(Chebanse–jc) A Semi Truck fire along Interstate 57, shut down the road for about two hours early last evening. State police say the incident happened around 5-40 on Monday afternoon at the 300 mile marker near Chebanse. Crews worked quickly to clear the scene. Traffic was back to normal around 7-30 last night

 

(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have decreased by 12.4 cents per gallon over the past week, now averaging $3.06 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations across the state. This marks a significant drop of 31.2 cents per gallon compared to last month and 30.8 cents per gallon lower than the same time last year. The national average price of diesel has also seen a decline, decreasing by 3.7 cents from the previous week to $3.591 per gallon.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Number projections on the current state of Illinois budget show a growing deficit. Lawmakers passed a 54 Billion dollar budget that included several Billion dollars in new taxes this past Spring. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon, says the numbers now projected come up short…

 

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Normal-jm) – An Illinois State University graduate student and teaching assistant is facing disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property charges. Derek Lopez was arrested by Illinois State University police Friday. The arrest followed an investigation by the Illinois State University Police Department after Lopez allegedly disrupted two informational tabling events hosted by a registered student organization. Campus police were contacted by the organization, leading to Lopez's identification and arrest. The case is pending and may result in additional charges and university disciplinary action.

 

(Illinois–dm)-Since 1973The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame has been honoring the best of the best. Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Chairman Bruce Firchau (Furchaw) tells us more about the Hall of Fame

 

Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Chairman Bruce Firchau.  Bruce will be at Rossville Alvin High School on October 29th to talk about the Illinois Basketball Museum

 

(Urbana–jc)  University of Illinois  Urbana-Champaign officials are investigating a campus area shooting that happened early Saturday morning. The shooting happened near the intersection of South 5th Street and East Green Street in Champaign. Police have made an arrest after their investigation. 18 year old Decovan Stephens of Urbana was arrested and has been charged today with  attempted first-degree murder.  University of Illinois Police Detectives continue the investigation this afternoon. 

 

(Rantoul–jc)   The Community Service Center in Rantoul is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the people of Rantoul and surrounding towns. They provide essential resources and connect residents to the social services they need. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says a food distribution is set for Saturday morning at the center in Rantoul, sponsored by St Paul's Church of Gifford…

   

Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford. Plans for the Christmas toy and food distribution called “Holiday Bureau” continue and registration for the event starts in November. 

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to join a new federal school scholarship tax credit program, saying the state “cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.”In 2025, Congress passed a key Republican bill that included creating a federal tax credit for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations. States have to opt into the program set to begin in 2027. Republicans, like state Rep. Adam Niemerg, are urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to opt Illinois into the program, warning that the state risks losing out on millions in scholarship funds for local children. Niemerg said the state’s previous program, which served tens of thousands of students, was allowed to lapse due to opposition from special interest groups, particularly teachers unions.

 

(Woodworth–jc)  The Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation is the WPXN Business of the day today. The local group works with the 4-H groups in the two counties. Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Duble says the foundation is active, all year long…

 

Nita Duble says the group is planning for their annual high school scholarship auction set for Sunday November 9th in Woodworth…

 

 

Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Duble

The scholarships go to students in both Ford and Iroquois Counties

The Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A group of Democratic state lawmakers are renewing their push for the Illinois Investment Policy Board to stop restricting state funds for companies boycotting Israel. The Illinois Coalition for Human Rights said a current state law is dangerous for citizens protesting the war in Gaza. The Illinois Investment Policy Board can currently restrict public funding to any company if they believe the company is protesting Israel. Some lawmakers claim the 10-year-old law requires the state's pension fund to stop investing in companies who stand up for Palestinian rights.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Rantoul leaders changed the zoning on a property in the village to help the property owner sell that property. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says the Rantoul Park District owns the property commonly known as Seeber Field and it will be zoned as residential…

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man accused of making “unwanted physical contact” with another person while on an MTD bus. Around 5:35 p.m. on September 16, a man boarded an MTD bus at Walmart, located on South High Cross Road in Urbana. Crime Stoppers said once the man was on board, he made unwanted physical contact with an occupant and touched them for several minutes before arriving at his destination.The suspect got off the bus at Washington Street and Second Street in Champaign. Afterwards, police searched the area, but were not able to find him. He was described as a Hispanic male with a mustache who has a medium build and is approximately 5’6” tall. The suspect was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, gray pants, white tennis shoes and a red Chicago Bulls hat with a white flat bill.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The city of Paxton will see lots of football players, their families and fans this coming weekend. It’s the Championship Bowl games for area youth football and cheerleading. The Mighty Mites play at 1, Juniors at 3 and the Seniors at 5 with the cheerleading competition on Sunday. Paxton Youth Football and Cheerleading President Matt Quinlan says it's a chance for the community to showcase what it has to offer those coming for the games…

 

 

Paxton Youth Football and Cheerleading President Matt Quinlan

 

(Danville–)The Vermilion County Coroner, Jane McFadden stated that an accident involving a motorcycle and an SUV on Friday at 3:34 p.m. on North Gilbert Street in Danville claimed the life of a 46-year-old Danville man. The victim has been identified as Michael J. K. Wagle. Mr. Wagle’s family were located and notified who are out of state and his autopsy is scheduled for this week. The Danville Police Department, the Illinois State Police and the Vermilion County Coroner’s office continue to investigate.

 

(Gilman–dm)- Incrobasa Industries in Gilman is a Soybean Plant that manufactures oil seed products and Bio-diesel fuel.  Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield tells us about an expansion project that has been in progress for over a year.

 

 

Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield.

 

(Quincy–dm)-The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Capital Development Board have announced the opening of a new veterans home in Quincy. Agency officials say the renovation and rehabilitation project provides a 260,000 square foot long-term care home for 210 residents and an 80,000 square foot independent living facility for 88 residents. 

 

WPXN News notes…

 

Gibson Area Fright Night, a Halloween costume contest sponsored by the Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st, with lineup starting at 5:45 p.m. and judging at 6 p.m. on Sangamon Avenue in downtown Gibson City. Parents are asked to pre-register their kids for the contest via a link on the chamber’s Facebook page.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich dinner on Friday, October 24th from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes the sandwich and a side for $8.

 

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.

 

The Cissna Park American Legion Auxiliary’s Fall Bazaar will take place on Saturday, October 25th from 9-2.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting York Rite of Paxton on Saturday, October 25th from 10-2.