(Leverett-jm) – Thomasboro firefighters were called to a fire at the Illini FS plant in Leverett Monday evening. The fire happened at a propane tank just before 6pm. Two nearby empty propane and fuel trucks caught fire. No injuries were reported.
(Springfield-jm) – People charged with their first weapon-related offense will soon have the ability to apply for a FOID card while they participate in a pretrial detention program. Current state law allows nonviolent offenders charged with their first offense to participate in divergence programs. Once completed, a state's attorney can dismiss the charges, but the individual cannot apply for a FOID card until after the charges are dismissed. A new law will allow eligible first time offenders to apply for a FOID card much earlier. All of the current requirements for legal gun ownership in Illinois will remain the same. The Illinois State Police could also deny someone's application for a FOID card if they are ineligible.
(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law is raising the mandatory senior driving test age from 79 to 87. Drivers 79 and older will be required to renew their license, but they will not have to take a driver's test for the renewal process. Anyone 75 or older with a commercial license will still need to take a driver's test to keep driving for work. The law gives people the ability to report their senior family members to the Secretary of State's office if they're suffering from a severe illness like dementia and should not drive.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security officials are promising to be more responsive to local emergency management agencies after state lawmakers raised concerns. IEMA-OHS has proposed rule changes involving accreditation and other issues which affect local emergency services disaster agencies. During a Joint Committee on Administrative Rules hearing on Wednesday, state Rep. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, noted that there have been delays with the agency's drafting of revisions and issues with certification and paperwork. Reick said the extensive rule-making expected in the next two months will have a great impact on local emergency management agencies.
State Representative Steven Reick, R- Woodstock
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department is looking for help through Crime Stoppers in solving a robbery that happened at a gas station last week. The robbery occurred on the morning of August 11 at the intersection of Green Street and Lincoln Avenue. Officials said that at 12:40 a.m., a man entered the Circle K at the intersection and demanded money from the cash register. He kept one hand in his pocket to simulate possession of a gun, officials added. The clerk complied and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money. He left the gas station heading southwest. The suspect is described a Black male with a slender build; his age is unknown. He was wearing a black hoodie, a black mask, gray sweatpants, white socks and dark-colored slides with white stripes across the top.
(Urbana-jm) — Emergency crews responded to what was reported as a chemical spill on the University of Illinois campus Monday afternoon. The spill happened in Boneyard Creek near Goodwin Avenue. An Illini Alert was sent at 12:45, warning of the situation and asking people to stay away from the scene. Just 10 minutes later, another Illini Alert was sent indicating the emergency had ended. The Urbana Fire Department says that one engine responded after an unknown substance was reported in the creek. The source of the substance is unknown, but firefighters determined it was not a hazard. They isolated the substance to prevent it from flowing down the creek.
(Pontiac–dm)-Step back in time at the Central States Threshermen’s Reunion,
?held annually over Labor Day weekend at Pontiac. The first show was in 1949 making this the second oldest steam show in the USA. Central States Thresherman’s Reunion President Dave Herz has more information.
Central States Thresherman’s Reunion President Dave Herz. The Reunion takes place at Thresherman’s Park, located at 14975 E. 2200 North Road Pontiac
(DANVILLE,-dm)- The Vermilion County Health Department, in partnership with Danville Area Community College and Keep Vermilion County Beautiful, will host a free electronics collection event from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. The event will take place in the north parking lot of DACC, 2000
East Main Street, Danville, and is open to all residents of Vermilion County.
This event invites residents to safely and responsibly recycle broken, outdated, or unwanted electronics.Participation is free, but voluntary donations to Keep Vermilion County Beautiful are welcomed to help fund
future community beautification projects.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker signed a proposal into law Friday to ban companies from manufacturing, selling and distributing firefighter protective gear that contain forever chemicals. The law requires companies selling protective equipment containing PFAS to provide written notice of why the chemicals are added to the gear by the end of the year. Illinois will ban people from selling any PPE containing forever chemicals to fire departments starting January 1, 2027. State lawmakers passed a bill in 2021 to eliminate a type of firefighting foam that contained toxic chemicals. That law established the PFAS disposal program and created civil penalties for failure to comply with the ban.
(Springfield-jm) – Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday to give landowners and farmers more flexibility to hunt deer on their property. Farmers across the state have told Democrats and Republicans that nuisance deer have caused expansive and costly damage to their crops and farmland. The law will allow the state to issue antlerless-only deer removal permits based on the percentage of permits redeemed in the previous season. It also expands youth hunting tags from one to two.
(Springfield-jm) – Texas Democrats have returned to the Lone Star State after walking out of the state’s redistricting plans and coming to Illinois to “hideout”. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington shares his thoughts on what was happening in Texas and whether redistricting should be done through an independent committee…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating after a string of electronic scooter thefts were reported on campus. UIPD said three electronic scooters were reported stolen from July 17 to August 15 at Bousfield Hall, which is located at the intersection of First Street and Peabody Drive in Champaign. All three scooters were secured at a bike rack, but the locks were undamaged and left behind or taken with the scooters when they were stolen, police said.
(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have increased by 3.1 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching an average of $3.38 per gallon, according to a survey conducted by GasBuddy across 4,378 stations in the state. Despite the recent uptick, prices are still 4.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 36.9 cents per gallon lower than the same time last year. The national average price of diesel has seen a decrease of 1.9 cents over the past week, now standing at $3.671 per gallon.
(Rantoul–dm)-The Half Century of Progress is taking place starting Thursday August 21st and running through August 24th in Rantoul. Half Century of Progress Spokesperson J.C. Reitmier tells us how the show got started.
Half Century of Progress Spokes Person J.C. Reitmier
CHAMPAIGN – In order to complete sewer maintenance, Hoerr Construction will close the following lanes of traffic in Champaign on Bradley Avenue: A westbound lane of Bradley Avenue between Hedge Road and Redwood Drive, also
An eastbound lane of Bradley Avenue between McKinley Avenue and Willis Avenue. The closures will occur on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from the hours of 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting.
WPXN News notes
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.
Christ Lutheran High School’s annual Knight for Christ Benefit Auction is set for Saturday, August 23, at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin. The event features a silent auction starting at 4 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a live auction. Reservations are required and cost $50. For more information, people can visit the school’s website, www.christlutheranbuckley.com.
The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup starting Monday, August 25th and going from the west side of town to the east side.
