(The Center Square) – A public education advocacy group says Illinois students are still struggling with academic proficiency. Advance Illinois held a virtual briefing Tuesday on the state of public education in the Land of Lincoln. Advance Illinois President Robin Steans noted that most Illinois students are not proficient, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters of key dates, regulations, and safety practices for the upcoming archery deer hunting season. Illinois’ statewide archery deer season opens on Wednesday. In counties with a firearm deer season and west of Illinois 47 in Kane County, archery hunting will be open for three periods with the first from October First through November 20th.There has been a change to the 2025 restricted archery zone. Only antlered deer may be harvested during October in Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt (except Allerton Park) counties to improve the deer population in those counties.
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers may be put on the hook to pay for a more than three-quarters of a billion dollar fiscal cliff for mass transit in the Chicago region. Regional Transportation Authority officials point to a combined 771 million dollar budget shortfall in annual spending. Authorities warn if the fiscal cliff isn’t addressed, changes to the system’s more than one million daily riders could face services cuts from 24 hours to the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
(The Center Square) – One-hundred military troops are being requested for Illinois by the federal government to go to Chicago. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is
claiming the Trump administration is authoritarian.
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker.. U. S Attorney General Pam Bondi says the troop help is coming to quell "coordinated attacks by radical extremists" on ICE agents who are just doing their jobs. During recent protests, some attending were calling for the arrest of ICE agents and several had weapons. The Department of Justice announced Monday they charged five individuals with assault and resisting federal officers engaged in immigration enforcement.
(Lake Iroquois-jm) – E.R.H. Enterprises, Inc. has issued a boil order for parts of the Lake Iroquois Association Community. The action is for residences in the area of the intersection of Navaho and Dakota (5 houses on the cul-de-sac on Navaho and 8 homes on Dakota) until further notice.
(Ogden-jm) – U-S 150 at Route 49 near Ogden is reopened following a two vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon. Illinois State Police say the crash involved a semi and an SUV that rolled over. No injuries were reported.
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department arrested a man after he reportedly entered a victim’s residence by claiming to be a maintenance worker and then attempted to steal from the victim. Officers responded to the area of South Cottage Grove Avenue and East Burkwood Drive around 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday for a report of a home invasion. After investigating, they learned that 60-year-old Michael A. Willis claimed to be a maintenance worker to gain access to the home and then used physical force to attempt to steal money from the victim. Police said the victim pushed Willis away to escape and called police. Officers began to search the area and found Willis about an hour later. He was taken into custody without incident. Officers are stressing the importance of being cautious when allowing unknown people into your home. If in doubt, the police department suggested verifying a person’s identity through official sources before letting them inside.
(Paxton–jc) The local business climate continues to grow in the city of Paxton. With new shops, a wide variety of businesses and services, Paxton is a destination city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about a recent bus group shopping in Paxton…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Bloomington–jc)--The 2025 Illinois Grain Tour stopped in Bloomington Tuesday. The tour is intended to develop relationships that could increase export sales of Illinois agricultural products. The grain tour includes stops at several businesses as well as the Illinois Soybean Association and the Chicago Board of Trade. The tour runs through Thursday around Illinois.
(Cissna Park–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Kino’s Coffee. The local business has grown from a start in Cissna Park to the downtown area of Paxton and just recently in the downtown area of Rantoul. Kinos Coffee co-owner Jared Kaeb says the shops feature some great international coffee…
Jared Kaeb says the shops roast their own coffees that come from Mexico…
Kinos Coffee co-owner Jared Kaeb.
Orders can be made on line and you check them out on facebook
Kinos Coffee of Cissna Park, Paxton, and Rantoul, The WPXN Business of the day, today
(Chicago–jc) – Ground is broken for the first project at the planned Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park at Quantum Shore on Chicago’s South Side. The PsiQuantum facility will be the anchor tenant and house the first utility-scale, error-corrected quantum computer at the park.Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said the state has invested $700 million of taxpayer funds to cement Illinois’ leadership in quantum computing.
The Joint Employers representing Illinois companies and workers have released a statement after the state’s AFL-CIO announced it would withdraw from the agreed bill process.The groups said the agreed bill process set the standard for collaboration on complex issues for more than four decades. The Joint Employers said they are disappointed organized labor has chosen to lean into the politics of division.
(South Shore–jc) –The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is responding after federal authorities raided a building in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood Tuesday morning.Initial reports indicate at least 40 people were taken into custody at a building which was believed to be housing a Venezuelan migrant. ICIRR called it “part of a prolonged attack on Chicago communities by [President Donald] Trump and other MAGA leaders.”
(The Center Square) – While Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains unchallenged in the 2026 Democratic Party primary, Republican candidates for governor are lining up support. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski has declared for the Republican nomination for Illinois Governor. 42nd District Representative Republican Jeanne Ives (jean- Ives) endorses Dabrowski…
42nd District State Representative Jeanne Ives, republican from Wheaton
(Roberts-Melvin-jm) – Roberts Melvin firefighters were called to a combine fire Tuesday evening. The call came in at 3400 east 100 north in Livingston County around 7:45.
(Undated-jm) – A resolution has been introduced to declare September 12 as "The Day of the Bible," in Illinois. House Resolution 474 was introduced by State Representative Brad Halbrook. It’s unknown if it will be brought forward for a vote.
(Urbana–jm) – The David and Katie Parkhill family has donated $1 million to transform breast cancer care at the Mills Breast Cancer Institute. The money will establish the Katie Parkhill and Family Fund at Mills Breast Cancer Institute. The gift was announced as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month for the Campaign for Carle Health. The donation is made in memory of Katie Parkhill. It is meant to advance diagnostic and surgical technology, expand nurse navigator support, and enhance patient-centered services at Mills Breast Cancer Institute.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce will see a huge crowd in the city on Saturday. The 7th annual Paxton Wine and Chocolate Walk has sold out, again for the event on October 4th. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack says event goers will be visiting 23 stops in the city starting at 11am on Saturday…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul Recreation Department is hosting a trip to the Bridgeton Covered Bridge Festival. The trip is set for Tuesday October 14th. Those 55 and up may participate in the ride that leaves Rantoul at 8am with a 4pm return trip. One may register by call the Rantoul Recreation Department at 217-893-57-hundred
WPXN News notes…
The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a flu clinic on Thursday, October 2nd from 10-3 at the health department office in Paxton.
Hudson Drug and Hallmark will host a COVID booster, RSV, shingles, pneumonia and flu vaccine drive for seniors on Friday, October 3rd from 9-10:30 am at Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley.
The Rankin Lions Club will hold their First Friday Dinner on Friday, October 3rd from 4:30-7:30 pm.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their family dinner on Friday, October 3rd from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes chicken, fish or shrimp and 2 sides for $15.
Thomasboro Fall Townwide Garage sales will take place Friday, October 3rd and Saturday, October 4th.
