(Undated-jm) – Illinois Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups that crafted the state's Pretrial Fairness Act are furious that President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end cashless bail policies. Trump's action is once again putting Illinois in the national spotlight. More than a quarter of a million people were incarcerated in Illinois jails every year before the Pretrial Fairness Act took effect. Advocates said 90% of those people were legally innocent awaiting trial, and the vast majority of them were only behind bars because they could not afford to pay bail. Democrats say Trump's attack on the historic law and pretrial reforms nationwide is not about safety. They argue that Trump is a deeply unpopular, failing president who is trying to make people afraid so that he can hold onto power by brute force.

 

 

(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 sale of social media company Tik-Tok and why its important…

 

U–S Representative and Illinois U-S Senate Candidate Raja Krishnamorthi.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A long awaited construction project in Champaign County is one step closer to being completed. The first flyover bridge of the I-57/I-74 interchange opens today. Drivers going westbound on I-74 can easily go southbound onto I-57.  Eastbound 74 traffic also has no issues going southbound onto 57 at this point.  The eastbound 74 to northbound 57 flyover is expected to be finished in December 2025.

 

(CenterSquare-bp) -Who is being effected by a new healthcare benefits law in the U. S   Vice President J.D. Vance was asked about Democrat’s criticism that the law will removes some illegal aliens and some that don’t fit the criteria for  health care benefits.  The vice president says the measure provides benefits for those who deserve them…

 

U S Vice President J D Vance.

 

(Urbana-jm) – On Tuesday, members of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force executed arrest warrants in the 2400 block of Burlison Drive in Urbana, leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Dekarri Trice and a 17-year-old juvenile. Both individuals are facing charges of first-degree murder. The arrests are connected to the investigation into the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Sherman McCraney, which took place in the 2000 block of Vawter Ave. in Urbana in February 2025.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Today is the big day for the “crown on the town” project in the city of Paxton. It has been a goal of the Paxton Foundation since 1984 to replace the vintage top of the former Paxton water tower in the downtown area.  Paxton Foundation President Royce Baier says the lift will start around 9 this morning…
            

 

Paxton Foundation President Royce Baier. The public is urged to be cautious around the project during today’s lift.

 

(Chicago–jc)  –Oral arguments began yesterday in a case challenging a state mandate requiring health insurers to include abortion coverage in their plans.

Attorneys from the Thomas More Society filed suit in Illinois Appellate Court on behalf of the Illinois Baptist State Association in 2020.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has ordered a company which operates automated licensed reader systems to shut off U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s access to license plate camera data.Giannoulias said Flock Safety violated state law by allowing the federal agency to access cameras.

The revelation comes just two months after Giannoulias ordered Flock to block outside law enforcement from seeking Illinois data related to abortion and immigration.

 

(Decatur-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a $2 billion investment from Cronus Chemicals LLC to construct a new fertilizer production facility in Tuscola Tuesday. Supported by DCEO with an Economic Development for a Growing Economy agreement, the new investment will create 130 new jobs. Pritzker's office said it will bolster the state’s manufacturing and agricultural industries and reduce the state’s reliance on imported nitrogen products. ? ?

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new workforce initiative in Illinois is hoping to provide working adults with better access to short-term work credentials to help them get better paying jobs. Public News Service’s Judith Ruiz-Branch has the details…

   

(Decatur-jm) – The 2025 Farm Progress Show is underway in Decatur, and Case IH is showcasing some of its newest, most powerful machines and technology. The company is unveiling a fully redesigned Farmall lineup, including the A, C, and M lines, along with a world-first debut: the 785 Steiger tractor, the most powerful Case IH Steiger ever made. Case IH will also feature several machines in live field demonstrations. As one of the largest farm shows in the world, Farm Progress brings thousands of people to Decatur each year. It runs through tomorrow.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –  One area legislator continues to push for fiscal responsibility in Illinois as Illinois Governor J B Pritzker signed a measure into law that allows illegal aliens access to college and higher education grants, ahead of Illinois citizens. Reaction from 88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur…

 

88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois experienced a tourism surge in 2024, welcoming 113 million domestic and international visitors who spent a record $48.5 billion, according to data from Tourism Economics. This marked an increase of 500,000 visitors and $1.3 billion in spending compared to 2023. The tourism boom also led to a new all-time high in hotel tax revenue, totaling $367 million in FY25—a 14% increase over the previous record set in FY24.

 

(Springfield–jc)-- Working with the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs, 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer sponsored a new law amending  the School Code for a veterans grant program. Representative Schweitzer says it offers some veterans families opportunities for scholarships…

   

104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer, Republican from Danville

 

 

(Springfield–jc)  – The Illinois State Board of Education is asking school district administrators to complete the board’s Modernization District Survey this week.

Board leaders  says the request is part of an effort to modernize data systems, reduce duplication and build secure, user-friendly tools.

 

CHICAGO, August 26, 2025 — One lucky Illinois Lotto player is starting the week 14 point 6 million dollars richer after matching all six numbers in  Mondays,  Lotto drawing. This is the largest Lotto jackpot won in 2025. The winning ticket was sold at Crown Mart, located at 306 E. Broadway in East Saint Louis, Illinois. The winning Lotto numbers were: 5-9-14-18-22-23. For selling the winning ticket, Crown Mart will receive a bonus of $104,000, one percent of the prize amount.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The Central States Thresherman’s Reunion takes place 3 miles north of Pontiac tomorrow through Monday. This year’s feature is the Massey Harris Expo of North America. Tractor pulls on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Prairie State Christian Camp on Saturday, August 30th from 10-2.

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Tuesday, September 2nd 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.

 

Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays Concert Series on Friday, September 5th at Veterans Square. The Brat Pack will perform hits from the 80s.

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours on Thursday, September 11th from 5:30-7:30 pm.

The Shop in the Park in Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, September 13th from 9-1. Activities include craft and vendors, live music and food.

 

The Grammy-nominated rock band Fuel is the headlining musical act for the annual Gibson City Harvest Fest on Saturday, September 13th in downtown Gibson City. Opening for Fuel is the Champaign-based party band X-Krush. General admission to the concert is free.