(Washington-jm) – Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is teaming up with other lawmakers to protect kids online. The lawmakers introduced three bills aimed at cracking down on child exploitation and sextortion. The Safe Act would toughen sentencing guidelines for child sexual abuse material. The Echo Act will target criminals who coerce children into harming themselves or others. A third, the Stop Sextortion Act, would increase penalties for offenders who use explicit images to extort kids. Lawmakers say the rise in online abuse demands action.
(Springfield–jc) A candidate for the Illinois Statehouse is working to find out how much taxpayer money is going for medical services to children without Social Security numbers. Bailey Templeton of Hamilton, Illinois is running in the Republican primary for Illinois’ 94th House District. She is also requesting documents from state agencies on a variety of issues…
94th District Republican candidate for office Bailey Templeton. The latest release she secured from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services shows there are 20,000 children getting taxpayer funded Medicaid without having Social Security numbers, 10,000 of those under 1 year of age.
(Watseka-jm) – Iroquois Memorial Hospital announced it has received a $50,000 gift from the Iroquois Federal Foundation in support of the hospital’s new Rehabilitation Therapy Center project. The Rehabilitation Therapy Center will expand IMH’s outpatient rehabilitation services and serve as a centralized hub for physical, occupational and speech therapy. The center will feature modern treatment spaces designed to improve accessibility, enhance comfort and support a wider range of therapeutic needs. It will be built adjacent to the hospital to provide convenient access for patients and families. IMH plans to break ground for the facility in the Spring of 2026.
(Buckley—jc) 11am on December 13th is the time for all the “wreaths across America” events around the area, state and nation. Buckley American Legion Post Spokesperson Wayne Wagner says the local legion supports over 200 gravesites with the honoring event…
Buckley American Legion Spokesperson Wayne Wagner
(Champaign–jc) Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman says a Champaign man arrested Monday night at the city's Kraft facility faces several charges. Police say there was a dispute concerning a food delivery around 7-30pm Monday. Arrested was 31 year old Devante Gathings. Authorities say he tried to choke a deputy and made threats against the Kraft company. Gathings appeared in Champaign County court on Tuesday
(Chicago–jc) The ballot for Illinois’ March 17 primary election is coming into focus after Tuesday’s State Board of Elections hearing. Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker will be unopposed on the Democratic Party side after the board voted to remove challenger Patricia Tillman due to a lack of signatures. In the state’s U.S. Senate race, voters pulling a Democratic ballot will have ten choices and Republican voters will have seven.
(Paxton–jc) A blood drive is coming to Paxton the day after Christmas. Impact Blood Drive Spokesperson Kevin Hanson says the efforts are set for those 16 years of age and older on December 26th…
Impact Blood Drive Spokesperson Kevin Hanson
Chicago, Il – The Illinois Commerce Commission is reminding customers that the state’s winter weather rule is in effect now through the end of March. The winter weather rule limits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating. The winter weather rule protects residential customers from disconnections when temperatures are forecasted to be at or below 32 F, and on days preceding holidays and weekends when the forecast is expected to drop to freezing.
(Bloomington–jc) The I H S A Board of directors heard proposals concerning football playoffs and several area school district issues. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Springfield-jm) – A bill signed into law Tuesday will protect immigrant families from escalating ICE enforcement. The new law creates safe zones and allows immigrants to file lawsuits against law enforcement violating their constitutional rights. The Illinois Bivens Act ensures community spaces like hospitals, courthouses, universities and daycare centers remain safe for all residents, regardless of their immigration status. This law also requires a 1,000-foot safety zone around courthouses, including sidewalks, parkways and nearby streets. People can now file civil lawsuits against law enforcement officers 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. Senate and House Republicans said this is a step in the wrong direction.
(Springfield–jc) Some legislators are taking a stand on safety for Illinois citizens as Illinois Governor and some other state leaders proclaim the state is safe. 105th district State Representative Dennis Tipsord, Republican from Metamora, says the actions by the federal government to bring in national guard members will help safety, especially in the big cities like Chicago…
105th District State Representative Dennis Tipsord, Republican from Metamora.
(Champaign-jm) — A Champaign man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal sexual assault. He was accused of crimes against the same victim for multiple incidents. 38-year-old Antonio Carter pleaded guilty to criminal sexual assault/use of force for an incident that occurred on February 23 involving a female victim. Aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, unlawful restraint, aggravated domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery/strangle charges were dismissed.
(Onarga–jc) Onarga’s Christmas Tree lane will be open again this week in the village at the American Legion hall. Onarga American Legion Auxiliary President Deb Talbert invites the public to come and see the trees and enjoy several events…
Onarga American Legion Auxiliary President Deb Talbert
(Mansfield–jc) State police have reported a fatal crash in Piatt County along Interstate 74 near Mansfield Tuesday morning. A semi-truck driver was killed in the crash. Police say the driver lost control of his rig, went off the interstate, struck a tree and caught fire. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic was slowed for several hours. The drivers identification is officially pending
(Paxton–jc) – The annual meeting of the Ford County Supervisor of Assessments is set for Wednesday December 17th in Paxton. The 1pm meeting at the Ford County Courthouse is for the purpose of assembling all assessors and their deputies for consultation and to present instructions for the 20-26 assessment year.
(Washington–jc) Bridge payments for farmers will soon be available. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued an updated standing order which adds Illinois public libraries to the list of locations that are permitted to keep a supply of opioid overdose reversal agents on hand, and to allow trained staff to administer them in the event of a suspected overdose on their premises. The revised standing order makes it easier for libraries to comply with a new law that takes effect next month.
(Naperville–jc) A United States Customs and Border Protection officer has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually assaulting and robbing women in Schaumburg and Naperville three years ago. Luis Uribe, 44, of Pingree Grove was arrested Tuesday morning.He faces 10 counts of deprivation of civil rights under color of law and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
(Undated–jc) What’s the cost of litigation and the effect on jobs? WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
WPXN news notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, December 12th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The St. Joseph Stanton Fire Department will hold their Holly Jolly Christmas breakfast on Saturday, December 13th with a pancake breakfast from 7-10 am, Santa arrives at 10 am. Other activities include a hot cocoa bar, letters to Santa, cookie decorating and more.
The Rantoul Recreation Department will host a breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 13th from 8-10 at the Rantoul Youth Center.
Cindy’s Roadside Cafe in Buckley will hold cookies and hot cocoa with Santa on Saturday, December 13th at 11 am.
