(Paxton-jm) – The heat caused a portion of I-57 to buckle near Paxton Thursday evening. It happened in the southbound lanes near milemarker 259. IDOT was requested to fix the buckled road.

 

(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…

   

Democratic Illinois U-S Senate Candidate Raja Krishnamorthi. The Big Beautiful Bill has 50 Billion dollars assigned for rural hospitals to help with changes

 

(Urbana-jm) – A building on the University of Illinois campus suffered a partial collapse Thursday afternoon. Crews were working on the exterior of the Florida Avenue residence hall when a portion of the brick facade collapsed from the 9th floor. Two construction workers were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

 

(Thomasboro-jm) — Part of Interstate 57 in Champaign County closed briefly on Thursday after two separate crashes took place. Illinois State Police said the first crash happened in the northbound lane near milepost 246 in Thomasboro at around 2:21 p.m. According to State Police, two vehicles were involved, but no injuries were reported. About half an hour later, State Police said another crash took place at milepost 245. Troopers responded to the second two-unit crash at 2:53 p.m. Troopers temporarily closed both lanes before announcing around 5:30 p.m. that both lanes were reopened.

 

(Ford County–)-If you live in Ford County and need a ride to some place, CRIS  Rural Mass Transit District can help you out.  CRIS Rural Mass Transit District C-E-O Melissa Walters talks about their options….

   

CRIS Rural Mass Transit District CEO Melissa Walters.  That phone number once again is 217-443-2287.

 

Gibson City–jc)  –It’s Showtime in Gibson City tonight and tomorrow night. The Ford County based Act Theatre Company performs “Space Pirates!” and “Seussical (The Musical)” for two evening performances. The venue is  the  pavilion at Gibson City’s North Park. Cast members include area youth around the Paxton and Gibson City area.. “Space Pirates" begins at 7 each night and "Seussical" opens at 8 each night. Tickets are 5 dollars each

 

CHAMPAIGN, IL —Housing activity surged in June across Champaign County, with 281 properties sold, a 21% increase compared to June 2024 and a notable jump from May.  According to the Champaign County Association of REALTORS, limited inventory and elevated borrowing costs are keeping the market firmly in seller territory. While sales picked up locally, the National Association of REALTORS. Nationwide sales remained flat compared to a year ago and dipped slightly from May, continuing to hover near 30-year lows. So far in 2025, total transactions remain nearly on pace with last year, suggesting consistent local demand despite economic headwinds. The median home price settled at $245,000, a slight decline from the previous month.

 

(The Center Square) – The push continues to have Illinois opt in to the federal school choice scholarship tax credit program. The program giving a 100% federal tax credit to private donations of no more than $1,700 for school choice scholarships doesn’t start until 2027. Last week, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said President Donald Trump wants school choice.

 

U.S. Dept of Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Despite having overseen Illinois’ Invest in Kids program during his administration, Pritzker was critical of the federal program.

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

 

(Illinois–dm)-Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is claiming victory over the issue of birthright citizenship. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that birthright citizenship impacts the post Civil War era for the children of freed slaves, and not foreign nationals who give birth to a child in the U.S. Raoul joined three other states in the lawsuit. An appeals court affirmed a nationwide injunction against Trump. It’s possible the U.S. Supreme Court could take up the issue.

 

(Loda–dm)-Loda Good Ole Days are going on this weekend in Loda. President of the Loda American Legion Auxiliary Dianne Eilts tells us about Friday and Saturday’s activities.

 

Loda American Legion Auxiliary spokesperson . Dianne Eilts.  WPXN will be broadcasting the parade starting at 10am on Saturday.

 

(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. Pritzker is considered a potential 2028 Presidential candidate. Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell says the work Pritzker has done in Illinois has garnered national attention…

 

Democratic, Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A Champaign woman pleaded guilty in court to a charge stemming from last year’s unrest during a pro-Palestinian protest on the University of Illinois campus. Elizabeth Sotiropoulos, was facing two counts, a Class 4 felony of mob action and a Class A misdemeanor of obstructing a police officer. During the hearing, a deal had been reached between Sotiropoulos and the prosecution. She then pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor count with the felony count being dismissed. She was then sentenced to 12 months of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service.

 

(Loda–jc)  For entertainment this weekend, take the family to the Loda Good Ole Days. Loda Fireworks and Events, Loda Mayor John Zalaker, says the band Back Paiges is playing on Saturday and there is also a kiddie tractor pull…

 

Loda Fireworks and Events, Loda Mayor John Zalaker.

 

(Urbana–jc)  The number of police-involved lethal force incidents in the U.S. dropped 24 percent over the past several years of reports. The Cline Center for Advanced Social Research and an interdisciplinary team of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign experts  have developed a nationwide registry on the uses of lethal force by police officers in the U.S. The Cline Center for Advanced Social Research team  was  designed to fill an important gap in the American public’s understanding of policing in the United States.

 

(Iroquois County–dm)-In September, Iroquois County city leaders will meet to map out future plans.  Iroquois County Economic Development Associate Executive Director Angel Crawford has more information.

 

Iroquois County Economic Development Executive Director Angel Crawford.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Freedom Fridays continues tonight in the village of Rantoul. The event starts at 6 tonight at the Hap Park Aquatic Center in the village. Aces and rhythm will perform your favorites from the 60s to today. Food trucks with ET’s, Smith Burgers and the Main Scoop will also be there. There will also be inflatables and a photo booth. The event is sponsored by the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

(Illinois–dm)-Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood has filed a bill to rename a clinic in Bloomington after a Civil War medal of honor recipient. The Andrew Jackson Smith Medal of Honor Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic would have the namesake of the last African American Civil War soldier to receive a medal of honor. Smith’s descendants were recipients of the medal from former President Bill Clinton in 2001, 137 years after the Battle of Honey Hill.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

At the Champaign County Fair today and tomorrow.  Tonight, it's country music artist Travis Tritt at 7:30. On Saturday the IPA tractor pulls at noon and the ITPA tractor pulls at 6pm.

 

 Today at the Loda Good Old Days…4pm Little Miss and Mister pageant. 8pm Traveling Radio Show. 6pm start for vendors and beer tent

 

Loda Good Ole Days…on Saturday

10am Parade

10am to 3pm a Vendor Craft SHow

6pm Beer Tent opens

6-15pm tree Dedication to remember Roy and Margaret Hilgendorf

7pm Music with Back Paiges

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Hands of Christ Food Pantry on Saturday, July 26th from 10-2.

 

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.