(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker says Illinois lawmakers stand ready to respond if Indiana Republicans pass their new congressional map. Although it isn't a surprise since House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tried to get Illinois Democrats to pass a new map this fall. Indiana senators could vote on the new congressional map as soon as Thursday, but many Republicans are uncomfortable taking that vote. Democrats across the country have called on Illinois Democrats to redraw the congressional districts to counter Republican states. Illinois currently has 14 Democrats and three Republicans in Congress, but some believe there could be a 15-2 split by eliminating a north Central Illinois GOP district. Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation have previously said they firmly support a new map to level the playing field, safeguard free elections and defend the state against "Republican extremists."

 

(Springfield–jc)  Some good news of the state capitol for one area school district and its bonding needs for  some new facilities. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington says the bond issue time for the Watseka school district has been extended to 10 years from 5 years during the fall veto session…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington 

 

(Danville-jm) – State Representative Brandun Schweizer was named one of the Prairie State Policy Champions by Americans for Prosperity-Illinois. Lawmakers named were leading advocates on reining in government spending, reducing Illinois’ tax burden, and protecting homeschoolers and educational choice.

 

(Buckley-jm) – In early 2026, residents of Buckley will be posed with a question of deciding if the village should double its debt amount to fund a project. At the December Buckley village board meeting, board members approved placing a question on the March 17 election ballot asking voters whether they would support increasing the village’s debt amount from $8 million to $16 million. The increase would fund a proposed sanitary sewer system and treatment plant. If the ballot question does not pass, the village will be required to pay back the roughly $800,000 already spent out of grant money received. 

 

(Chicago–jc)  A vigil is planned this afternoon outside the State of Illinois building in Chicago’s West Loop, asking Governor J.B. Pritzker to veto a physician-assisted suicide bill. The Catholic bishops of Illinois wrote to the governor asking for the veto of Senate Bill 1950 as a matter of “grave moral importance.” Disability rights activists opposed the bill and county coroners also expressed “grave concerns.” The vigil is scheduled from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 555 W. Monroe St.

 

(Ford county–jc) Yes it is still fall, but those in East Central Illinois have seen several winter storm blasts already this year. Ford County  Emergency Management Services Director Terry Whitebird says be prepared with a number of items for your vehicle this winter…

 

 

Ford County Emergency Management Agency Director Terry Whitebird

 

(Springfield–jc)  Former Illinois House Speaker and Democratic Party of Illinois Chairman Michael Madigan is asking President Donald Trump for clemency on his public corruption conviction. The Chicago Tribune reports that Madigan asked for a pardon after completion of sentence when he filed his clemency petition with the Office of the Pardon Attorney The former speaker began serving a 7.5-year prison sentence in October.

 

(Springfield--jc)-- The Illinois Department of Employment Security  announced Wednesday that total nonfarm payrolls were nearly unchanged over-the-month in September. The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month jobs increases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities, Information, Leisure and Hospitality. The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll job decreases were Private Education, Health Services and Government.   Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by over 24 thousand jobs.

 

(Washington–jc)  One goal of a recently announced U-S-D-A regenerative agriculture pilot program is to increase access and supply chains of nutrient dense foods grown through such practices. Rod Bain has the details,,,

 

 

(Chicago–jc)  The National Federation of Independent Business is urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto the General Assembly’s energy omnibus.The group representing more than 10,000 small business owners in the state argued against Senate Bill 25’s expansions of project labor agreement mandates, discrimination against non-union contractors and workers, and subsidies to be paid by Illinois ratepayers.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The State Fire Marshal is urging people to keep fire safety as a top priority during the holidays. Decoration fires are a high risk this time of year, due to many people having candles as part of their seasonal decorating. Officials said more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles, often left burning while unattended. Home candle fires peak in December, and the top days are Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve. Those decorations include Christmas trees, especially real trees. Between 2019 and 2023, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 145 home fires per year that started with Christmas trees. Last year, 12 Illinoisans died in fire-related incidents during the holiday season.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  A senior luncheon is set for Thursday at 11-30 am at the Rantoul Youth Center in the village. The local Rantoul Recreation department is also sponsoring  a breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning, says Rantoul Recreation department Specialist Phoenix La Combe…

 

 

Rantoul Recreation Department Specialist Phoenix La Combe

(Undated-jm) – Iroquois County’s Annual Assessor Meeting is Thursday, December 18. The 1 pm meeting is in the County Board Room at the Administration Center in Watseka. The Assessment Office recently mailed out the ‘Notice of Property Assessment,’ indicating the 2025 Assessed Value, with percentage increases or decreases. Any appeals will go before the Board of Review. Appeals are accepted in the Assessment Office until December 22.The annual meeting of the Ford County Supervisor of Assessments is Wednesday December 17th in Paxton. The meeting at 1 pm at the Ford County Courthouse is to bring all assessors together for consultation and to present instructions for the 2026 assessment year.

 

(Champaign County–jm) — The Champaign County Board is voting to add three non-binding questions to March’s primary ballot. The questions are asking the public’s opinion on how to fix the county’s general fund deficit. The county is estimating it will spend around $53 million from the fund, but only make about $50 million in revenue, leaving an approximately $3 million deficit. If passed by the board Thursday, voters could say yes or no to the following options: raising sales taxes (not applied to medicine or groceries), raising property taxes or reducing county services. The questions would be non-binding.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  City of Paxton leaders will be meeting with representatives from Blue Cross and Blue Shield this morning to look at options for the city's health insurance for employees of the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they are looking at several options…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Chicago–jc)  –Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is facing questions after his U.S. Senate campaign sent out fundraising emails touting an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Hawaii.NBC News reports that Lieu had no knowledge of the emails and has not endorsed anyone in the Illinois Senate primary. The emails came to light when Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office contacted Lieu’s office about the issue.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – The Illinois Department of Transportation Wednesday announced the third official notice of funding opportunity through the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which will provide approximately over 65 million dollars for the construction of charging stations across the state. The latest opportunity builds on the first two rounds, which awarded funding for 62 charging stations along Illinois interstates to help meet Governor J-B Pritzker’s goal to have 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030.

 

 

WPXN News notes…

 

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.

 

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.