(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court has chosen Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. as the 123rd Chief Justice. Neville will be the second Black Chief Justice in Illinois history, following the late Justice Charles E. Freeman, who served from 1997 to 1999. His three-year term starts October 26, 2025. Chief Justice Neville said public trust in the courts "requires justice that is accessible, procedures that are understandable, and support services that meet the needs of litigants."
(Undated-jm) – The pleasant fall temperatures will go away for a while, as the warmer weather makes a return. The comfortable temperature readings in the 70s the last several days are expected to go into hiding as this week unfolds. Central Illinois is expected to deal with summer heat today thru the weekend, maybe hitting the low 90s. Little to no rainfall is expected as well. That’s a concern as drought conditions are expected to worsen. Some areas have issued burn bans and area fire departments are asking for assistance from farmers if a field fire breaks out during harvest. The latest U-S Drought Monitor gets released tomorrow morning.
(The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says that liberal state policies have turned the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program into a magnet for abuse and a drain on taxpayers. 15th District Congresswoman Mary Miller, a Republican from Oakland says new language in a congressional bill takes illegal aliens off of snap…
15th District Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller, Republican from Oakland.
(Gibson City-jm) – It’s been one month since a chaotic situation in Gibson City, and the suspect still hasn’t been found. In August, Illinois State Police said that David Jordan shot a Gibson City police officer and a Ford County sheriff’s deputy in Gibson City. Law enforcement responded to reports of a naked man. As they were trying to approach the 70-year-old, he opened fire. Shortly after the shots were fired his home went up in flames. The officer and sheriff’s deputy have been released from the hospital. Illinois State Police said they do not have any updates, and the case is still ongoing. Their tip line is still open however, and they’re encouraging anyone with information to contact them.
(Washington–jc) The soybean harvest is coming very soon. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey takes a look at the area and nation’s soybean crop as we go into the second week of September…
(Urbana-jm) – Urbana Police are looking for two suspects that fled on foot from a shooting that left a man in serious condition. On Monday, September 8, at approximately 12:35 p.m. Urbana Police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1300 block of Dublin Street. Upon arrival, officers located a 24-year-old male inside a residence, suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers found that the victim was shot outside and entered a nearby house afterward. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is currently listed in serious condition. No other people inside the residence were injured.
(Rantoul–jc) The maze is ready and open at Hardy's Reindeer Ranch just west of Rantoul. Along with the “reindeer games” themed maze, co-owner Mark Hardy says there are lots of activities for the whole family…
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch co-owner Mark Hardy
(Crescent City-jm) – The boil order for the area near Florida Drive in Crescent City is now lifted. E.R.H Enterprises issued the boil order Monday after a major water main break. Some two dozen residences were included in the boil order along Church Street, E. Florida and also on Grant, Maple and Ash north of E. Florida.
CHAMPAIGN, IL — The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois and Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 are urging stronger protections for first responders after two firefighters and a paramedic were stabbed during a September 4 emergency call. The organizations will be available to discuss the incident and statewide concerns about first responder safety following the detention hearing for Trevor Lewis at 10 this morning at the Champaign County Courthouse.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Corrections doesn’t know how many recently released prisoners have gone on to commit new crimes, WGN Investigates has learned. Tracking recidivism rates are a key metric to determine whether the state is effectively rehabilitating convicted criminals or merely warehousing them. In fact, reducing recidivism is mentioned two dozen times in IDOC’s most recent annual report. However, IDOC officials acknowledge they have not been able to calculate the recidivism rate since 2022 due to what they describe as a computer “programming issue.” In 2022, the last time the number was updated, IDOC reported just under 37-percent of inmates re-offended within three years of their release.
(Washington–jc) The Federal Department of Justice is suing the state of Illinois for using tax payer monies on school fees for illegal aliens. Reaction on the issue from 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, republican from Channahon…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Rantoul-jm) – The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services is investigating Lincoln’s Challenge Academy in Rantoul. A spokesperson with DCFS confirmed to WCIA that the agency is investigating the educational institution but declined to provide further details because this is an open investigation. WCIA reached out to the Illinois National Guard, who advises Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy. A spokesperson for the National Guard confirmed that a staff member has been terminated for “policy violations.”
(Paxton–jc) The annual Paxton Swine and Dine is set for Saturday September 20th in the downtown area of Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says registration is now open for the barbeque contests, bags tournaments and party pit passes are also available…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — University of Illinois alumnus Larry Gies has made a 100 million gift to the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics . The commitment is the largest gift in the school’s history and represents one of the largest single gifts ever received by a college athletics program. Gies, whose name also adorns the University's College of Business, is one of the most influential philanthropists in Illinois history, and his unprecedented support will create an immediate and lasting impact for current and future Fighting Illini student-athletes. In recognition of Gies' contribution, Illinois' Memorial Stadium, just one year removed from its 100th anniversary, will now be known as Gies Memorial Stadium.
(Washington–jc) – The corn harvest is underway in parts of the U.S. during this second week of September U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the crop around the area and nation…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
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.
