(Springfield-jm) – Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in 6 metro areas, increased in 4, and remained unchanged in 2 for the year ending August 2025, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Locally in Champaign County the unemployment rate fell from 4.9 percent to 4.8 percent. In Ford County it rose from 4.5 percent to 4.7 percent. In Vermilion County it fell from 6.5 percent to 6.2 percent. In Iroquois County it rose from 4.6 percent to 4.8 percent.
(Springfield-jm) – Former Republican state senator Darren Bailey officially kicked off his second campaign for Illinois governor Thursday. Capitol News Illinois reports Bailey picked Cook County Republican Chairman Aaron Del Mar as his running mate. They think bringing two Republicans from opposite sides of the state gives them the best chance to win. Bailey lost the general election in 2023 to Governor J-B Pritzker. But Bailey says bringing on Del Mar will make things different this time…
Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey. Bailey joins DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, businessman Joe Severino and conservative researcher Ted Dabrowski in the Republican primary. Pritzker announced he is running for a third term in June.
(Urbana-jm) – The Illinois Health and Facilities Services Review Board has approved OSF’s permit application to discontinue certain services at the Urbana hospital. In July 2025, OSF HealthCare filed a formal application to discontinue major services at its Urbana hospital after reporting more than $600 million in combined losses at its Urbana and Danville locations. Some of OSF's executives summarized the project for the board, then there was a brief Q & A session. The vote was 9-0 to approve.
(Undated-jm) – The latest USDA drought monitor released yesterday shows conditions worsening. 96 percent of the state is now in drought conditions. Locally, northern two–thirds of Ford and Iroquois Counties are abnormally dry while the southern third of those counties plus most of Vermilion County are in moderate drought conditions. Most of Champaign County and all of Piatt County are in severe drought. The weather doesn’t look promising either with no rain in the forecast over the next 7 days with temps rising to the upper 80s/low 90s starting this weekend.
(Paxton–jc) – The process to pick the city of Paxton Christmas tree is underway by the local Paxton Service Club. They continue to look for that perfect tree to be donated to the city and Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairman Dawn Mertes says it takes a lot of groups to bring the annual holiday tree to the downtown area of Paxton…
Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairman Dawn Mertes
(Ludlow-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff's Office has arrested Jayson Johns, a Ludlow resident, on child pornography charges. Johns was taken into custody following a search of his home in the 100 block of North Locust Street. According to authorities, Johns confessed after his arrest and is now facing multiple counts of possession of child pornography.
(Paxton–jc) The track at Paxton Buckley Loda High school will be busy with walkers, and event goers on Sunday. It’s the annual Paxton Area Down Syndrome Walk. Event Spokesperson Darla Schall says the games and a free meal begin the day at noon on Sunday at PBL High School and the walk is set for 1-15 that afternoon…
Paxton Area Down Syndrome Walk Event Spokesperson Darla Schall.The public is invited to join in on the walk, food and fundraising.
(Paxton–jc) the Ford County Insurance and Personnel committee is set to meet on Monday in Paxton and will look at the current county employment handbook. Possible updates will be discussed. The meeting is set for 4-30 Monday afternoon in the Sheriff’s Boardroom at the county courthouse in Paxton.
(Rantoul–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Furniture World downtown Rantoul. The Van Blaricum family has been in the furniture business since 1959. Their motto has been consistent with the saying…Name Brand Furniture at everyday low prices. Furniture World will be hosting an anniversary sale in October. Furniture World is open 9 to 5 Monday through Fridays and 10 to 5 on Saturday. Furniture World offers a full line of items from sofas, couches, recliners, electric lift chairs, sectionals to a full line of Nationals Brand, Bemco mattresses.
(Springfield-jm) – Some Democratic lawmakers believe Illinois should be the first state to require voting for all eligible residents. A plan in Springfield would treat voting as a civic duty. State leaders estimate there are fewer than 10 million people eligible to vote in Illinois. Roughly 8.1 million Illinoisans are registered to vote, but only 5.7 million people cast ballots in the 2024 general election. However, Republicans said the state cannot force people to vote. The proposal states people would not face any fine, fee, or penalty if they choose not to vote.
