(Springfield-jm) – As students prepare for the new school year, the Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the opening of applications for the Safe Routes to School program. This initiative aims to enhance the safety of walking, biking, and rolling to school, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among students. The program, funded federally and administered by IDOT, supports projects that improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution around schools from kindergarten through high school. This grant cycle will allocate a total of $12 million, with individual awards capped at $250,000.

 

(Washington-jm) – Three Democratic candidates are vying to replace retiring U-S Senator Dick Durbin. One of those is Representative Robin Kelly, whose district extends from the southeast side of Chicago to all of Iroquois, most of Ford, the northern half of Vermilion and the northern third of Champaign Counties. Kelly describes herself as a doer and go-getter. In an interview with Capitol News Illinois, she talks about some of the things she’s accomplished…

   

U-S Senate candidate and current U-S Representative Robin Kelly. Her opponents in the primary are current Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and U-S Representative Raja Krishnamorthi.

 

(Undated-jm) – Air quality was unhealthy yesterday and it looks like it will continue today. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Pollution Action Day for today for the entire state due to wildfire smoke from Canada. The air quality today is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Those considered in the sensitive group are advised to stay inside with windows closed.

 

(Illinois–jc)  A federal grand jury has indicted a man accused of assaulting three law enforcement officers at the Kane County Sheriff’s Department in St. Charles, Illinois. Prosecutors say Francisco Javier Acevedo-Caldera, 39, attacked two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and a Kane County Sheriff’s deputy who offered to assist them with Acevedo-Caldera’s arrest warrant.  The suspect is in federal custody.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has launched a new campaign to prevent insurance companies from using age, credit scores or zip codes to determine auto coverage rates. Giannoulias announced the Driving Change campaign at a press conference in Chicago Wednesday and said an individual’s driving record should serve as the primary factor for rate-setting. State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, and state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, joined Giannoulias and expressed their support for the initiative. The legislators described previous efforts to limit rate-setting factors used by insurers. The measures stalled after opponents said the restrictions would raise premiums and drive insurers out of Illinois. When asked why people with rural zip codes should pay as much for coverage as drivers in urban areas with more crime and congestion, Giannoulias said his office is in charge of the motor vehicle and carjacking task force.

   

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannooulias

 

(Ford County-bp) – The Ford County Sheriff's office took in a total income of $61,276 dollars for July 2025. Most of it came from inmate boarding. Deputies issued 31 traffic citations and responded to 3 accidents. The total income for the fiscal year is now over $516,000.    

 

(Iroquois County-bp) – The Iroquois County Public Health Department announced Director Scott Anderson has been selected as the Champaign Region P-H-E-P Public Information Officer. He is now responsible for disseminating information to the public and ensuring a transparent and accurate information flow.

 

(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City Fire protection District, in partnership with the Illinois Fire Service Institute and with support from One Earth Energy, is wrapping up a 40 hour Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Course August 2nd and 3rd at the Fire protection District building in Gibson City.  One Earth Energy Spokesperson Eric West has more information.

One Earth Energy Spokesperson Eric West

 

(Illinois–dm)-Illinois State Fair officials are advising visitors to purchase Mega and Jumbo Passes before prices go up on today. Fairgoers can purchase discounted passes online or at the Emmerson building on the state fairgrounds in Springfield. The fair opens August 7 and runs through August 17.

 

(Washington-jm) – U.S. Rep. Danny Davis announced Thursday that he won't seek reelection next year after 15 terms in office, making him the latest longtime Illinois Democrat to announce their retirement from Congress. Davis, 83, sits on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means. First elected in 1996, he represents a solidly Democratic district that includes downtown Chicago, large sections of the city's South and West Sides, and inner ring suburbs. Davis’s retirement adds to an already unsettled 2026 congressional landscape in Illinois, where there are now four open seats. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Public schools in Illinois will soon offer universal mental health screenings to students. This comes after Governor J-B Pritzker signed the bill Thursday. Students in grades three through twelve can be screened at least once a year. State Superintendent Dr Tony Sanders says these screenings will help provide timely and appropriate intervention…

 

 

State Superintendent Dr Tony Sanders. Parents will be able to opt out of screenings if they don’t want their child to take them.

