(Will County–jc) A state disaster proclamation has been declared for Boone, Cook, Kane, McHenry and Will counties after severe storms caused flooding and extensive damage last month. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued the proclamation Monday. The move ensures state resources can be directed to support local response and recovery efforts and help determine if the disaster qualifies for federal assistance.
(The Center Square) – As Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson push for more community violence intervention funding from the federal government, two anti-violence workers have made news for alleged criminal actions. Prosecutors say seven men are charged with murder after a crash-and-grab burglary led to a crash and killed a motorist on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago last week. C-W-B Chicago reported that one of the men charged works as an anti-violence peacekeeper. Keller McMillan, 35, also has three out-of-state fugitive warrants and an in-state warrant. Another anti-violence worker was sentenced to 22 years in prison for carjacking three vehicles and shooting one of the victims in the leg. Jamari Edwards, 22, received the sentence last week.
(Chicago–jc) Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar has died at the age of 79, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.Edgar was governor from 1991 to 1999 after previously serving as Illinois secretary of state for ten years. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker offered some words about Jim Edgar…
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker.
The governor ordered flags across Illinois to half-staff in honor of Edgar’s legacy.
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois State Board of Education has voted to adopt new performance levels and proficiency benchmarks for state assessments. The move will affect how Illinois measures whether students are achieving grade-level proficiency in English, mathematics and science and whether they are ready for college. The new performance levels are now lower to meet the standards. 65th district State Representative Dan Ugaste, Republican from Geneva says lowering standards does not help with the education of our children…
65th District State Representative Dan Ugaste, Republican from Geneva
(Rantoul–jc) – The Prospect Substation project for the village of Rantoul continues. The major upgrade to the electrical services in the village will take a while to complete and is a large investment by the village says Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Undated–jc) With the drought like conditions throughout East Central Illinois, Ford County ESDA Director Terry Whitebird along with the Champaign County Fire Chief's Association are asking all residents to refrain from open burning. The dry conditions continue today and these conditions are expected to worsen over the coming weeks, increasing the risk of fire hazards. Whitebird says that the safety of our communities and residents is our highest priority, and asks for your
cooperation in reducing fire risks during this critical period.
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton leaders are looking at the latest proposal for a new contract with some city workers. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says information was given out last week and the full council will meet on Thursday night…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker has proclaimed September 15-21, 2025, Rail Safety Week in Illinois In recognition, the Illinois Commerce Commission and Operation Lifesaver, a national rail safety non-profit, will be sharing life-saving rail safety information around the state. Around four in every five collisions occur where active warning devices like gates, bells, or flashing signs are already installed. In 2024, 104 collisions were reported at public highway-rail crossings in Illinois, resulting in 20 fatalities and 52 injuries.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Republican from Savanna) has announced her support for House Bill 50. McCombie says the proposed bill puts Department of Corrections worker safety ,first by tightening control of inmate mail…
89th District State Representative and Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Republican from Savannah
(Washington–jc) What is the latest on the U-S soybean supply and demand estimate? World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski has some answers…
World Agriculture Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski
(Springfield–jc) State lawmakers passed a House Resolution to make this week, National Farm Safety Week. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, republican from Emmington says harvest time is here…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington
(Gibson City–jc) – Gibson Area Hospital and Auxiliary has a blood drive set for early October. The event takes place at the Gibson Area Hospital Education Center on East 8th street in the city. You can schedule an appointment by calling the Red Cross at 800-733-2767 or visit Red-Cross-Blood-Dot-Org
WPXN News notes…
The Rantoul Public Library will host Steve Burns, the original host of Blues Clues tonight. The virtual event is set for 7pm.
Impact Life will hold a blood drive at the American Lutheran Church on Wednesday, September 17th from 11:30-2:30.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, September 18th from 9-930 at Edge Insurance in Buckley, 10-10:30 at Durham Park in Onarga, 11-11:30 at the Crescent City community center, 12:30-1 at the Watseka Trinity Church and 1:30-2 at the Milford post office.
Downtown Gibson City will host its monthly Friday Night Car Cruise on Friday, September 19, featuring classic cars cruising and parked along Sangamon Avenue, plus live music by Jordan and Jill from 6-9 p.m. and food vendors throughout the evening.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their monthly breakfast on Saturday, September 20th starting at 6am. Cost is $8 and includes pancakes and sausage and your choice of orange juice or coffee.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting Angel Warriors on Saturday, September 20th from 10-2.