(Springfield-jm) — The Illinois Department of Public Health has recommended all adults get a COVID-19 shot this fall despite federal guidelines that narrowed the group of people recommended for the shot. IDPH released a standing order that recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for all children between six and 23 months; children ages 2 through 17 that have an underlying risk or live in a home with another person who is at high risk for severe complications from COVID-19; any child whose parents want them to get a vaccine; people who are pregnant, planning to be pregnant or postpartum; and all adults. The recommendation bucks new and murky guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommend vaccines only for people ages 65 and older.
(Springfield-jm) – Rail safety week was last week in Illinois. State officials are trying to raise awareness around railroads and keep people safe. Illinois Deputy Governor Brea Scudder shares some stats on rail accidents in Illinois…
Illinois Deputy Governor Brea Scudder.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding deer hunters about locations where deer can be tested for chronic wasting disease free of charge. Chronic wasting disease is a deadly disease of the central nervous system in deer and elk. Firearm deer hunters in CWD counties can get a voluntary sample taken by a biologist when they bring harvested deer to mandatory physical check stations during the 2025 regular firearm seasons Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4–7. Go online for the locations of check stations. Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, IDNR’s Wildlife Disease Program identified 539 CWD-positive deer in 25 Illinois counties, including Ford, Kankakee and Livingston.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County’s Emergency Management Agency is sharing tips for people who are deaf in honor of a worldwide holiday. This week is International Week of the Deaf, and the EMA says there are several ways to get life-saving messages in the case of an emergency. People can sign up for the FEMA disaster app or get specialized plug-ins to their weather radio. Some examples are an attachment that will make your pillow vibrate with warnings, or a bright light to wake you up.
(Springfield–jc) Words matter, but both sides of the political debate are blaming and recusing. Dean Abbott reports…
(Buckley-jm) — Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley is warning area residents about a scam. According to the school, at least one person is going around selling candy bars claiming to raise money for the school. The school says they are not doing a candy bar fundraiser and advise people to not donate to the individual or individuals involved. They say to reach out to the police if they come to you.
(Champaign-jm) – Just nine months after a woman’s murder in Champaign, the man accused of that crime pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Carl Tribble Jr of Chicago, was in Champaign County court to plead guilty after reaching a deal with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to one Class X felony count of aggravated battery of a firearm while the state dismissed two counts of murder and another of battery with a firearm. The charges stemmed from the murder of 21-year-old Heaven Hope the night of December 9, 2024. Hope was shot as she was entering a business at West Springfield Avenue near the intersection with Kenwood Road, and she was pronounced dead at the hospital. Champaign Police said the shooting may have been the result of an argument outside the business involving Hope, the man she was with and Tribble. While Hope was shot multiple times, the man she was with was not hit by gunfire.
(Champaign–jc) Traffic along Route 150 in west Champaign was being re routed Thursday afternoon. The reason was a two vehicle crash. No word on any injuries and the road reopened to full traffic around 6 last night.
(Paxton–jc) The city of Paxton will be full of local citizens and welcome guests with the 7th annual Paxton Chamber Wine and Chocolate Walk. Paxton Chamber President Dawn Stack talks about wine, chocolate and business deals set for October 4th in the city…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Festival Committee has announced plans for their annual lighted Christmas Parade. The 31st annual Gibson City Lighted Christmas parade is set for Saturday November 22nd and steps off at 6-30 that evening. This year’s theme is a “comedic Christmas parade.” Organizers say to look for your favorite movie character in the parade this year.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
Buckley townwide garage sales are today and Saturday
The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich dinner this evening 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 this evening from 8-11 pm.
Gifford Fall Townwide garage sales will take place Saturday.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Loda Methodist Men on Saturday from 10-2.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their Mountain Oyster lunch on Saturday 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 from 6-9.
The annual Paxton Area Down Syndrome Awareness Walk is set for noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School.
