(Chicago-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker has criticized President Donald Trump, asserting that the president lacks the legal authority to take control of the city of Chicago. This statement comes in response to reports of Trump's decision to federalize the Washington, D.C., police force and deploy the National Guard to combat violent crime. President Trump's actions in Washington follow reports of an attack on a former Department of Justice member during an attempted carjacking. The President has taken swipes at Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over the city’s high crime rate and the state’s Safe-T Act which bans cash bail in the state.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker signed a bill into law Tuesday creating stricter hiring requirements for law enforcement. Capitol News Illinois reports it’s a response to the death of Sonya Massey. Massey was shot and killed in her Springfield home by now-former Sangamon County Sheriff deputy Sean Grayson last summer. The legislation requires police and sheriff departments to conduct more thorough background checks for potential hires. This includes reviewing a candidate’s criminal record and any investigations by previous employers. State Senator Doris Turner believes this law will prevent people with backgrounds like Grayson’s from ever joining law enforcement…
48th District State Senator Doris Turner, Democrat from Springfield. Grayson is awaiting trial for first degree murder. The trial begins in October.
(Gibson City-jm) – The search for the man accused of shooting a Gibson City police officer and a Ford County Sheriff’s deputy continues. Police are looking for 70 year old David Jordan. He’s accused of shooting a Gibson City officer and a Ford County Sheriff’s deputy early Saturday morning after they were called to a naked man on Ash Street. Shortly after the officers were shot, the home Jordan was in caught fire. He is considered armed and dangerous. Multiple law enforcement agencies were searching for Jordan southwest of Sibley Tuesday evening. Anyone who sees Jordan or has any information is asked to call 9-1-1.
(Paxton–jc) The downtown free Friday night concert series will continue for the first Friday in September. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says last year the concerts were completed in August, but because of the popularity of the events, another one is scheduled for September 5th…
Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana City Council has unanimously approved the appointment of Zachery Mikalik as Deputy Chief of the Urbana Police Department. Mikalik, who has served nearly 18 years with the department, currently holds the position of Services Division Commander, where he leads initiatives in officer training, wellness, community engagement, and system modernization.
(Rantoul–jc) It’s August and that means it’s Back-to-school time for students and families. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susie Avalos says area school and community leaders are helping make the transition “back-to-school”...
Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susie Avalos
CHAMPAIGN - Champaign Police were dispatched to the intersection of Neil Street and Marketview Drive Monday night at 10, following a report of a traffic crash. On scene, officers learned that a vehicle had struck a pedestrian riding a kick scooter in the roadway. A 24-year-old woman from Champaign died later that night at an area hospital Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477.
(Washington–jc) The U-S-D-A today forecasted record production and yield for this year's corn crop Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield–jc) Illinois businesses are moving to other states at triple the rate they did before the pandemic, according to new research from the Illinois Policy Institute. In 2023, 218 businesses left Illinois, more than any state in the country after New York and California. Despite having the most business applications filed in the Midwest, only 5.6% of applicants in Illinois actually opened a business and became operational within 12 months.
(Paxton–jc) Two separate incidents are causing traffic issues near Paxton along Interstate 57. A portion of the northbound lanes “buckled” on Tuesday afternoon just south of Paxton. Patching of the portion of the road was completed late Tuesday afternoon. An apparent accident near Paxton has officials taking travelers off of Interstate 57 and re-directing them through the city. WPXN News will continue to update this story.
(Springfield-jm) – As schools across Illinois prepare to welcome students back for the new academic year, the Illinois State Police is reminding drivers to adhere to school zone speed limits and exercise caution around school buses. Motorists are required to slow down to 20 miles per hour in posted school zones, which are in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days when children are present. ISP emphasized that using hand-held cellular devices for talking or texting while driving is strictly prohibited in these zones, with increased fines for violations.
ISP also urged adults to teach children safe walking habits, such as using sidewalks, crossing at designated crosswalks, and avoiding walking between cars.
(Channahon–jc) One local State Senator says there is one good thing that has come out of the “gerrymandering” of political districts in Texas, that is Illinoisans are looking at their own political map. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon provides some insight into the maps of Illinois…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Cissna Park–dm)- Cissna Parks’s Old Settlers reunion gets under way tomorrow in the southern Iroquois County town Cissna Park American Legion Post 5-2-7 Spokesperson Dick Swing talks about day one of the three day event….
Cissna Park American Legion Post 5-2-7 and Old Settlers spokesperson Dick Swing
updated(Paxton–jc) – A new convenient store, gas station and fast food restaurant project on Paxton’s west side continues to move forward. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the city continues to work with developers on the project along route 9 west in Paxton…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Chicago–jc) Could taxpayers in Illinois help the Chicago Bears build a new stadium in Arlington Heights? WPXN’s Brayden Perzee has the details…
(Paxton–jc) In a show of solidarity, around 150 teachers in the Paxton Buckley Loda School system marched from the downtown area of Paxton to the Pueblo Lindo Restaurant on the city's north side Tuesday morning. An all teacher institute was planned for Tuesday. The teachers in the district are seeking a new collective bargaining agreement with the Paxton Buckley Loda Schools. The P B L Schools are set to begin a new year on Thursday.
WPXN News notes…
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections this morning from 8-9 am.
The 2025 Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion will take place August 14th-16th.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Class of 2028 on Saturday, August 16th from 10-2.
The Corn Belt Shrine Club will hold its annual Kids Day in Gibson City’s North Park on Sunday, August 17th. Prior to activities getting under way at the park from noon to 3 p.m., there will be a parade in downtown Gibson City at 11:30 a.m. At the park, there will be go kart rides, drinks, hot dogs, games, face painting, a jump house and more for 25 cents.
The 2025 Half Century of Progress will be in Rantoul August 21st through the 24th.
The 2025 Mahomet Music Festival will take place Friday, August 22nd with 2025 American Idol contestant, Mahomet native Lexi and 2023 The Voice Season 23 winner, Paxton native Gina Miles performing. On Saturday, August 23rd, its Lakeview and country group Parmalee performing.
