(The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons has contacted the attorneys general of California, Illinois and New York about their states’ noncompliance with ICE detainer requests and policies of releasing dangerous criminals onto the streets. The states have policies prohibiting local jurisdictions, including jails and prisons, from complying with ICE detainer requests. ICE has lodged thousands of detainer requests with jurisdictions where illegal foreign nationals are already in custody after they’ve been charged with crimes in order to transfer them into federal custody.
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor JB Pritzker announced the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair attendance totaled over 1 million in 2025.
The governor said that Illinois state fairs are a part of a time-honored tradition for generations of families and this year’s attendance figures are proof of the enduring value of state fairs as over 1 million attendees Springfield welcomed 723,079 attendees to the Illinois State Fair, marking the second-largest turnout in its history.
The Du Quoin State Fair drew 282 thousand people, breaking the previous record of 204 thousand set last year.
Danville, IL- The Vermilion County Coroner, Jane McFadden stated that an early morning accident at the intersection of Bowman Avenue and Poland Road on Monday morning claimed the lives of two men; a 37-year-old Danville man identified as Jeremiah M. Thayer and a 56-year-old Covington, Indiana man identified as Robert A. Onley. Autopsies are scheduled and notification of next of kin for both men has been made. No information is available as to the condition of the other man involved. The Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.
(Paxton–jc) – City of Paxton leaders are applauding the efforts of a local group that is helping with some signage in downtown Paxton. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold provides some insight into the new signage coming on Pells street in the city…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Chicago–jc) – Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago has issued a statement after receiving criticism for plans to honor Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin at a November fundraiser for immigration ministry. Cupich said the event will recognize Durbin’s contributions to advance Catholic social teaching in the areas of immigration, care of the poor and world peace. Diocese of Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki said he was shocked that the Archdiocese of Chicago would honor Durbin with a lifetime achievement award when the senator has a long record of supporting legal abortion and opposed legislation to protect children who survive failed abortions.
(Springfield–jc) The Illinois Attorneys association said in a press release that two area attorneys have received a short suspension. The court released said that Thomas DeVore of Lichfield had an inappropriate relationship with a client and Lauren McQueen of Paris took 9 thousand dollars in funds from the Champaign County Bar Association. Both will be suspended from law practice from October 9th through December 9th.
(The Center Square) – With Illinois’ gun ban now in the hands of a three judge panel of the federal appeals court, some are plotting out what’s next.
This week’s oral arguments featured challenging questions from Judge Amy St. Eve for both sides. St. Eves is new to the panel. The other judges on the panel split in 2023, Judge Michael Brennan with the plaintiffs and Judge Frank Easterbrook with the state. Gun rights advocate Todd Vandermyde said it’s hard to tell which way the case goes with St. Eve on the panel. The district judge found the law unconstitutional last year after a four-day bench trial and thousands of pages of evidence and testimony.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Paxton Christmas Parade Committee. Paxton Christmas parade Committee Chairman Dawn Mertes says the parade is set for the same usual time on the Saturday after Thanksgiving…
she says the parade theme this year is “Once Upon a Christmas”...
Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairman Dawn Mertes
We will have more with Dawn on later newscasts today and a full interview during the noon news.
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is defending the use of taxpayer dollars for community violence intervention, even after he posed for a picture with an alleged C-V-I worker who was wanted in four states. The governor was at a support center at Joliet Junior College Tuesday. The governor was asked how he would make sure that taxpayer dollars were not going to people wanted for crimes.
(Urbana–jc) With the dry and hot weather, harvest has begun in East Central Illinois. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady says around 20 percent of soybeans have been harvested…
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady
(Rantoul–jc) Business in Rantoul continues to grow and the holiday shopping period is ready to begin soon. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third talks about the addition of Kinos Coffee to the downtown area of the village and the anticipation of 4th quarter shopping…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is directing state agencies to identify up to 4% of Fiscal Year 2026 general funds for the mitigation of White House policies. In an executive order announcement filled with criticism of President Donald Trump, the governor said he would conduct immediate budget reviews to identify efficiencies and reductions and limit non-essential spending and travel.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Buckley Loda High School track area is the venue for the 20-25 Paxton Area Down Syndrome Awareness Walk. the event is set for this sunday from noon until 2pm. The walk steps off at 1-15, and event spokesperson Darla Schall says money raised is going to books for local schools…
Paxton Area Down Syndrome Awareness Walk Event Spokesperson Darla Schall
WPXN News notes…
The Ladies Aid group of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buckley will have a bake/garage sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, September 26, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 27, at the Buckley American Legion post.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich dinner on Friday, September 26th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $8 and includes the sandwich and a side.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Country Line Dancing with DJ Maggie B on Friday, September 26th from 8-11 pm.
Gifford Fall Townwide garage sales will take place Saturday, September 27th.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Loda Methodist Men on Saturday, September 27th from 10-2.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their Mountain Oyster lunch on Saturday, September 27th from noon to 2pm. Cost is $15 and includes oysters, chicken liver and onions and gizzards.
Rantoul/Paxton VFW will host the West End Boogie Project band playing your favorites from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s Saturday 27th from 6-9.
