(Undated-jm) – The longest-serving statehouse speaker in U.S. history reported to a West Virginia prison Monday. Michael Madigan is set to serve seven and a half years behind bars for public corruption. The man who led the Illinois House and state Democratic party for nearly half a century is starting his next chapter as a federal prisoner. Madigan will serve 90 months behind bars, but he will also have to go through three years of probation and pay a $2.5 million fine. Jurors found Madigan guilty on 10 of 23 counts of corruption in February. Yet, a federal judge said Madigan deserved an enhanced sentence because he repeatedly lied on the witness stand during trial.
(Rantoul–jc0 Rantoul Village leaders will look to rezone several properties when they meet tonight in monthly session. One property is at 301 West Keal Avenue and the second is to rezone a village property for a mini-storage operation. Board members will also head an update on the downtown streetscape project. The Rantoul Village board meeting comes to order at 6 tonight in the board room on tanner street.
(Chicago–jc) –According to the latest Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 1,689 employees across the state will be losing their jobs in the coming months. The layoff numbers include 289 jobs at Weiss Memorial Hospital and 168 at Industrial Container Services, both in Chicago.
Capital One Financial/Discover Financial Services of Riverwoods provided supplemental notice of 392 layoffs.
(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have fallen 9.8 cents per gallon over the past week, now averaging $3.18 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations across the state. Prices in Illinois are 26 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 28.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has also decreased, dropping 3.5 cents from last week to $3.628 per gallon.
(Springfield–dm)-The first week of Illinois’ Fall Veto Session will be getting under way this week. 53rd. District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican, from Chanahon tells us what he expects.
53rd. District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican, from Chanahon.
(Iroquois County-jm) – Bridge work is closing a section of Cable Line Road in Iroquois County. The bridge closure is in Martinton Township 2200 E Road, the closure is between 2700 and 2800 N Road, until further notice.
(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Police Department and Champaign County Crime Stoppers are looking for the public’s help in finding the person responsible for a burglary that happened a month ago. The crime happened on September 17 at Twice The Ice Shop, located on East Grove Avenue in Rantoul. Officials stated in a news release that police officers went to the business in response to a building check request. Upon arrival, they found the exterior lock had been cut off the building and someone went into the office area of the business. The suspect was captured on surveillance footage, from which Crime Stoppers provided still frames. The suspect was a white male with an average build and a tattoo on his left forearm. He was 30-40 years old and was wearing a black tank top, black pants, Croc-style shoes, a black or brown camouflage hat and was using a red bandana to cover his face.
(Chicago–jc) –Two Illinois Lottery players have each won $1 million prizes playing Powerball.The winning tickets were purchased at Road Ranger in Rochelle and Express Lane Shell in Colona. Both retailers will receive $10,000 bonuses for selling the winning tickets.
(Bedford Park–dm)-The Basketball Museum of Illinois is currently under construction in Bedford Park. Basketball Museum of Illinois Chairman Bruce Firchau (Firshaw) has more information
Basketball Museum of Illinois Chairman Bruce Firchau. Bruce Firchau will have a program at Rossville Alvin High School on October 29.
(Chicago–jc) –The Chicago Jewish Alliance has offered a response to the release of 20 hostages held by Hamas and the announcement of a ceasefire plan in the Middle East. In a statement provided to The Center Square, the CJA said the return of the hostages is not only a political development but a profoundly human one.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Donald Trump and said no American president has ever done more for Israel.
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education announced the state’s Blue Ribbon Schools for 2025 after the U.S. Department of Education canceled the federal program recognizing academic excellence and student achievement. Fifteen public schools and 13 private schools were recognized, including 11 Catholic schools from the Archdiocese of Chicago.
According to the National Center of Education Statistics, Illinois had 4,408 public schools in 2022 and 1,230 private schools in 2021.
(Hoopeston–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Lithgow Motorsports of Hoopeston. Among the brands carried for outdoor vehicles include Ski-Doo, Can-Am and Sea-Do. One new item offered are electric bicycles. Lithgow Motorsports Owner Phil Lithgow talks about the popularity of electric bicycles…
From Can-Am A-T-Vs, Ski-Do Snowmobiles, Dixie Chopper lawn mowers and Mahindra Tractors, Lithgow Motorsports of Hoopeston is a one stop shop for things outdoors. The business was started by the Lithgow family in 1997 and now something new is electric bicycles. Lithgow Motorsports owner Phil Lithgow says the electric bikes are good for exercise and more…
Lithgow Motorsports Owner Phil Lithgow
Lithgow Motorsports is open at 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.
