(Joliet-jm) – The Vatican announced Thursday that Bishop Ronald Hicks, who has led the Diocese of Joliet for the past five years, will become archbishop of New York. The Joliet Diocese states Hicks will be installed on February 6 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Hicks will continue as bishop in Joliet until his installation in New York. He was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in September 2020.

 

(Paxton–jc)  city of Paxton workers will be replacing some valves at Paxton’s waste water plant next week. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says some replacement issues have occurred with the aging of the plant and parts were needed for repair…

   

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Champaign-jm) – The man accused of stabbing three Champaign first responders in September has been found fit to stand trial. Trevor Lewis called 911 the evening of September 4 and reported he was experiencing mental health concerns near Neil Street and Buena Vista Drive. Shortly after the first responders arrived, however, police were called out to the scene for an in-progress stabbing. There, they found two Champaign firefighters and a paramedic with stab wounds. On Thursday, Lewis was due to appear in court to determine if he was fit to stand trial. After reviewing records, including the psychiatrist’s reports and the court’s observations, Lewis was found fit to stand trial or plead guilty. Lewis is facing multiple felonies, including attempted murder and aggravated battery. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison. Lewis is scheduled to appear in court again for a pre-trial conference on January 27, 2026.

(Champaign-jm) – Restoration Urban Ministries in Champaign is reopening its transitional housing program after previously shutting down due to funding issues. As the nonprofit prepares to welcome families again, a fire damaged one of its buildings last weekend. Leaders at Restoration Urban Ministries say they are still on track to reopen in January, despite the fire. Investigators have not released an official cause.

 

(Chicago–jc)  –The Illinois Commerce Commission has struck 25 million dollars from ComEd’s 268 million dollar 2024 rate reconciliation request. An I-C-C statement said the decision struck the bulk of overrun costs related to the utility’s “mismanaged” customer care and billing rollout. In a separate decision, the I-C-C struck 11 million dollars from Ameren Illinois’60 million dollar multi-year rate reconciliation request.

 

(Springfield–jc) The nation will celebrate the 250 anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next July. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema,  Republican from Channahon, says The Illinois Municipal League  is sponsoring a “time capsule” project…

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Champaign–jc)  – The Parkland College Board of Trustees approved two upcoming academic calendars among other items at their monthly meeting this week. The academic calendar years of 27-28 and 28029 were reviewed and accepted by the Parkland College Parkland College exteriorAssociation Senate and College Council. Board members also learned that the Champaign based college  has been awarded a two-year 75 thousand dollar grant from the Caterpillar Foundation to fund internships and apprenticeships connected with tech programs at the junior college.

 

(Clinton–jc)  –  88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur says her district received some good news as  the Nuclear Regulatory Commission  approved a 20-year initial license renewal for Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center in Clinton and a 20-year subsequent license renewal for Dresden Clean Energy Center in Morris. Deering says Governor J B Pritzker and the majority democrats have the state's energy policies in shambles, but she was pleased about the N-R-C’s decision to continue to issue licenses and renewals for nuclear energy in Illinois.  Constellation states that more than 2,200 jobs and $8.1 billion federal, state, and local tax dollars will be preserved.

 

(Springfield-jm) — A new Illinois law could provide more due process for people with revoked FOID cards. Anyone can lose their FOID card if they are reported to the Illinois State Police as a danger to themselves or others by medical professionals, law enforcement, or school officials. The FOID card review board will establish a process for gun owners to request expedited reviews of their cases starting Jan. 1. Gun owners will be able to receive any information related to their case and could object to redactions they feel are necessary for a full and fair review. 

 

(The Center Square) – Governor J.B. Pritzker says Illinois decoupling from portions of the federal tax code was necessary to keep tax dollars flowing to the state that the federal government was trying to give back. The governor’s office said the measure decouples from federal bonus depreciation for newly constructed non-residential real property, among other corporate tax changes. Pritzker said Illinois would be hurt if that money was not in state government coffers.State spending of public money since Pritzker took office in 2019 has increased $16 billion annually, or nearly 43%.  Before the measure passed, Senate Minority Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, said they know neighboring states are conforming with the federal tax changes, allowing businesses to keep more of their money.

 

 

Senate Minority Leader John Curran R-Downers Grove

 

(Washington-jm) – The U.S. Justice Department sued three states and the District of Columbia on Thursday for not turning over requested voter information to the Trump administration. The latest lawsuits were filed against Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia and the District of Columbia. The Justice Department has now filed 22 lawsuits seeking voter information as part of its effort to collect detailed voting data and other election information across the country.

 

(Hoopeston–dm)-Since 2013 Hoopeston citizens have put up Christmas displays to light up McFerren Park.  Lights in the Park Chairman Russ Leigh tells us how the Lights in the Park got started.

 

 

Lights in the Park Chairman Russ Leigh. The Park is open daily from Dusk to 11pm and has over 25 displays.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch says conversations about energy policy will continue, even with a measure pending the governor's signature. Welch, Democrat fromHillside, told The Center Square that the energy bill lawmakers approved in October will work to lower energy costs. The measure puts more emphasis on alternative energy like batteries and also lifts the nuclear moratorium. But, a study released by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and others said Illinois will have energy shortages if it continues.

 

(Fisher-jm) – A referendum has been approved to appear on a 2026 ballot looking to establish a Champaign County library district. The Champaign County Sixth District Court has officially approved a referendum to appear on the March 17, 2026, ballot seeking to establish the Fisher Community Library District. The Citizens for Fisher Library, a volunteer-led community group, said this marks an exciting step for the area. This group has been working over the past several months to collect signatures and build support for the creation of a local library district.

 

(USDA–dm)-With U.S. efforts to keep African Swine Fever away from our nation's pig herds, advice to travelers going to ASF free zones this holiday is do not bring pork back. Rod Bain has more information.

 

 

(Gordyville–jc)  The Midwest Ag Expo is set to make another run in January at Gordyville USA near Gifford. This year’s two day event is set for January 21st from 8-30am to 4pm and January 22nd from 8-30am to 3pm. Country Financial is also sponsoring a breakfast on the first day of the show at this year’s event. Over 175 exhibitors with “everything agriculture” are planned for the Midwest Ag Expo in January. WPXN will be broadcasting live at the show, again, this year.

 

(Rantoul–jc) Village of Rantoul officials continue to look for more economic development for the town.. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says they are always having conversations and meetings with potential opportunities …

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Springfield–dm)-The Citizens Utility Board says ComEd customers can expect continued high prices after grid operator PJM Interconnection released the results of a capacity auction to determine the price of reserve power in 2027 and 2028.

The results follow a study from the Illinois Power Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Commerce Commission finding that if Illinois continues on the current path, even with billions in subsidies for battery storage, the state will face an energy shortage in four years.