(Springfield-jm) – One year since it was implemented, the state Medical Debt Relief Program has helped erase bills for more than 355,000 people in Illinois. In total, the program has erased $430 million of debt. Those who lived alone and made up to $62,600 annually, and families of up to four that brought in up to $128,600 annually, had their debt automatically erased. Additionally, the average debt erased for one person was $1,100. The highest amount of debt relieved for an individual was $300,000.
(Springfield–jc) –Illinois House Republicans say the SAFE-T Act continues to fail Illinois residents after a suspect with dozens of arrests was accused of punching a man and knocking him to the Chicago Transit Authority train tracks.
C-B-S Chicago reports that Tommie O. Brown, 39, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery to a police officer following a struggle.
Police said the victim narrowly avoided the electrified third rail, and a nearby train operator was able to stop and avoid hitting the man.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor J B Pritzker has stated he would be willing to look at tweaking or revamping parts of the Illinois Safety Act Law. The law has come under fire from most policing agencies in the state. 117th District State Representative Patrick Windhorst, Republican from Metropolis, says he and others have ideas to help…
117th District State Representative Patrick Windhorst, Republican from Metropolis
(Chicago-jm) – A federal appeals court is deliberating whether hundreds of undocumented immigrants arrested in the Chicago area in recent months should be released from detention and sent home with electronic monitoring. Last month, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings ordered the Trump administration to release several hundred detainees on a $1,500 bond. While they waited for their immigration court dates, the former detainees would have been tracked with devices like ankle monitors or a smartphone app. The judge ruled in response to immigration and civil rights lawyers’ allegations that Trump’s Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly violated a 2022 federal consent decree restricting the use of warrantless arrests for undocumented immigrants. But the Trump administration appealed, and argued to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the judge overstepped his authority by modifying the consent decree.
(Onarga–dm)-On Sunday December 7th you are invited to visit the Onarga Christmas Tree Lane at the Onarga Legion Hall in Durham Park. Onarga American Legion Auxiliary President Deb Talbert has the information.
Onarga American Legion Auxiliary President Deb Talbert. You can also have Breakfast with Santa on Saturday December 6th from 7:30-11:00 am.
630am–jc) – Illinois U.S. Representative. Mary Miller has released a statement expressing her support of House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican from Louisiana. Miller said Johnson has led the House majority with “God-given courage, clarity, and remarkable patience.” Miller’s statement followed social media comments by New York U.S. Representative. Elise Stefanik, who said Johnson was “getting rolled” by Democrats.
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Hoopeston home is likely a total loss following a house fire. Firefighters from Hoopeston. Rossville and Wellington battled the blaze in the area of 5th Street and Young Avenue.
(Mahomet–dm)-Christmas Festivities in Mahomet get underway Friday evening. Mahomet Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Loran Hayes tells us about everything going on.
Mahomet Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Loran Hayes. For more information you can call 217-486-3165 or visit the Mahomet Facebook page.
(Gifford-jm) – The Semi-Annual, Consignment Large Equipment, Tools, and Toy Auction at Gordyville USA will continue to be held today and tomorrow. The auction is ALL indoors and the arenas are heated. It all starts today at 9 am (TOYS) Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Tools and Equipment. Gordyville USA is 6 miles east of Rantoul.
(Springfield-jm) – Expecting families enrolled in Illinois Medicaid now have access to new in-home health services, following a statewide coverage expansion that took effect on November 21. According to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the change is meant to improve maternal and child health by allowing Medicaid to reimburse for home visiting programs that previously were not directly part of the covered benefit. The expansion brings Medicaid into alignment with long-running state home visiting programs overseen by IDHS. These models include ongoing home visits from trained professionals who provide health education, screenings, and referrals during pregnancy and early childhood. Until now, most of these programs relied on limited grant funding or nonprofit budgets, often resulting in long waitlists or uneven availability by region. Under the new coverage, Medicaid will now reimburse for a range of in-home services, including prenatal and postpartum visits, blood pressure monitoring, behavioral health screenings, maternal mental health assessments, domestic and intimate partner violence education.
Several have a propensity during the Christmas and holiday season of spending too much on gifts, according to a Cooperative Extension expert. Rod Bain has the story
(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency is giving people a heads-up about the availability of warming centers during the winter season's cold days. Those in need of assistance are urged to call ahead before heading to any warming facility, to make sure they’re open and staffed. The locations include: the Ashkum Coliseum, the Chebanse Community Building, the Cissna Park Village Hall, the Gilman City Hall, 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.
(Roberts–dm)-The Roberts Community Committee is sponsoring a full day of Christmas Fun on Saturday at the Roberts Community Hall. Roberts Community Committee Spokesperson Ashley Viner tells us what’s going on.
Roberts Community Committee Spokesperson Ashley Viner.
(Champaign County-jm) – Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman has announced the results of a special traffic enforcement initiative conducted over the Thanksgiving holiday. The operation, which spanned a total of ten hours, aimed to enhance roadway safety in Champaign County during the festive season. The enforcement efforts resulted in 12 citations, including: seven for speeding, two for failure to wear a seatbelt, two for driving with suspended vehicle registration and one for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
WPXN News notes…
Paxton’s annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by PRIDE in Paxton, is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 6, on Market Street in downtown Paxton. The theme for this year’s parade is “Once Upon a Christmas.”
The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce's annual holiday shopping event runs tonight at 5 through Monday, December 8. There will be discounts and prizes, with many businesses offering a “pop-up” space within their shop for local vendors without a storefront. The night will also feature carolers, the local high school band, food vendors and more.
Mrs Claus’s Closet will take place Saturday, December 6th from 11-4 and Sunday, December 7th from 12-5 at the former Federated Church in Paxton.
The village of Roberts will hold a Christmas event on Saturday, December 6th from 9-3 at the Roberts Gym. Lunch with Santa will be from 11-1.
