(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have surged by 16.4 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching an average of $3.22 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations across the state. Despite this increase, prices remain 15.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 5.0 cents per gallon lower than the same time last year. The national average price of diesel has also seen an uptick, rising 4.7 cents from last week to $3.638 per gallon.

 

(Springfield–dm)-The second week of the fall veto session gets under way today in Springfield.  53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema Republican from Channahon tells us about possible proposed taxes that could be on the agenda.

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema Republican from Channahon.

 

(Illinois–dm)-Funeral services are planned this weekend for four members of Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s family, who died in a helicopter crash last Wednesday. Bailey’s running mate, Aaron Del Mar, told The Center Square Monday morning that a celebration of life would be held for Darren’s son Zachary Bailey, Zach’s wife Kelsey, and their children, 12-year-old Vada Rose and 7-year-old Samuel. Del Mar said he and Darren Bailey would probably not talk about their campaign plans until after the services this upcoming weekend.

 

(Paxton–jc)  City of Paxton leaders signed an insurance contract with Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association that could save the city insurance dollars. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says this negotiated agreement is a good way to purchase insurance for the city…

   

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Champaign County-jm) – Traffic on Route 45 north of Rantoul was reduced to one lane as crews cleaned up an accident. It happened at the intersection of Route 45 and 3200 North. There’s no word on if there were any injuries.

 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce proudly announces Glesco Electric, as the recipient of the 2025 Small Business of the Year award. The award was presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, in Champaign.

Glesco Electric, a 100 percent woman-owned company with nearly 40 years of service, has powered many of the region’s most visible and vital projects, from the University of Illinois campus and downtown Champaign Plaza to solar farms and Willard Airport improvements

 

(Champaign–dm)-Harvest season is moving along smoothly for most farmers.  Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady has an update on the progress being made.

   

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady

 

(Champaign, Ill. -)The State Farm Center has announced that Warner Music Nashville Multi-Platinum recording artist and recent CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year nominee, Cody Johnson, will be taking the stage at State Farm Center in Champaign on Friday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.  The tour is being announced on the heels of Cody’s most recent release, “The Fall.”  Tickets go on sale Friday, November 7th at 10 a.m. at StateFarmCenter.com.

 

(Rantoul–jc) A Sunday night fire in Rantoul caused over 400 thousand dollars in damages.  In updating our story, the fire occurred in a two story home  on West Bodwell and South Meyers in the village. Firefighters were called to the scene just before 7pm on Sunday.. No one was injured. The occupants had to seek other living arrangements.  

 

(Paxton–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is A Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton. It starts with flowers for all occasions, but at A Picket Fence Florist they have a wide variety of gifts ready for your birthday, anniversary, and Christmas. A Picket Fence Florist Owner Dawn Mertes talks about centerpieces and grave blankets…

She talks about Christtmas shopping and poinsettias too…

 

A Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton Owner Dawn Mertes.

For orders go on line or call 217-379-4245. A Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day, today

 

(Manteno–dm)-The state of Michigan has placed Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion in default of its agreement to build a component factory in Michigan’s Mecosta County. U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar said the residents of Green Charter Township can finally move on from what he called Gotion’s lies and broken promises, now that the company’s contract with the state is set to be terminated. Gotion’s plant in Manteno, Illinois, is backed by $536 million in tax credits approved by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

 

(Springfield–jm) – Could voters get to decide whether statehouse election maps continue to be drawn by the majority party or an independent commission? That is the hope of two former Illinois political figures. Former Commerce Secretary Bill Daley and Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are pushing for a constitutional amendment to go before voters to ask for an independent commission to redraw the maps. Daley says this could increase voter turnout as well…

 

 

Former Commerce Secretary Bill Daley. 

 

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association warns energy legislation under consideration by the General Assembly during the fall veto session is deeply flawed and will result in massive electric rate hikes on businesses and consumers.

This comes as ratepayers are already struggling from high electricity costs caused by growing energy demand that comes at the same time policies are forcing the closure of baseload generation sources. Lawmakers are asking consumers to pay more for electricity without addressing underlying capacity and supply issues that have put Illinois on a path to see energy shortfalls as soon as 2030.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  The Village of Rantoul downtown Streetscape project is continuing and its completion date is coming in mid November. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says the project continues…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Ludlow-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help after a fire, believed to have involved “human activity”,  destroyed nearly a dozen trailers near Ludlow earlier this month. Around 2:30 p.m. on October 17, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, the Ludlow Fire Department and several other fire departments responded to a fire at the Triangle Mobile Home Park, which is south of Ludlow. Once the firefighters arrived, they found multiple mobile homes fully engulfed in flames. In total, 11 trailers were destroyed. Crime Stoppers said the preliminary investigation indicates the fire may have involved “human activity.” Now, police are seeking more information about the fire and asking anyone with surveillance cameras to look over their footage for any suspicious people or vehicles captured in the area around the time of the fire.

 

(Melvin–jc)  It’s the last show of the season on Saturday night in Melvin at the Melvin Community Hall. Melvin Community Hall Spokesperson Norm Schall says the food starts at 5-30 with the show to follow…

 

 

Melvin Community Hall Spokesperson Norm Schall

 

(Onarga–jc)  Federated Bank announces the appointment of Christopher Both as Vice President, Ag & Commercial Loan officer. Both bring more than a decade of lending experience in Illinois and Indiana, with a strong background in agricultural and commercial finance. He is certified by the American Bankers Association in Commercial and Small Business Banking. Before joining Federated Bank, Both served as Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Kentland Bank. He supervised the lending staff and managed the bank’s loan portfolio. He also held roles as Vice President and Loan Officer at Kentland Bank and Loan Officer at Iroquois Federal. Both is a graduate of Kankakee Community College, Franklin University, and the Midwest Agricultural Banking School at Purdue University. He lives near Watseka with his wife and family

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new study from a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign marketing expert finds that electric scooters, one of the fastest-growing forms of urban transportation, reshape city mobility in unexpected ways. The introduction of shared e-scooters in Chicago boosted demand for ridesharing services but reduced bikeshare usage — and was also linked with higher rates of street and vehicle-related crime in neighborhoods, says new research co-authored by Unnati Narang, a professor of business administration at the Gies College of Business.

 

(Rockford–jc)  Illinois Governor  J-B Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, on Monday, announced an Economic Development for a Growing Economy  for Startups agreement for Rockford Brake Manufacturing’s $6.6 million investment to reestablish the company and reopen a historic Rockford factory. Four former employees of Gunite Corporation have created a new business, which will save Rockford’s longest-standing factory since parent company Accuride closed Gunite’s doors in February 2025 after announcing Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

WPXN News notes…

County Market in Gibson City will host a trunk or treat on Thursday, October 30th from 5-7 pm.

 

The Paxton Park District’s annual Halloween costume parade will take place on Friday, October 31st at 4pm starting at the library and going to the fire station.

 

The Paxton Nazarene Church will host a fall festival on Friday, October 31st from 4:30-7. Activities include games, candy, hot chocolate and a photo booth.

 

The Paxton Church of Christ will hold a trick or treat on Friday, October 31st from 5-7 pm.

 

The Melvin Woman’s Club will sponsor its annual Halloween Extravaganza from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 31st at the Melvin Community Hall. There will the chance to win door prizes for adults and youth. There will also be cash prizes given for a Halloween costume contest in four age groups. Refreshments will also be available.

 

The 15th annual Iroquois West Music Boosters Craft and Vendor Show will take place on Saturday, November 1st from 9-2 at the Iroquois West High School in Gilman.