(The Center Square) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 19-50, prompting strong backlash from medical, disability, religious and legal groups who say it was rushed and violates key ethical and legal protections. The law takes effect September 2026, giving providers and Illinois Department of Public Health time to implement safeguards. Patients must meet strict criteria, including confirmation from two physicians, mental capacity and informed consent about all end-of-life care options. State Representative . Bill Hauter, Republican from Morton, a practicing physician, said Pritzker showed signs of hesitation but ultimately “his leftist ideology took over and he signed it.”
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois could soon raise the minimum detainment age for minors from 10 to 13 years old. Democrats believe raising the detention age can give young people a fair chance and prevent early criminalization. A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk would change the detainment age from 10 to 12 years old in 2026 and then to 13 years old in 2027. There would be a carveout for intense crimes like murder, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated vehicular hijacking.
(Paxton–jc) The annual audit for the city of Paxton looks good again for this year. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says city officials have been meeting with the company and the audit will be presented to the city council at the January meeting…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Onarga-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation is announcing that weather permitting, Interstate 57 at the Illinois 54 interchange in Onarga will be closed for three consecutive nights starting Tuesday, December 16. The closure is necessary to demolish a portion of the Illinois 54 bridge deck over I-57. The closures will begin at 6 pm each night and end at 6 am the following morning. Traffic will be detoured off and onto I-57 using the exit and entrance ramps at Illinois 54. Illinois 54 will be open to one lane in each direction on the bridge and traffic at the intersections will be controlled by flaggers. Motorists should expect delays and consider alternate routes. The work is part of a $5 million project to replace the Illinois 54 bridge deck over I-57. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
(Thawville-jm) – A Thawville home was damaged by fire Sunday morning. Departments from Thawville, Piper City, Roberts Melvin, Gilman, Onarga, Danforth and Paxton responded. One cat perished in the fire. The residents were able to escape. The fire did cause a water main to break leaving the village under a boil water order.
(Paxton–dm)-It’s that time of year when you decorate your house for Christmas, and if you decorate outdoors, you will probably be using extension cords. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen tells us how to protect your extension cords
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings a 7:30 on Scott’s Tips for Success
(Paxton–jc) Another new business has opened in the city of Paxton. Hearing Matters L L C has their office in the Office building along Route 9 in the city, across from Pells Park. A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held Friday morning with the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce. Owner Tracy Hudson and staff will offer hearing screenings, video otoscopes, comprehensive hearing evaluations
To hearing aid Sales & fittings. They officially open this morning in Paxton.
The Illinois Gaming Board is planning to consider plans for a new riverboat casino in East Peoria at its next meeting February 5th. Boyd Gaming and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino representatives presented their plan last week. The state’s gaming board is also expected to consider Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s license renewal request in February.
(Springfield-jm) — The Illinois Retail Merchants Association says higher costs are not the only reason less seasonal workers are being hired. A survey by the National Retail Federation, hiring for the holiday season was expected to be between 265,000 and 365,000, down from the 494,000 in 2024. If that holds steady, it would be the lowest level in 15 years. While many point to this year’s tariff additions as the root cause, Rob Karr, president of IRMA, says not necessarily. They say they’ve also seen sales numbers up as a result of higher prices, inflation, and tariffs, but the number of actual products being sold is down.
(Champaign–dm)-Are you putting off your flu shot because you’re scared of needles? A nasal spray vaccine is more available this winter. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare explains.
Doctor Kasper reminds you that healthy kids mean less missed school days...and better academic outcomes.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department responded to an early morning apartment fire Saturday, and the cause is still under investigation. On December 13 at 12:28 a.m., Champaign Fire responded to a fire in a vacant, multi-family apartment building in the 1200 block of Parkland Court. Fire crews arrived on scene to find a two-story apartment building on fire, with a fully involved first floor apartment beginning to spread to adjacent units. As fire crews worked to extinguish the growing fire, a second alarm was called bringing additional fire units to the scene. There were no firefighter injuries reported during this incident.
(The Center Square) – Taxes and tolls will rise for many Illinoisans in 2026 if Governor J.B. Pritzker signs legislation to fund public transportation. Senate Bill 21-11 went to the governor’s desk in late November. Governor Pritzker said he looked forward to signing the bill after the General Assembly passed it early Halloween morning. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, raises tolls on Illinois tollways, takes gas tax money from the state’s road fund to fund public transit and allows the Regional Transportation Authority to raise sales taxes by a quarter of a percent in Chicago-area counties
(Gilman–dm)-The Iroquois West School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting today. Various items up for discussion include the adoption of a tax levy, discussion of a music department spring trip and discussion of a maintenance project grant. There will also be a second reading and approval of two policies. There will be a public hearing on a levy at 6:45, and the regular board meeting starts at 7:00pm in the high school board meeting room.
(Rantoul–dm)-Since 1993 Rantoul has been home to Lincoln’s Challenge. Earlier his month, Lincoln’s Challenge held their 65th graduation. Lincoln Challenges Public Relations Director Michael Camacho explains what the students have to accomplish in order to graduate…
Lincoln’s Challenge Public Relations Director Michael Camacho.
(Chicago–jc) -Convicted former ComEd C-E-O Anne Pramaggiore has joined former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan by requesting clemency from President Donald Trump's pardon attorney. The Chicago Tribune reports that Pramaggiore has been paying lobbyists in Washington DC to explore “matters relevant to the pardon process.”Pramaggiore is scheduled to begin serving a two-year prison sentence January 12th for her role in a scheme to bribe Madigan.
WPXN News notes…
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, December 18th from 4:30-6:30 pm. Dinner includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Cost is $11 for adults, $6 for kids 6-13. Deliveries available in town by calling 217-379-0349.
Impact Life will hold a blood drive on Friday, December 26th from 9-noon at the First Lutheran Church in Paxton. To schedule an appointment, email Kevin Hanson at e-m-t-c-o-o-r at hotmail dot com.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich supper on Friday, December 26th from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, December 27th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.
