(Springfield-jm) – Student teachers in Illinois now have more opportunities to be paid for their work. A new state law bans public universities from enforcing rules that block student teachers from being paid during their placement. While the law does not require payment for student teachers, it eliminates longstanding prohibitions that block school districts, colleges, and nonprofit organizations from providing stipends or wages.

 

(Gibson City–jc) A new community action group has been formed in Gibson City to look at ways to promote the Gibson City community and area towns. It is called, “The Greater Gibson Area Economic Alliance.” Several businesspeople, members of the city council and citizens met with Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey last November to start the group. The Greater Gibson Area Economic Alliance spokesperson Tom Bennett provides some insight into the purpose for the group…

   

The Greater Gibson Area Economic Alliance spokesperson Tom Bennett

 

(Urbana–jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect involved in an aggravated battery incident at a McDonald's in Urbana. The incident occurred on August 29, 2025, at approximately 7:58 p.m. at the McDonald's located in the 600 block of North Cunningham Avenue. According to police, a customer became irate when staff could not locate his online order. When an employee attempted to assist, the suspect forcibly grabbed the food, spilling it, and then threw a drink on the employee before fleeing the scene. The suspect, captured on video, is described as a Black male in his mid-30s, approximately 5’6” to 5’9”, 170 pounds, with braids in a bun. He was wearing black glasses, a grey long-sleeved shirt, and black pants. The order was placed under the name "Velly."

 

(Rantoul–jc)  There is a new coffee shop in downtown Rantoul. It is the 3rd location for Kino’s Coffee. The family owned business started in Cissna Park in 20-18, expanded to downtown Paxton and now is open in downtown Rantoul. Kinos co-owner Jared Kaeb says they are partnering with A House of Flowers in the downtown area of the village…

   

Kinos Coffee Shop Co-Owner Jared Kaeb. All three shops have a wide variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, along with homemade desserts to breakfast and lunch sandwiches. The Rantoul Kinos opened on September 2nd. 

 

(Danville-jm) – What was originally feared to be the area’s biggest firearms heist of 2025, 21 rifles reported stolen in July from a Danville VFW post, turned out to be a false alarm. Missing from the report dropped off at the Danville Public Safety Building was one key detail: They were ceremonial rifles. The rifles went missing before the state VFW was put in charge of Danville’s now-closed VFW Post 728. The ceremonial rifles were discovered missing during the administrative process of shutting down the Pine Street post, which had been suspended and had its charter revoked. The state VFW filed a police report and notified the federal branch that issues the rifle.

 

(Washington-jm) – Three Democratic candidates are vying to replace retiring U-S Senator Dick Durbin. One of those is Representative Robin Kelly, whose district extends from the southeast side of Chicago to all of Iroquois, most of Ford, the northern half of Vermilion and the northern third of Champaign Counties. Gun legislation has been a top priority for Kelly…

 

U-S Senate candidate and current U-S Representative Robin Kelly. Her opponents in the primary are current Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and U-S Representative Raja Krishnamorthi.

 

updated(Paxton–jc) Tickets for the 7th annual Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Wine and Chocolate Walk are on sale. The event date is Saturday October 4th. The event will run from 11am until 4-30pm. Only 250 tickets will be sold for the event and tickets are 30 dollars each. The event has sold out over the past several years. Eventbrite- on-line is one place to purchase tickets for the event

 

(Champaign–jc)   A detention hearing is set for tomorrow for a Champaign County man accused of stabbing several first responders last Thursday. W-C-I-A  has reported that the second firefighter hurt in Thursday night’s stabbing incident has been released from an area hospital. . Suspect, 23 year -old Trevor Lewis of Champaign, is being held in a Champaign County jail room pending the detention hearing on Wednesday.

 

(Chicago-jm) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it's starting operation 'Midway Blitz' in Chicago to target "criminal illegal aliens." The operation, according to Homeland Security, is in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run crash in Urbana earlier this year. Julio Cucul Bol was arrested several days later in connection with the crime. Police said at the time that Bol provided false information, and police believed he was a Mexican National. Bol later admitted he was a citizen of Guatemala, according to police. In January, Urbana police said Bol was driving an SUV when he rear-ended a car that was slowing down at a traffic light on University Avenue at Coler Avenue. Five people were in the car and two were killed: 20-year-old Abraham and 21-year-old Chloe Polzin. 

 

(Paxton–jc)  – The annual Paxton Swine and Dine is coming to the downtown area of Paxton this month. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says its a full day of cookout competitions, a kids zone and music…

   

Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper

 

(Champaign–jm) – The Harlem Globetrotters are set to bring their centennial celebration to Champaign this winter. The iconic basketball team will perform at the State Farm Center on January 9, 2026, as part of their 100-year tour. Fans eager to witness the Globetrotters' unique blend of athleticism, comedy, and entertainment can purchase tickets starting Monday, September 22, at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at StateFarmCenter.com/Globetrotters.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois Governor J B Pritzker has nominated two new members to serve on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. The state board has been under scrutiny for allowing too many convicted offenders to go back into society, with several committing new crimes. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon, has his perspective on the issue…

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Crescent City-jm) – E.R.H. Enterprises, Inc. has issued a boil order in Crescent City.  A major water main break on Florida Drive and Church Street led to the boil order, issued Monday. The boil order affects areas of Church Street, East Florida and on Grant, Maple and Ash north of East Florida until further notice.

 

(Roberts–dm)- On September 23rd the Ford County Emergency Agency will hold a public meeting to discuss how the county has been impacted by severe weather and other hazards.  Ford County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Terry Whitebird has more information. 

 

Ford County Emergency Management Coordinator Terry Whitebird.

 

(Livingston county–jc)   The Livingston County Health Department  Environmental Health Division shares that it has had mosquito batches test positive for West Nile Virus in Livingston County. The batches were collected near Odell. They were the first batches to test positive in the county this year. This month, officials from the Vermilion County Health Department reported positive West Nile in Mosquitoes near Danville, Fairmont and Ridge Farm. State health officials recommend avoiding being outdoors when mosquitos are most active, wearing clothes that cover the skin, using bug repellent, and reporting standing water to local governments.

 

(Paxton–jc)  – Paxton city leaders will look at city well inspections and repairs when they meet tonight in the city. Council members are also expected to approve bridge panel work on the Pells Street Bridge at the meeting. A redevelopment agreement is also on the agenda for a property at 234 North Market in the city. The Paxton City Council meets at 7pm  on the second floor of city hall. 

 

WPXN News notes…

 

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

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, September 12th from 9-10 at 185 W. Sangamon Avenue in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, September 12th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10 per plate and includes salad and garlic bread.

 

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.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Methodist Women of Paxton on Saturday, September 13th from 10-2.

 

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.