(Chicago-jm) – Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday said that the Trump administration will soon expand immigration operations in Chicago, confirming plans for a stepped up presence of federal agents in the nation's third-largest city as President Donald Trump continues to lash out at Illinois' Democratic leadership. Noem's comments come after the DHS last week requested limited logistical support from officials at the Naval Station Great Lakes to support the agency's anticipated operations. The military installation is about 35 miles north of Chicago. Trump lashed out against Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker in a social media posting Saturday, warning him that he must straighten out Chicago's crime problems quickly “or we're coming.” The Republican president has also been critical of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Johnson and Pritzker have pushed back against the expected federal mobilization, saying crime has fallen in Chicago. They are planning to sue if Trump moves forward with the plan.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois serves as a crucial access point for abortion services and sees the most out-of-state patients in the country. Public News Service’s Judith Ruiz-Branch reports…

   

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is set to continue the work of a task force addressing the affordable housing crisis thanks to a new state law. Democrats and Republicans believe the state should ensure access to housing loans, grants and other assistance for buyers and owners located in community land trusts. Sponsors said community land trusts can be a powerful solution for homeowners facing delinquent property taxes or other financial threats to continued homeownership. The task force could consider incorporating community land trusts into the local tax sale process and increasing the number of state grants available for organizational housing development. 

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Democrats would be “disarming” if they agreed to fair maps state by state. Pritzker was asked Wednesday about the Fair Maps Illinois initiative to establish a redistricting commission. Fair Maps Illinois is a nonpartisan effort led by two of former President Barack Obama’s Cabinet members. The bipartisan coalition is pushing for a 2026 ballot referendum on a constitutional amendment to establish a redistricting commission. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for South Suburban College’s Allied Health & Nursing Center in South Holland, Pritzker was asked if he would oppose Fair Maps at the state level

   

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign and Urbana fire departments put out a fire in an office building after they said a battery caught fire Saturday. It happened just after 12 p.m. in the 1800 block of South Oak Street. Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in the two-story office building. When crews arrived, they found a small fire contained to a charging battery.  The Champaign fire department said the fire was put out quickly. Investigators determined that it was accidental, and there were no injuries reported.

 

(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that where possible, construction zones will open up for the Labor Day Weekend.  WPXN’s Brayden Perzee has more information.

   

(Livingston County-jm) – The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were injured Thursday night in a crash involving a UTV vehicle.  The crash happened south of Chatsworth on County Road 500 North. A sheriff department spokesman said the UTV apparently ran off the pathway and into a waterway on private property. Two people riding the UTV were hurt.  A 71-year-old man was life-flighted from the scene. A 72-year-old woman was treated locally.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A local Central Illinois ice cream shop announced that it plans to close up one of its locations after Labor Day. On Sunday, The Main Scoop Ice Cream said it will close the doors to its Rantoul location for one final time today. The business cited a lack of community support for the closing. The Rantoul location opened for business in June, 2024. All of the other Main Scoop locations will remain open.

 

(Chicago-jm) – The mayor of Chicago pushed back Saturday against what he called the “out-of-control” Trump administration's plan to surge federal officers into the nation’s third-largest city, which could take place within days. The Chicago Police Department will be barred from helping federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement or any related patrols, traffic stops and checkpoints during the surge, according to an executive order signed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. The mayor directed all city departments to guard the constitutional rights of Chicago residents “amidst the possibility of imminent militarized immigration or National Guard deployment by the federal government.” Johnson also blocked Chicago police from wearing face coverings to hide their identities, as most federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have adopted since the Trump administration took charge this year. The federal surge into Chicago could start as early as September 5 and last about 30 days, according to two U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that had not been made public.

 

(Springfield-bp) - September is National Sucide Prevention Month, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is Launching two New PSAS to raise awareness… WPXN”s Brayden Perzee has the story…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) —- A new Illinois law could reduce discrimination in the life insurance industry.  The law will ban insurance companies from limiting or denying life insurance coverage based on a criminal record. Sponsors said families should not be put in debt because of a crime their loved one committed a lifetime ago. They also argue life insurance companies should provide coverage regardless of the crime someone committed.

 

(USDA–dm)-The Agriculture Secretary Thursday announced a new plan designed to boost veterinarian numbers in rural America. Rod Bain has the report.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Two people were hurt after a crash on the northside of Champaign. It happened just before 4 p.m. Friday on Market Street near Olympian Drive. Champaign County Sheriff's Office said, an 18 year old woman from Downers Grove was driving south on Market when tried to pass another vehicle. That is when she hit a Dodge Caravan driven by a 64 year old Newman woman. Both drivers were taken to the hospital and are expected to recover. The accident remains under investigation.

 

(Ford County–dm)-The Ford County Public Health Department is reminding all residents and property owners of the county’s Nuisance Ordinance. A nuisance could be, but not limited to garbage, junk vehicles, allowing weeds or undergrowth to grow to a height of two feet or more and maintaining dangerous or dilapidated buildings. Ford County Public Health Department Administrator Glenn Miller has more information.

 

Ford County Public Health Department Administrator Glenn Miller.

 

(St. Joseph-jm) – A 72-year-old woman was hurt in a vehicle vs. bicycle collision in St. Joseph. The man accused of causing that crash is now facing a DUI charge. 

The crash happened at the intersection of East Grand Street at Sherwood Drive. A vehicle, driven by Stanley Duitsman, 61, from Ogden, was turning from a stop sign when it struck the bicyclist, a 72-year-old female from St. Joseph. The female bicyclist was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, including a possible broken ankle.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

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 Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Night Supper on Friday, September 5th from 4:30–7 pm.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their family dinner on Friday, September 5th from 5-7pm. Cost is $15 and includes your choice of chicken, fish or shrimp and 2 sides.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Loda Sons of the American Legion on Saturday, September 6th from 10-2.

 

The Upper Room Bible Church in Paxton will hold a neighborhood block party on Saturday, September 6th from noon to 4pm. Activities include food, live music and games.