(Chicago-jm) – A federal judge partially blocked the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops to the Chicago area, but did not detail specifics in her ruling Thursday. U.S. District Judge April Perry didn’t lay out details of any order or say what part of the request she was granting as she spoke from the bench in her crowded courtroom. She promised more on Friday. The lawsuit was filed Monday by Chicago and Illinois to stop the deployments of Illinois and Texas Guard members. Some troops were already at an immigration building in the Chicago suburb of Broadview when Perry heard arguments on Thursday.
(Undated-jm) – Drought conditions continue to worsen across the area. The majority of Iroquois County except the far western and southwestern parts of the county are experiencing abnormally dry conditions while the rest of the county is considered in a moderate drought. North-eastern and eastern Vermilion County is also abnormally dry with the rest of the county in moderate drought. Most of Ford County except for areas north of Route 24 are experiencing severe drought. Areas north of Route 24 are in moderate drought. All of Champaign County is experiencing severe drought. With more dry conditions expected through the weekend, its expected drought conditions could worsen.
(Paxton–jc) – They are searching and need several options. The Paxton Service Club is looking for a donation Christmas tree for downtown Paxton. Paxton Service Club Spokesperson Judy Ondercho says the search continues…
Paxton Service Club Spokesperson Judy Ondercho
(Thomasboro-jm) – After a tense back and forth meeting, a Champaign County village is choosing to get rid of its police department. Thomasboro’s Board of Trustees voted to approve a contract with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, forcing the village’s police department to dissolve. The contract will start November 1st and go through the end of 2026.
(Buckley–dm)- On Friday, October 17th, The Buckley Lions Club will be hosting guest speaker John F. Bruns. John will share a unique experience using his father’s words and showing pictures his father took during World War II. Buckley Lions Club President Lisa Dippel has more information.
Buckley Lions Club President Lisa Dippel. The presentation will be held at the Buckley American Legion starting at 6:00pm.
(Livingston County-jm) – A Livingston County man was arrested on six counts of child pornography dissemination. On October 7th the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Pro-Active Section executed a search warrant on a resident in Dwight. This search warrant was initiated when a Livingston County detective assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cyber tip. Dane Barr of Dwight was taken into custody in Tazewell County and transported to the Tazewell County Jail. He is being charged in Livingston County with six counts of dissemination of child pornography. Barr may face additional charges based on further findings.
(Paxton–jc) Paxton’s 3rd annual Fall Gathering is this Saturday. A pancake breakfast starts at 8am. Porburgers and more will be available at mid-day. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says 17 vendors are coming and describes a few…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Vermilion County-jm) – Vermilion Advantage announced the departure of its President and CEO amid an ongoing bribery and misconduct investigation into the organization by Illinois State Police. Thursday afternoon Vermilion Advantage announced that per his request, the now former President and CEO Mike Marron is no longer employed by the organization, effective immediately. This comes just one day after Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy announced that her office received information on Tuesday of bribery and misconduct allegations against Vermilion Advantage, the Vermilion County Board and Vermilion County elected officials.
(Cissna Park–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Creekside Prairie in Cissna Park. The independent Senior Living complex is located on the north side of Cissna Park. Co-Owner Elsie Eisenmann says two local families have owned the business for over 16 years…
Elsie Eisenmann says there are a lot of activities for those living at Creekside Prairie in Cissna Park…
Creekside Prairie of Cissna Park Co Owner Elsie Eisenmann. They have several openings for one and two bedroom apartments. Give Elsie a call at 815-457-3311 for a guided tour. Creekside Prairie of Cissna Park, the WPXN Business of the Day, today
(Springfield-jm) – The government shutdown creeps toward another day and lawmakers are at a standstill. The major sticking point is expanding Affordable Care Act tax credits. Democrat lawmakers said Republicans are still opposing. Republican lawmakers said there's no debate happening–that Democrats must vote for a clean continuing resolution and wait for another day on the subsidies. If the Affordable Care Act tax credit expires at the end of the year, more than 500,00 Illinoisans can expect to pay double for their health insurance. For 2025 health coverage alone, nearly 466,000 Illinoisans signed up for affordable state marketplace insurance. This is a 17% increase for enrollment numbers. Governor Pritzker said $6.5 million in grant money was awarded to help eligible Illinoisans enroll in affordable healthcare. With the state insurance marketplace, Pritzker said Illinoisans were saving more than $500 dollars a month.
(Undated-jm) – With the continued dry conditions, emergency personnel around the area are urging people to not burn. The latest drought monitor released yesterday shows conditions worsening with all of Champaign County and southern two thirds of Ford County are in severe drought. The northern third of Ford County and most of Iroquois and Vermilion Counties are in moderate drought. With little to no rain in the forecast through the weekend, its possible conditions will get worse when the next drought monitor is released next Thursday.
(Bloomington–jc) In our update concerning IHSA Schools and the seedings for the state volleyball tournament, the seeding process is different this year. I-H-S-A Associate Executive Director Matt Troha says the seeds in each sub sectional will be fully seeded for all schools this year…
I H S A Associate Executive Director Matt Troha. Schools will be sending in their seeds for their respective sectionals today and the seedings will be released on this afternoon
(Champaign-jm) – The dates are set for the 2026 Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. Race officials announced on Thursday that the 2026 edition of the race weekend will take place April 23-26, and its theme will be “Leave Your Legacy.” Officials chose this theme to celebrate individual accomplishments by all who take part in the weekend. The 2026 Race Weekend will feature mainstays such as the marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and mile run, but race organizers are also introducing eight new multi-event I-Challenges.
(Champaign–dm)-Temperatures are dropping...and that means kids will start to get sick. When is it just heavy breathing….and when it is more serious? Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare breaks it down.
You should follow doctors’ orders on any treatment for your kid. In some cases, the provider might just recommend at-home care like saline in the nose...or over-the-counter pain relief medicine.
(Roberts–jc) The non profit group Jeremiah 33-6 is hosting a free produce pantry and health fair for all area residents today in Roberts. Jeremiah 33-6 Spokesperson Valarie Wright says several screenings and tests will be available for free…
Jeremiah 33-6 Spokesperson Valarie Wright
The event runs from 3pm to 5pm at the Roberts Gym.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The nonprofit group Jeremiah 33:6 will sponsor a free produce pantry and health fair for all residents, regardless of income, from 3 to 5 p.m. today at the Roberts Gym. The health fair is being conducted by the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University. Blood pressure, vision, hearing and color blindness screenings will be offered, along with hemoglobin A1C testing and wellness education.
The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry this evening from 4-6 pm.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner this evening from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for $10 per plate.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Grunge: The Sounds of Seattle this evening. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Paxton Lodge 416 on Saturday from 10-2.
The East Central Illinois Master Naturalists will hold a Sibley Burr Oak Grove workday on Saturday from 9-noon at the Sibley Burr Oak Grove Nature Preserve.
The Grand Prairie Friends will host a Prairie Seed Collection and Field Trip Day at the Loda Cemetery Prairie Nature Preserve on Saturday from 11-1.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Experience on Saturday. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.
The 75th Annual St. Malachy’s Fall Fest will take place on Sunday from 11-3. Activities include a turkey dinner, kids games and raffles. Cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $12 for kids under 12.
