(Springfield-jm) —- Thousands of older adults across Illinois may soon find it easier to stay in their homes, thanks to the passage of a bipartisan measure. Senate Bill 642 expands the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption for seniors living on fixed incomes. Under SB 642, the maximum income threshold for eligibility will increase from the current $65,000 to: $75,000 in tax year 2026, $77,000 in tax year 2027 and $79,000 in tax year 2028 and beyond. The bill also introduces a three-year occupancy requirement, ensuring that only long-term homeowners benefit from the freeze.
(The Center Square) – Transparency is a key talking point for Illinois comptroller candidates. One Republican and five Democrats have filed nominating petitions to replace outgoing Comptroller Suzana Mendoza. One democratic candidate is 12th District Illinois State representative Margaret Croke from Chicago,
12th District Illinois State representative Margaret Croke from Chicago,
Another democrat candidate for Illinois Comptroller is Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim…
Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim
The Illinois Primary is set for March 17th 20-26
(Urbana-jm) – A holiday tradition for many families in Champaign County has wrapped up. Candlestick Lane in Urbana has been a Christmas staple for more than six decades, but this year there won’t be an official lighting ceremony.
(Champaign County–jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is alerting residents about a phone scam involving individuals falsely claiming to represent the Sheriff's Office Civil Division. Several residents have reported receiving calls from scammers who claim there is an urgent legal matter requiring immediate attention. The callers may pressure individuals to return their call or demand payment to resolve the issue. The Sheriff's Office emphasized that these scammers are using phone numbers that do not belong to them. Residents are advised to hang up immediately if they receive a suspicious call and not to provide any personal or financial information. Those who have received such calls or have been victims of the scam are urged to contact the Champaign County Sheriff's Office directly at 217-333-8911 to report it.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Service Club with the help of city hall has made its decision on the donation of a Christmas tree for the downtown area of the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the process to get the chosen tree to State and Market in downtown Paxton has begun…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. The annual tree lighting ceremony is set for Friday November 28th at 7pm. The 20-25 city of Paxton Christmas Parade will step off on Saturday November 29th at 1-30pm
(Watseka–jc) – The Iroquois Resident Home at Iroquois Memorial Hospital has announced the appointment of Jeffrey Baker as administrator of the resident home.
Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, and is a licensed health care administrator in multiple states. His career has taken him from downtown Chicago to the mountains of rural Idaho, where he has led facilities specializing in mental health and subacute rehabilitation.
Baker is passionate about building strong teams, improving workplace culture, and enhancing care outcomes.
(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are responding after America First Legal filed a federal complaint urging the U.S. Department of Education to investigate Illinois’ new law requiring annual student mental health screenings without parental consent, a move the group calls a “clear violation of federal law.”
88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican-Decatur, who voted against the bill, said she’s not surprised by the legal challenge. Supporters of the law, including Democratic State Representatives. Lindsey LaPointe, Democrat-Chicago, defended it as an urgent step toward addressing what she called a long-standing youth mental health crisis. Deering said the intention behind the law may be good, but the approach is deeply flawed.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be hosting an event next month to provide a mentoring opportunity for novice archery deer hunters. Adult and youth hunters with less than three years of deer hunting experience may apply for the event as long as they have not been previously drawn in the mentored deer hunt program lottery. Those selected will be allowed to participate in the event at Fox Ridge State Park from December 15 to January 4.
(Cissna Park–jc) The Cissna Park F F A annual scholarship auction is set for Saturday at the high school. Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says the group has been gathering items for the event and invites the public to view the items on-line and plan to attend on Saturday…
Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton
(Champaign-jm) – The United Way of Champaign County has raised more than $46,000 for local food banks and pantries. $7,000 is going to the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen serves a hot meal daily and sends home a sack lunch. Their mission is to keep the community fed, and they say everyone is welcome to come eat.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Christmas Parade Committee is announcing a free giveaway of a red electric kids truck as part of this year’s Paxton Christmas parade on Saturday November 28th. Hoke Construction has donated the ride on kid vehicle for one lucky winner. Entries are being set up at several downtown Paxton locations for the give away, says Paxton Christmas Parade Chairperson Dawn Mertes…
Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairperson Dawn Mertes
(Clarence–jc) A semi accident east of Paxton along Route 9 caused some traffic delays and re-routing of traffic Tuesday afternoon. The accident happened between Clarence and the city of Paxton around 1 pm. Slick road conditions were the main cause of the mishap. No word on injuries was provided. Traffic was being rerouted into Clarence and then west on a local road.
(The Center Square) – A planned relocation of Normal’s Fire Station 2 sparks statewide concern over slow emergency response times, as a new bill at the statehouse would create a task force to investigate staffing and funding problems in Illinois’ EMS system. Local 2442 Union President Chad Pacey said the relocation plan dates back to a 2008 study that called for a fourth station within 10 years. Instead, Normal has kept the 2012 plan, moving stations without adding resources, even as calls and population have grown sharply.
(The Center Square) – Transparency is a key talking point for Illinois comptroller candidates. One Republican and five Democrats have filed nominating petitions to replace outgoing Comptroller Suzana Mendoza. The lone Republican candidate for Illinois Comptroller is Southern Illinois Attorney Bryan Drew…
Southern Illinois Attorney Bryan Drew from Benton Illinois
The Illinois Primary election is set for March 17 20-26.
WPXN News notes…
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, November 12th from 8-9 am.
The Ford County Public Health Department will host a Medicare Open Enrollment on Wednesday November 12th from 10-noon at the Melvin Library.
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.
The Cadillac in Paxton will hold Veterans Fest 2025 with Saving Abel, X-Krush and Josh Holland Band performing on Saturday, November 15th . The show starts at 7.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, November 20th from 4:30-6:30 pm. Dinner includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Cost is $11 for adults, $5 for kids 6-13. Deliveries available in town by calling 217-379-0349.
The 42nd annual Gifford State Bank Country Christmas Craft Show will take place Saturday, November 22nd from 8-5 and Sunday, November 23rd from 9-3 at Gordyville USA.