They carry a full line of parts and accessories too. Lithgow Motorsports, Route 1 near Route 9 in Hoopeston…The WPXN Business of the Day, today.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Municipal League announced that 656 municipalities across the state, more than half, have adopted an ordinance establishing a 1 percent local grocery tax. This is to replace the statewide grocery tax that will expire on January 1, 2026. The statewide 1% grocery sales tax was repealed as part of the State Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The Illinois Municipal League says that, without this funding, many municipalities could face significant budget shortfall, possibly impacting services like public safety, public utilities, and infrastructure maintenance and repair. The deadline for municipalities to have passed an ordinance and file it with the Illinois Department of Revenue was October 1 to make sure it takes effect January 1, A good number of towns and cities in the state have adopted the local tax including Rantoul, Hoopeston, Mahomet, Gibson city, Milford, Cissna Park, Saint Joe, Ogden and Gilman. The city of Paxton and Champaign were not on the list. October first was the deadline for a new local tax ordinance to have it start on January First.
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton leaders will look at a pump repair when they meet tonight at city hall. Council members will also look to an ongoing contract with the Ford County Sheriff’s Office for dispatching services. The Paxton City council meets at 7 tonight on the second floor of city hall.
(Paxton–dm)-The Paxton Church of Christ has announced that there has been a change of performers for this Friday’s Gospel Concert. Paxton Church of Christ Pastor Kevin Heiser has the information.
Paxton Church of Christ Pastor Kevin Heiser
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois is offering a chance for people to recycle pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns in a more sustainable way. As an alternative to throwing pumpkins out, the University of Illinois Extension is hosting pumpkin-smashing and composting events on November 8. Locally events will be held at the Office of Sustainability at ISU in Normal and the City of Urbana Landscape Recycling Center.
(Urbana-jm) – Each year in the United States, one in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s why many organizations are “going pink” to spread awareness in October. Some researchers on the University of Illinois campus are part of the movement, researching ways to improve outcomes for cancer patients. One method involves an ultrasound screening tool to see how patients are responding to therapy. Current methods can take months to detect whether or not someone is responding to cancer treatments. Another project involves small clips. The device uses ultrasound technology to find cancer growths, ultimately helping doctors during surgery and patients in the long run.
(Gilman–dm)- Harvest is underway in the WPXN listening area and Ford/Iroquois County FarmBureau Manager Casey Claire has an update on the progress being made.
Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Casey Claire
(Indianapolis–jc)– The National FFA Organization is one of six national organizations to receive a 10 million dollar grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. These grants are being awarded through the latest round of Lilly Endowment’s initiative, Character Development Through Youth Programs. This grant will enable National F-F-A to expand its current efforts of character development to regional and local levels that will benefit states, teachers and students.
(Springfield–jc) The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has delayed the stocking of catchable trout for the fall season until water temperatures are more suitable for the fish. IDNR said trout stocked in waters warmer than 68 degrees could experience high mortality. The official opening date for the fall trout season remains Oct. 18, but IDNR said trout will not be present at many sites until later this month. The agency said sites are expected to be stocked by Oct. 31.
(Illinois–jc0 A Texas hamburger chain tops a list of out-of-state brands Illinois residents would most like to see in the state. In MarketBeat’s survey of 3,011 respondents, Whataburger was the brand most Illinoisans most wanted. Second on the list was Buc-ee’s, another Texas-based company, which is known for super-sized gas stations and convenience stores.
WPXN News notes…
The EAA Chapter 29 will hold a Young Eagles Flight Rally on Saturday, October 18th from 9-11 am at the Rantoul National Aviation Center.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the LIA Auxiliary on Saturday, October 18th from 10-2.
The Ford County Public Health Department will host a flu clinic on Saturday, October 18th from 10-2 at the health department office in Paxton.
The Gifford Fire Department will hold their spaghetti dinner on Saturday, October 18th from 4-7 pm at the German Fall Festival Building.
Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will hold a drive thru pork chop dinner on Sunday, October 19th from 10:30-12:30. Dinner includes two boneless pork chops, cheesy potatoes, green beans, applesauce, dinner roll and white cake. Cost is a freewill donation.
The Cissna Park Library will hold a Halloween Fun Night on Friday, October 24th from 4:30-6 pm. Activities include games, prizes and more for kids pre-k through 4th grade.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Howl 2 Go Dueling Pianos on Friday, October 24th at 7pm.
