(Springfield-jm) – A bill heading to Governor JB Pritzker's desk could protect immigrant families from escalating ICE enforcement. The legislation would create safe zones and pathways for people to file lawsuits against law enforcement violating their constitutional rights. The Illinois Bivens Act would ensure that essential community spaces like hospitals, courthouses, universities and daycare centers remain safe for all residents, regardless of their immigration status. This measure also requires a 1,000-foot safety zone around courthouses, including sidewalks, parkways and nearby streets. The bill would allow people to bring civil actions against law enforcement who violate their constitutional rights while engaging in civil immigration enforcement. That includes civil damages for false imprisonment, $10,000 in statutory damages and potential contempt of court charges. Republicans said this is a step in the wrong direction.
(Springfield-jm) – It seems like everything is expensive now, but some private universities in Central Illinois are offering free tuition, with another just joining in. Knox College just expanded a free tuition program for Illinois students who come from families making less than $100,000. Bradley University’s program launched last fall for students whose families make $65,000 or less. The University of Illinois has a program for Illinois students whose family income and assets are less than $75,000. Eastern Illinois University’s program covers tuition and fees for students whose families make $80,000 or less. Western Illinois University’s program covers tuition and fees for qualifying students whose families make less than $81,000.
(Rantoul–jc) Sign up for the Community Service Center of Rantoul “holilday bureau” is on going now through November 21st. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford provides information on information needed…
Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford
(Champaign-jm) – The University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed program has announced the launch of a Holiday Food Drive aimed at supporting families and individuals in need throughout Champaign County. Community members are encouraged to contribute non-perishable food items from today through Wednesday, November 26. Donations can be made at 801 North Country Fair Drive, Champaign, from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Suggested donations include canned goods, pasta, rice, cereal, and other shelf-stable items. For further details, contact Tracy Bowden at tbowden@illinois.edu.
(Savoy-jm) – People in the Champaign-Urbana area have an opportunity next month to enroll in a popular TSA program at Willard Airport. The airport will host a pop-up event to enroll people in TSA PreCheck, the expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a faster and more efficient screening experience. The event will take place from December 9th to 12th between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. While walk-ins will be allowed, appointments will be given priority and walk-ins will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.
(Paxton–dm)-If your yard needs mowing one more time, but you have a lot of leaves in your yard. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen has some ideas.
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings at 7:30 in Scott’s Tips for success.
(Springfield–jc) –The Get Covered Illinois division of the Illinois Department of Insurance says Illinoisans enrolling in state-based health coverage can expect an average 78% increase in monthly premiums for 2026, with higher price spikes expected in Southern Illinois. Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans purchased health coverage through Get Covered Illinois during open enrollment in 2024, a 17% increase from the previous year. For coverage starting January 1, customers must enroll by December 15. More information is available at GetCoveredIllinois.gov
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County board will look to approve law enforcement services with Kempton, Melvin and Roberts when they meet in the monthly session tonight in Paxton . Interagency agreements with the city of Paxton and Gibson City are also agenda items. Board members are also looking into selling several delinquent properties for taxes owed and also looking at holiday schedules for the county. The Ford County Board meets at 6pm at the courthouse in Paxton .
(Gilman–jm) – The City of Gilman is flushing fire hydrants this week. Local residents who might experience discolored water should run the cold water tap to flush the line.
(Springfield-jm) – Every year the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence releases their homicide report. Their report for 2024 shows a 14% increase in domestic violence related deaths from the previous year. 137 people died in 97 domestic violence incidents in the state of Illinois in 2024, up from 120 deaths in 90 incidents in 2023. The State of Illinois also has a domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will face one challenger in the 2026 Primary Election. Pritzker, a Democrat, will go up against Patricia Tillman who was an unsuccessful write-in for alderman in Chicago in 2023. Pritzker has picked Christian Mitchell for lieutenant governor. Current Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is running for U.S. Senate. Tillman picked Joseph Mosley for lieutenant governor. The Republican side of the field is crowded with seven candidates. Darren Bailey, who lost to Pritzker in 2022, is again back on the ballot. Aaron Del Mar is his lieutenant governor pick. Other GOP candidates include Ted Dabrowski and Carrie Mendoza (lt. governor), James Mendrick and Robert Renteria (lt. governor), Rick Heidner and Christina Neitzke-Troike (lt. governor), Joseph Severino and Rantch Isquith (lt. governor), and Max Solomon and Geno Young (lt. governor). Greg Moore is also running for governor as a Republican. The 2026 Illinois Primary Election is March 17.
(Paxton–jc) Among the city streets in Paxton that were repaved or improved is a stretch of road on Ottawa in the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about the upgrade to that part of the city…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Urbana-jm) – A University of Illinois professor has thrown his hat into the ring to succeed a longtime Senator in Washington. Dr. Bryan Maxwell is an environmental researcher and agricultural engineer at the U of I. Maxwell said he’s been active in politics for years now but has never run for office. Now, he feels compelled to run for the seat Dick Durbin will vacate next year after what Maxwell says is failure by the leadership of the Democratic Party. There’s a couple of issues he’s focused on. Maxwell wants to reduce the defense budget and put the money into communities and give affordable healthcare to all citizens. Maxwell, running as a Democrat, is one of 22 candidates in a very saturated field for the seat — including eight Republicans and 14 Democrats.
(Urbana–jm) – While all first-year students are required to live on campus at the University of Illinois, any year after that, they have to find their own housing. The University says they have had an influx of students wanting to live on campus beyond their first year. To fix this, the University launched a new lottery system. First, they set aside housing for first-year students who have to live on campus. Then those remaining rooms are provided to others interested through the lottery system. Students who do not get a room are put on a waiting list.
(Onarga-dm)-On Saturday November 15th The Onarga American Legion Auxiliary unit 551 will host a fall scavenger hunt. Onarga American Legion Auxiliary President Deb Talbert has the details.
Onarga American Legion Auxiliary President Deb Talbert.
(Paxton–dm)-The Paxton Buckley-Loda will hold their monthly meeting scheduled for Wednesday November 12th at 6:00pm. Items on the agenda include:setting a time and date for a Levy Hearing, taking action on a 2026 school Maintenance Grant, review of the cook job description, approval of the unit 10 risk management plan, Take action on an agreement with Reifsteck, Wakefield and Fanning regarding a Junior High Chiller. Also the board will take action on a Superintendent three year contract. The board meeting will be held at the High School in the Administrative office Board Room.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps today, with a ceremonial cake-cutting and program. The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs has invited all of the state’s past and present Marines to attend the ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield. The annual ceremony honors the sacrifices and achievements of Marines.
WPXN News notes…
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.
The Circle of Friends Artisan Market will take place Friday, November 14th from 3-7 pm and Saturday, November 15th from 8-3 at the Rantoul Recreation Department.
St. Paul’s Lutheran School of Woodworth will hold their Woodworth Fish Fry on Friday, November 14th. Carryouts begin at 4 with dine in at 5. Cost is a free will donation.
Provizon will hold two free seminars in Paxton. The first will take place on Friday November 14th with a reception starting at 6:30 and the seminar from 7-8:30 at the Dr ET Grove Civic Room in downtown Paxton. The second seminar will be from 9-noon at the Cobblestone Hotel.
