(Springfield-jm) – It figures that a billionaire would win big in Las Vegas. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reported a gambling windfall of $1.4 million on his federal tax return this week. The two-term Democrat, often mentioned as a 2028 presidential candidate, told reporters in Chicago on Thursday that he drew charmed hands in blackjack during a vacation with first lady MK Pritzker and friends in Sin City. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt hotel chain, has a net worth of $3.9 billion, tied for number 382 on the Forbes 400 list of the nation's richest people. A campaign spokesperson said via email that Pritzker planned to donate the money to charity but did not respond when asked why he hadn't already done so.

 

(Urbana–jc)  –Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer is releasing the name of an individual who has died as a result of injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle crash on State Route 1 in Vermilion County, Illinois on Wednesday afternoon

Patricia A. Hood, 52-year-old of Danville was pronounced dead at Carle Hospital 

An autopsy has been scheduled. The circumstances surrounding this crash are being investigated by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office.

 

(Undated-jc)  – A good number of “No Kings” protests are planned around the area, state and nation on Saturday. They include marches in Urbana, Kankakee, Pontiac and Champaign. There is also a planned “no kings” march in Paxton. That event is set for Noon in downtown Paxton. 

 

(Undated-jm) – The latest USDA drought monitor was released yesterday and as expected conditions are worsening across central Illinois. The majority of Ford County is in level 2 severe drought. The majority of Iroquois County is abnormally dry except the southwestern part which is in moderate drought. Along and west of I-57 in Champaign County has expanded into level 3 extreme drought with the rest of the county in severe drought. The majority of Vermilion County is in moderate drought with the northeastern part abnormally dry.

 

(Gilman–dm)-Plans are underway for a new truckstop to be built in the City of Gilman. With the demolition of the old Hicks Plaza, Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield says the project  will start soon…

   

Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield.

 

(Paxton-jm) – A Paxton restaurant has announced they are closing. Market Street Grill announced they will close October 30th. Regular business hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11am-8pm, in the next 2 weeks before the closing date.

 

updated(Springfield–jc)  A resolution passed along party lines in Springfield during this week's veto session is  getting some negative reviews. 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer, Republican from Danville, says the resolution picks apart “free speech” and more…

   

104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer, Republican from Danville.  The fall veto session ended this morning with no movement on any significant issues like electric rates and ethics reform. The fall veto session continues for three days next week in Springfield. 

 

(Urbana-jm) – Road closures have been planned for part of downtown Urbana on Saturday as a protest takes place for the nationwide “No Kings Day of Action.” Champaign County Indivisible is organizing the local protest, which will start with a rally at the Champaign County courthouse at noon. The protest will also include a march around the downtown area, which city officials said will result in lane closures. Law enforcement will shut down Main Street between Broadway Avenue and Vine Street between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Once the rally is over, the march will cover the following route: South on Broadway Avenue, East on Elm Street, South on Vine Street, West on Illinois Street, North on Race Street, East on Elm Street and North on Broadway Avenue. City officials said northbound traffic on Vine Street and eastbound traffic on Illinois Street will be maintained during the march.

 

(Gilman–dm)-It’s October in Illinois and that means it is the harvest season.  Ford-/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire talks about farm safety….

 

Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire

 

CHAMPAIGN – The City of Champaign is now seeking community input for the Housing Needs Analysis and Strategy, the City’s first comprehensive housing study in more than fifteen years. Amid a nationwide housing crisis, the City is advancing efforts to understand and quantify Champaign’s housing needs. Whether it is finding and buying a home, attaining and affording an apartment, or finding shelter for the unhoused, many community members face serious challenges when it comes to securing housing. The study will ultimately propose a variety of strategies to meet these challenges, and resident input via a survey is an integral part of this effort.using Take the survey at engage-champaign-dot-org-forward slash housing-study.

(Rantoul–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch near Rantoul just off of Interstate 57. Co Owner Mark Hardy says this year’s maze is a classic Christmas Card with Santa and his reindeer…

 

Mark Hardy  says they have pumpkins, a paint ball shooting gallery, pedal race cars, hayrides and reindeer tours. Hardy says there are delicious choices at the Klondike Cafe…

 

Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch Co Owner Mark Hardy

Hardy's Reindeer Ranch is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Republicans are upset that the Illinois House left Springfield on Thursday without passing meaningful bills to help taxpayers. House GOP leaders say they oppose Gov. JB Pritzker's idea to not follow provisions of President Donald Trump's budget to help address the state's $267 million budget deficit. Republicans said Illinois needs to make it easier for people to choose to live in the state by reducing their tax burden. Pritzker has already directed state agencies to review their budgets and reserve up to 4% of funds to lessen the impact of Trump's budget bill.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois manufacturers say tariffs on critical inputs increase costs on raw materials, machinery and equipment on factory floors. The Illinois Manufacturers' Association told lawmakers Thursday that this industry is split on tariffs since it is a complex issue. IMA President and CEO Mark Denzler said tariffs can be an effective tool if countries are cheating or gaming the system by failing to follow trade agreements. However, manufacturers also need stability and predictability. Denzler suggested the Trump administration should pursue zero-for-zero tariff deals with trading partners and negotiate fair trade agreements. The Illinois tourism industry has also seen a drastic drop in international travelers due to new tariffs. Industry leaders told lawmakers international travel into the United States is expected to drop by 6.3% from 2024 to 2025. They said significantly fewer visits from Canada are the primary driver for this decrease.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Among the resolutions passed by the Democratic majority in Springfield along party lines was one condemning the federal government. 88th District State Representative Regan Deering Republican from Decatur says the reason we have an illegal alien problem was provided to the country by the Biden Administration…

 

 

88th district State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur

 

(Cissna Park-jm) – Creekside Prairie announced they will be closing their pool at the end of the year. The decision comes in conjunction with Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services that shares the facility. They say increased maintenance costs are to blame for the closure.

 

(Buckley–dm)-Tonight, The Buckley Lions club will have Guest Speaker John F. Bruns. The Cissna Park native will be sharing his father’s experiences during World War 2.  Buckley Lions Club President Lisa Dippel has the invite to the event…

 

Buckley Lions Club President Lisa Dippel.  The presentation begins at 6pm at The Buckley American Legion.

 

(Illinois–bp)-A Judge has blocked the USDA from demanding SNAP information from Illinois and other states.  WPXN’s Brayden Perzee has the story.

 

 

 

(Danville-jc)  – An autopsy is set on a Danville man fatally injured in a motor vehicle accident that happened Wednesday along Route 1 near Danville.  Vermilion County Coroner, Jane McFadden said the motor vehicle accident involving three vehicles southbound on State Route 1 Wednesday  afternoon resulted in the death of 51-year-old Michael L. Vermillion, of Danville. An autopsy is set for today.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The Buckley Lions Club is hosting a presentation by local author John Bruns about his father’s personal experiences in World War II at 6 p.m. tonight at the American Legion Hall in Buckley. 

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host Terrapin Flyer- A Grateful Dead Tribute tonight. Doors open at 6 with music beginning at 8.

 

The EAA Chapter 29 will hold a Young Eagles Flight Rally on Saturday from 9-11 am at the Rantoul National Aviation Center.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the LIA Auxiliary on Saturday from 10-2.

 

The Ford County Public Health Department will host a flu clinic on Saturday from 10-2 at the health department office in Paxton.

 

The Gifford Fire Department will hold their spaghetti dinner on Saturday 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 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.