 

(Savoy-jm) – University of Illinois’ Willard Airport is building a newer and larger space to house its security checkpoint, which hasn’t been improved in more than 35 years. The current checkpoint is undersized for the airport’s current needs. The project is creating space for a large queue area, two security lanes and a place for people to gather their belongings after going through security. The new security checkpoint is using $3 million dollars of state and federal infrastructure grants. The airport expects the new checkpoint to be open in January of 2026.

 

(USDA–dm)-The country’s corn and soybean crops are now in a smaller drought coverage area to end July compared to the start of the month. Rod Bain has the report.

 

 

(Ford County–dm)-A man from Melvin has been arrested and charged with multiple counts that accuse him of possessing and disseminating child pornography. According to the Ford County Chronicle Court records show an arrest warrant was issued for 46-year-old Michael McPherson on Monday, and he was arrested the same day. He is facing five counts, two of which are Class X felonies for disseminating videos depicting child sex abuse.

 

(Rantoul-bp) - One local preschool has a new director.  Rantoul American Lutheran Church hired Jessica Bensyl to be its new director. The current summer program has 20 children enrolled. That program runs through the middle of August. A celebration program is set for August 14th. Fall enrollment is now being accepted with an Open House set for August 22nd 

 

(Paxton–dm)- The water tower project in downtown Paxton is getting closer to being completed.  Paxton Foundation President Royce Baier tells us about some of the finishing touches.

 

 

Paxton Foundation President Royce Baier

 

(Illinois–dm)-State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, says runaway utility costs prove that Illinois needs an energy overhaul. In an op-ed released Thursday morning, Niemerg said he warned his colleagues that radical mandates pushed by Governor J.B. Pritzker and his legislative allies would result in massive utility hikes and instability. Niemerg said the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is driving up prices and endangering the stability of Illinois’ energy grid.

 

(Illinois–jc)  Gray fox hunting in Illinois is closed effective immediately. That’s the message from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The agency said survey results indicate a substantial decline in gray fox distribution and abundance in the last decade. Illinois Governor  J.B. Pritzker signed a measure last month giving IDNR the ability to open or close the season by administrative rule. 

 

WPXN News notes…

The Iroquois County Historical Society will host their 6th annual pork chop sandwich fundraiser on Friday, August 1st from 4-6 pm on the east side of the old courthouse museum. Cost is a freewill donation.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their Family Dinner on Friday, August 1st from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes fish, chicken or shrimp plus 2 sides.

 

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.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree on Saturday, August 2nd from 10-2.

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Tuesday, August 5th from 9-930 at the St. Joseph library, 10-10:30 at the old high school ballpark in Ogden, 11-11:30 at the Homer post office, 12:30-1 at the Sidney community building, 1:30-2 at the Philo village office and from 2:30-3pm at The Oaks at Tolono.

 

The 2025 Gilman Old Boys and Girls Reunion will take place Thursday, August 7th through Sunday, August 10th. On Thursday its an escape room at the library from 1-6 pm, crowning of the prince and princess at 2pm, kids parade at 3:30, talent show at 5:30 and style show at 7. On Friday, games at Mann Park from 9-11 am, course canines at Mann Park at 11, Big Red Wagon rides 1-4, Bingo 3-5, live music by Natural High at 6, beard contest at 7:30. On Saturday, its the 5k at 730, craft show from 9-4, parade at 1, live music by the Back Paiges after the parade, cruise in from 5-8 in downtown and fireworks at 9. On Sunday at 10:30 am its the community church service.

 

The 15th annual Loda Truck and Tractor Pull is set for Saturday August 9 on the pull track on Jefferson street in Loda. Gates open at 8am. Registration is set for 8am to 10-30am  At 11am its the Open and Stock Class Pulls. And Noon to 5pm its the  I P A Class Pulls.