(Springfield-jm) – A new state law will require trauma-informed response training for law enforcement handling sexual assault cases. The law requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board to teach police officers how to identify conflicts of interest and options to address those conflicts when officers know a sexual assault victim or the abuser. Sponsors said law enforcement must use the utmost care when survivors come forward to report their abuse.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker signed a proposal Friday to give nursing mothers more break time to feed their babies. Illinois employers are currently required to provide reasonable time to nursing mothers during the work day, but that time is not required to be paid. The new law clarifies that employee time pumping breastmilk has to be paid, and that employees should not be required to use paid leave during breaks.
(Paxton–jc) The subject of chickens and chickens in neighborhoods in the city of Paxton is a possibility. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says a referendum on the subject is coming during an upcoming general election period…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Champaign County-jm) – A motorcyclist was airlifted to the hospital after crashing into a tractor on Saturday. It happened just before 4 p.m. in the area of Homer Lake Road and County Road 2275 East. The Champaign County Sheriff's Office said both vehicles were going west on Homer Lake Road when the motorcycle tried to pass the tractor as it was turning. The motorcyclist was airlifted to the hospital with life threatening injuries. The driver and passengers in the tractor were not hurt. Police are still investigating the crash.
(Hoopeston-jm) – A 33-year-old Hoopeston man was arrested for allegedly damaging a gravestone at a local cemetery. On July 29, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Skyler W. Cannon. According to police reports, Cannon was taken into custody following an investigation at Floral Hill Cemetery, where it was discovered that Cannon had damaged a gravestone. The cemetery is located north of Hoopeston in Lovejoy Township.
(Paxton–jc) – The Paxton Masonic Lodge 4-16 is set for a fundraiser in September, It’s the 7th annual “Get Out of Dodge” Raffle. The grand prize is a trip to New York City to see a Broadway Show and includes round trip airfare, five days in New York City and 500 dollars for meals and more. Paxton Masonic Lodge 4-16 Spokesperson Jim Shearl says the masons have a long history in Paxton and always look to serve the area…
Paxton Masonic Lodge 4-16 Spokesperson Jim Shearl. Tickets are 40 dollars each to 3 for 1 hundred dollars. All money raised goes to support projects in the Paxton area. There are lots of other prizes in the drawings that will take place at the Paxton Swine and Dine on September 20th in the city.
(Champaign County-jm) – Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski announced that Champaign County will receive $6.4 million in funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The competitive grant aims to serve 269 children and 111 infants and toddlers throughout the county. This funding follows a letter of support sent in December 2024 by Budzinski, alongside Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, to secure the necessary funds.
(Champaign-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will help unveil Illinois' newest DMV+ facility located in Champaign today. The Office of the Secretary of State said in a press release that the unveiling will take place at noon at the facility on 2012 Round Barn Road. The DMV+ will involve cross-training employees to assist customers seeking driver services like license and ID renewals, REAL IDs and driving tests, along with vehicle services including registration renewals, sticker and plate purchases, and more. Champaign's facility will be the state's fifth DMV+, and the update is anticipated to reduce wait times and increase efficiency.
(Loda–dm)-Since 2010 a group of individuals from Loda have put on their annual Loda truck and tractor pull. Loda Truck and Tractor Pull Committee Spokesman Dalton Weber gives us a run down of the schedule for the August 9th event.
Loda Truck and Tractor Pull Committee Spokesperson Dalton Weber
(The Center Square) – Chicago Public Schools officials are asking for more money from Illinois taxpayers, but a state lawmaker from Chicago says the state does not owe CPS. The Illinois House Executive Committee held a subject matter hearing Thursday to address CPS finances. State Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, said the Chicago mayor was wrong when he said the state of Illinois owes CPS $1billion.Tarver said, outside of Chicago, there are no votes to send money to Chicago without sending money to the rest of the state.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker has signed the highly anticipated plan to stop carbon capture and sequestration near the Mahomet aquifer. This comes a year after community advocates raised concerns that carbon sequestration pipes full of liquid carbon dioxide could leak and contaminate the aquifer. The Mahomet aquifer is the sole source of water for approximately 800,000 people across Central Illinois. The Illinois Manufacturers' Association had urged Pritzker to veto the plan. They argue carbon capture and sequestration is a safe and proven technology that is key to maintaining economic growth and decarbonization goals.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday to require seat belts for all new school buses. The new law mandates that any school buses manufactured in Illinois have three-point seat belts starting in 2031. Sponsors said this change is solely about student safety, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want children to come and go from school safely. Illinois will grandfather in any school buses purchased before 2031.
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill which requires Illinois’ public school districts to provide universal mental health screenings.
Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1560 Thursday at Chute Middle School in Evanston. The governor said annual screenings for kids in grades 3 through 12 will be available by 2027.Illinois Gov JB Pritzker said that this will provide early identification and intervention so that those who are struggling get the help that they need as soon as possible.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Illinois State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders said like vision screening, hearing screening and dental screening, mental health screenings will help us provide timely and appropriate interventions.
Illinois State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders.
(Champaign-jm) – Several people have been displaced after an apartment fire in Champaign Friday night. It happened just before 9 p.m. in the 3700 block of Colleen Drive. The Champaign Fire Department said they responded to reports of a fire in a two-story apartment building. Crews saw smoke coming from a second-story unit when they arrived. Firefighters said they quickly put out the fire, which was controlled by sprinklers. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The department said the occupants of two units have been displaced.
(Clinton Lake-jm) – A 45-year-old man was found dead in Clinton Lake over the weekend. DeWitt County Coroner Randy Rice, said 45 year old Kyle N. Bounds of Husdon was pronounced dead at 8:04pm. The Weldon Boat Ramp at the lake was closed until further notice for “an active incident.” All boat traffic was diverted to the Clinton Lake Marina ramp. Then just after 10 p.m. on Saturday, the sheriff’s office said the ramp reopened.
(Springfield–jc) Numbers at the Illinois State Police will soon number nearly one hundred more. The largest class to graduate the police academy are set to join departments across the area and state. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon, says this is good news for the “safety” of Illinoisans…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Chicago–dm)-Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred at Wrigley Field Friday morning to announce that Wrigley Field will host the 2027 All-Star Game.
The Cubs last hosted the Midsummer Classic in 1990. The All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 13.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man already accused of kidnapping in Champaign County is facing more legal trouble after he was arrested and charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding. 24-year-old Dion Thomas was in court on Friday for arraignment. He was charged with not just a new felony count of aggravated fleeing, but also with a misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended license. During his arraignment, Thomas waived his right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty. In addition to the new charges, Thomas was also facing revocation of pretrial release in two other cases filed against him in the last nine months. One case, filed in December of 2024, accused Thomas of both kidnapping and possessing a stolen vehicle.
WPXN News Notes…
The Iroquois West school district will hold a free preschool screening today from 8:30-3 at the Gilman United Methodist Church. Contact Danforth Elementary School at 815-269-2230 to make an appointment.
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, couse 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.
Shop the park in Cissna Park take place this Saturday from 9-1
