(Undated-jm) - Law enforcement officials across the state are warning drivers to watch for animals when they come home from work. With daylight saving time this past weekend, it will start to get darker earlier, typically around the time people are going home. It’s also a time when animals tend to be more active. Police say they tend to see an increase in accidents involving vehicles versus animals this time of year. They remind drivers to stay vigilant while driving.
(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have passed wide-ranging energy legislation, but opponents say it will lead to higher electricity bills. Senate Bill 25, also known as The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), passed the state Senate by a vote of 37-22 Thursday night after the House advanced it Wednesday. Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, said a new line item would be added to Illinois consumers’ electric bills in 2030.State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, said the measure is an $8 billion rate increase for Illinois families.
State Senator Terri Bryant R-Murphysboro.
(Ford County-jm) – First responders across Ford County had a busy Halloween night. Around 7pm Piper City firefighters were called to a two vehicle accident. Firefighters there needed assistance from Chatsworth along with multiple ambulances. Around 10 pm Friday night Paxton firefighters were called to a two vehicle accident at Route 115 and 500 north. Around 2:30 Saturday morning Paxton crews were called to an accident on I-57.
(Paxton–jc) Motor Fuel Tax dollar street work in the city of Paxton has been completed for the year. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about some of the streets that were repaved or repaired…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Watseka-jm) – Iroquois Federal, headquartered in Watseka and with operating facilities in seven full-service offices, has been acquired by ServBanc Holdco, Inc. A merger was approved October 30, 2025. ServBanc Holdco and IF Bancorp, the holding company for Iroquois Federal, entered into an agreement whereby ServBanc Holdco and Servbank will acquire IF Bancoprand Iroquois Federal, respectively. A press release states Servbank is expanding its franchise into central Illinois. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the respective boards of directors and is subject to regulatory approval. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
(Paxton–dm)-Fall season is here, and knowing the difference between a frost advisory and a freeze warning might help save your outdoor plants. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen tells us the difference between frost and freeze.
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings at 730 on Scott’s Tips for Success.
(Farmer City–jm) – A Farmer City man is denied pre-trial release for possessing and distributing child pornography. Matthew Light was arrested by the FBI after receiving an online tip that he would allegedly download the material from the dark web and view it at work at the University of Illinois. Light worked as an electrician in a dorm. He’s been put on administrative leave. A next court date for Light has not been determined.
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker says he looks forward to signing public transit legislation into law. The General Assembly passed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act in the final hours of the fall veto session early Friday.
The bill authorizes the Regional Transportation Authority to raise sales taxes by a quarter of a percent in Cook County and the collar counties outside Chicago. It also increases tolls on Illinois tollways and takes gas tax money from the state’s road fund.
(Sprinfield–jc) – The Illinois Department of Corrections has announced a new pilot program providing phone calls to individuals in custody at correctional facilities statewide. Starting today, each individual in custody will receive 775 free domestic phone call minutes, or approximately $6.20 per month, to call loved ones.
The program utilizes a phone dialer application on tablets that have come under scrutiny for delays in scanning inmate mail to prevent contraband from entering prisons
After facing pushback for their ridiculous amusement tax and event surcharge fee proposals to bail out Chicago mass transit, Illinois Democrats decided to go a different route. Voting along party lines the Illinois General Assembly passed a $1.5 billion transit funding bill early Friday morning. How they will fund it will be by redirecting the state’s sales tax on motor fuel to transit operations, collecting $860 million a year. The will also be dedicating all of the interest on the state’s $8 billion road fund to transit, collecting nearly $200 million a year. 88th District Representative Regan Deering Republican from Decator shares her feelings.
88th District Rep Regan Deering Republican from Decatur
(Urbana-jm) – New data is out on crime in Urbana during the first nine months of the year. The new data shows overall crime is down, but homicides are up compared to the same period last year. The Urbana Police Department posted on Facebook the city’s crime statistics recorded between January 1 and September 28 in both 2024 and 2025. There were seven homicides so far compared to two last year. Other highlights from the new data include the fact that nonfatal shootings are down by 46%, rape is down by 24% and robbery is down by 15%. While non-contact assault & intimidation is up by 14%, overall assault and battery (including nonfatal shootings, battery and assault & intimidation) is down by 4%.
(Gilman–dm)-A new truck stop in Gilman is in the works at the old Hicks Plaza on the Southwest side of Gilman. The main building will be 15,000 square feet and will house Wendy’s restaurant, Popeye’s Chicken and a Starbucks. Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield tells us about some of the other plans.
Gilman Mayor Rick Theesefield.
(Champaign-jm) – Parking rates could be going up in Champaign. City officials say rates haven’t changed since 2009. If rates do go up it won’t be immediate. City officials say the new rates may not even take effect until 2027
WPXN News notes…
The Ford County Public Health Department will host a Medicare Open Enrollment on Tuesday, November 4th from 9-11 am at the Piper City Library and Wednesday, November 5th from 1-3 pm at the Moyer District Library in Gibson City.
The Little Achievers Academy Preschool at American Lutheran Church in Gibson City will host their annual holiday shopping bazaar on Saturday, November 8th from 9-2.
The Happily Everly After 5k fun run and walk to raise money for new swings at Durham Park in Onarga will take place on Saturday, November 8th at 10 am.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Emo Night with All American Throwbacks on Saturday, November 8th. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.
The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school district’s annual Veterans Day assembly, which is open to the public, will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, November 11th, in the gymnasium of GCMS High School. Prior to the assembly, veterans are invited to a coffee and pastry breakfast that begins at 8:20 a.m. in the school’s commons.
Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School’s annual community Veterans Day observance will be at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, November 11th, in the school’s gymnasium. Featuring music by the school’s band, the observance is open to the public.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, November 12th from 8-9 am.
