serves as Deputy Chief of Police for the City of Urbana Police Department. He has been a law enforcement officer for 24 years,
(Urbana–jc) The 20-25 Miss Champaign County Fair Queen is Sophia Hartke from Sidney. Along with Little Miss Champaign County Fair, Slone Davis of Dewey has been busy at the local fair handing out ribbons, to attending events like the annual Demo Derby. Hartke provides some background information…
20-25 Miss Champaign County Fair Queen Sophia Hartke
(Watseka–jc) –The Iroquois County Public Health Department has announced the appointment of Doctor Meena Purohit, as Medical Director. Doctor Purohit is a local pediatrician with over 10 years of experience providing quality care for countless children at Carle Health in Watseka, where she will continue to practice while serving as Medical Director for the county health department in her role as Medical Director, Doctor Purohit will provide clinical guidance and oversight to the Public Health nursing staff.
(Danville–jc) – The first day petitions for established political parties may be circulated is Tuesday, August 5th in Vermilion County. Petition packets must
be filed with the Vermilion County Clerk beginning Monday, October 27th, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. thru Monday, November 3rd. The order in which candidates file will determine their placement on the ballot.
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois law enforcement will soon have the power to remove trespassers from properties where the owner establishes legal ownership with a new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Currently, Illinois law does not distinguish between overstaying tenants and squatters if the squatter claims to be a tenant or owner. The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
(Mattoon-jm) – A suspect in a Kansas double murder was apprehended in Mattoon, on Tuesday. Christopher Barnshaw, was wanted by the Topeka Police Department for his alleged involvement in a double homicide and the kidnapping of a child related to one of the victims. The Mattoon Police Department was alerted to Barnshaw's possible presence in the city just after noon on Tuesday. A short time later, a Mattoon police officer spotted the suspect's vehicle and began following it eastbound toward Charleston. A traffic stop was conducted and Barnshaw was taken into custody. The missing two-year-old child was found unharmed in the back seat of the vehicle.
(Springfield-jm) – As Governor J-B Pritzker prepares to campaign for another term as Governor, he’s doing so with a new running mate. Pritzker chose Christian Mitchell as his running mate after current Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton announced her bid for the soon-to-be open U-S Senate seat held by Dick Durbin. Durbin announced earlier this year he will not be seeking another term. Mitchell spoke with Capitol News Illinois. Recently, Governor Pritzker said he was looking for someone who could immediately step into the role of Governor. Mitchell was asked why he would be qualified to take over as Governor if needed…
Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell.
(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City’s Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre will be celebrating and honoring the memory of one of its owners. On Sunday, it is a Celebration of Life for Nora Harroun, who died following health issues. On the screens will be her favorite movie Pride and Prejudice. The show will be free to attend, but the drive-in will “graciously accept donations” from attendees.
(Loda–jc) The Loda Good Ole Days celebration is set for Friday night and all day Saturday in the village. Loda Fireworks and Events Spokesperson and Loda Mayor John Zalaker says this has always been a community type event…
Loda Fireworks and Events Spokesperson and Loda Mayor John Zalaker
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is hosting the Summer Food Service Program , beginning this Friday The program provides free breakfast and lunch for children during the summer when area school districts are not running similar programs. The local food program is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and will run through Monday, August 11th
Meals will be served to children aged one to 18 in the C-U Public Health Department lobby at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign, Monday through Friday.
SPRINGFIELD, IL –With longer hours and discounted prices, the Illinois State Fair is offering more chances to save money on state fair fun. The Illinois State Fair Grandstand Box Office will be open extended hours for in-person and over-the-phone ticket purchases on Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Regular box office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday prior to the fair. Once the fair starts, hours will change from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. August 7 – 17.
(Urbana–jc) one of the most popular food items annually at the Champaign County Fair is Culler’s Fries. The Springfield family operation has been in business for over 80 years. Culler’s Fries Spokesperson Keith Cullers says its simply a great project with friendly service…
Cullers Fries Spokesperson Keith Cullers. Cullers Fries have been in the same spot at the Champaign County Fair for 80 years and also appear at the Fisher Fair and State Fair in Springfield each year.
(Springfi3eld–jc) –Illinois ranks 14th among U.S. states with the highest infection rates for sexually-transmitted diseases, with 832 new cases per 100,000 residents.
Researchers for Invigor Medical analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Louisiana reported the highest STD infection rate, while Vermont had the lowest.
WPXN News notes…
Today at the Champaign County Fair… it's the monster truck show at 7. On Thursday its motocross racing at 7. On the 25th its country music artist Travis Tritt at 7:30. On the 26th its the IPA tractor pulls at noon and the ITPA tractor pulls at 6pm.
Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays Concert Series on Friday, August 1st at Veterans Square. Back in Time, a band performing your favorites from the 60s, 70s and 80s will perform.
St Malachy Catholic School in Rantoul will host their annual golf outing on Saturday, August 2nd starting at 8:30 am at Brookhill Golf Course in Rantoul. Cost is $80 per person.
The Shop in the Park in Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, August 9th from 9-1. Activities include craft and vendors, live music and food.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, August 13th from 8-9 am.
