(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education released findings from the second year of a grant program that show continued progress in reducing teacher vacancies statewide. In conjunction with the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative, ISBE released findings from year two of the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program. The results show both ongoing progress in the number of teacher vacancies dropping and strengthening educator recruitment and retention in Illinois’ 170 most understaffed school districts. These districts serve approximately 870,000 students, which equates to approximately half of all students enrolled throughout the state. The results from the second year of this three-year initiative show that participating districts hired 12,434 new teachers in the 2024-25 school year and retained 15,988 teachers from 2023 to 2025.
(Springfield–jc) One local State Senator is leading the effort to clean up the government run SNAP program. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon, says the process needs a clean upgrade…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Springfield-jm) – Seasonal illness rates are currently below previous Novembers, but experts urge caution as colder months approach. Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, noted that "early projections show that our flu rates are projected to be kind of high this year." Hospital visits for flu, COVID-19, RSV, and acute respiratory illnesses are slightly below last year's levels. Dr. Vohra also attributed the decreased rates to extended warm weather, but warned that numbers might increase in December, January, and February. Dr. Vohra recommends washing hands, wearing masks when sick, and getting vaccinated to reduce the risk and severity of illness.
(Rantou–jc) – The Rantoul Streetscape project continues, but now the downtown area of the village is more inviting and special with a brand new welcome sign. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third talks about the ongoing project…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency has announced the availability of warming centers to provide relief during the upcoming winter season's bitterly cold days. These centers will be open when an Extreme Cold Warning is issued by the National Weather Service or during other significantly cold periods. The locations include: the Ashkum Coliseum, the Chebanse Community Building, the Cissna Park village hall, the city hall in Gilman and Iroquois West district office in Gilman, the Milford Community Center, Milford Christian Church, the Sheldon Public Library, the Watseka Public Library, Watseka Walmart, Trinity Church in Watseka and the Iroquois County District #9 Administration Office.
(Washington–jc) The amount of beef to market numbers is expected to be lower for the remainder of this year and into the first half of 20-26. World Agriculture Outlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski says the forecast is lower due to several factors…
World Outlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski
(Champaign–jc) – Champaign county Association of Realtors has been busy handing out Christmas cheer. Members of the Association have delivered 171 blankets to seven Champaign County organizations, including Crisis Nursery and Strides Shelter, to help families stay warm. Members have also volunteered to pack food at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and raised nearly 2 thousand dollars, enough to provide turkeys and hams to about 87 families this holiday season.
(Undated–jc) –With one of the busiest travel periods of the year starting officially on Wednesday with Thanksgiving, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout the state are ramping up patrols and reminding the public to buckle up and drive sober. Hundreds of enforcement zones and other patrols will be looking for seat belt-law violators and impaired drivers through December second. All police agencies remind the motoring public to take extra care during the Thanksgiving holiday and beyond.
(Chicago–jc) Three juvenile Venezuelan migrants are part of a group that allegedly attacked, murdered, and robbed a homeless man in downtown Chicago early Sunday, according to prosecutors and a Chicago police report. C-W-B Chicago reports that a 16-year-old boy and two 14-year-old boys are facing charges in connection with the fatal stabbing and robbery. As of this morning, the victim remained unidentified.
(Washington–jc) The final crop report is in. Rod Bain has the numbers…
(Urbana-jm) – The man convicted of killing two women in a drunk driving crash in Urbana was back in court on Tuesday, this time for arraignment in a federal case filed against him. On top of the state charges that he was indicted on, 29-year-old Julio Cucul Bol was also facing charges from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for alleged possession of false identification documents. While in the pretrial phase of the state case, a federal grand jury indicted Bol in May on four counts: making a false statement on a bank application, possessing a false permanent resident card,
possessing a false Social Security card and false use of a passport.
(Pontiac–jc) The next Paxton Buckley Loda school superintendent is currently the principal at Pontiac High School. He is Eric Bohm. Bohm says taking a job as a school superintendent is exciting and challenging…
Newly hired Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm. Boehm will officially take over as Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent on July first next year.
(Vermilion County-jm) – Balloons Over Vermilion is marking its 10th anniversary with significant changes. Carly Goodwin returns as co-chair, joined by nationally recognized pilot and volunteer Dean Carlton. After a decade at the Vermilion Regional Airport, the board has decided to relocate the 2026 festival to Kennekuk County Park. This move is made possible through a partnership with the Vermilion County Conservation District. Additionally, the festival dates will shift to June 5 and 6, 2026, aiming to kick off the summer season with increased accessibility and more opportunities for visitors.
(Cissna Park–jc) Make plans to attend a “small town Christmas” in Cissna Park this Friday and Saturday. The two day holiday event kicks off with a tree lighting, carols in the park and more, says Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer…
Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer
(Champaign–jc) The Champaign City Partnership will be hosting the Annual Parade of Lights on Saturday afternoon starting at 5pm. Parade route streets will be closed to traffic beginning at 4 p.m. until after the parade is complete:
They include Neil Street between University Avenue and Columbia Street, Main Street between Neil Street and Chestnut Street, Washington Street between Neil Street and Walnut Street and Chester Street between Market Street and Neil Street
The lighted Christmas parade steps off at 5 in downtown Champaign on Saturday.
WPXN News Notes….
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Hairbangers Ball tonight. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.
Ridgeland will perform at Murdocks in Loda tonight at 8pm.
Paxton’s annual tree-lighting ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the intersection of State and Market streets.
Cissna Park’s Small Town Christmas will take place Friday and Saturday. On Friday night it's the tree lighting and christmas carols at 6 pm and live size candyland at 6:30. On Saturday, it's meet and greet with Santa from 10-2, a craft show from 10-3, horse drawn carriage rides around the park from 11-3 and a lighted Christmas parade at 5.
Paxton’s annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by PRIDE in Paxton, is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday on Market Street in downtown Paxton. The theme for this year’s parade is “Once Upon a Christmas.”
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Whiskey Friends- The Morgan Wallen Experience on Saturday at 8:30 pm.
