(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Secretary of State's office has unveiled its 2025 list of rejected vanity and personalized license plate requests, revealing that while creativity abounds among Illinois drivers, some ideas cross the line. This year, the office received 55,690 requests, with more than 550 denied for being inflammatory, profane, offensive, or too difficult to read, as per state law.
(Springfield–jc) The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act was passed this fall and signed this month, by Illinois Governor J B Pritzker, into law. Among other sources, the new law takes road money away from Central and Southern Illinois to help pay for the transit fees in Chicago and northern Illinois. More reaction today, from 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Champaign County-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public's help in solving two burglaries involving forced entry into farm buildings. On December 11, 2025, deputies from the Champaign County Sheriff's Office reported a burglary at Ehler Brothers Fertilizer, located at 2475 CR 2100N in St. Joseph Township. Numerous Milwaukee power tools were stolen. A similar incident occurred on Nov. 27, 2025, at 2644 CR 1800E in Rantoul Township, where Milwaukee tools and other equipment were taken. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers via phone at 217-373-TIPS.
(Paxton–jc) – The city of Paxton has passed its hazard mitigation plan. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the officials from the city have been to multiple meetings with other agencies and state officials to get the plan in place…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Decatur–jc) The Illinois State Police trafficking enforcement group has announced the arrest of two Decatur men and one Chicago man in separate cases of alleged human trafficking.ISP arrested Bryan M. Slater, 36, and Jacob D. Miller, 31, both of Decatur, in Sangamon County for the alleged abuse, sexual assault and forced prostitution of a woman. John O’Leary, 41, of Chicago was arrested in Knox County for promoting sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation, traveling to meet a minor, possession of methamphetamine and grooming.
(Champaign-jm) – As Ebertfest faces an uncertain future, one thing is certain: the film event will return to Champaign next April. Ebertfest’s officials are planning an event for April 17-19. Funding and financial issues are two reasons for an uncertain future.
(Cissna Park–jc) Shopping local is key for area towns and cities, especially for the holidays. Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer says its support for your neighbors who own the businesses and you will find needed ideas, for the holidays and beyond…
Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer
(Springfield–dm)-Illinois State Police have assigned 21 new troopers to locations around the state on Monday. A graduation ceremony was held Friday for a lateral-entry academy class in which officers with least two years of full-time experience completed an eleven-week ISP program. The program included training in cultural diversity, procedural justice, de-escalation tactics and more. New troopers earn approximately $90,000 in compensation upon graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy.
(Gibson City–jc) The scheduled meeting of the Gibson City City Council, was cancelled last night due to a lack of a quorum. The meeting will be re scheduled.
(Springfield-jm) – A new state law taking effect next week will ban companies from manufacturing, selling and distributing firefighter protective gear containing forever chemicals. Experts believe this could be critical for the long-term health of first responders. Companies selling protective equipment containing PFAS are required to provide written notice of why the chemicals are added to their gear by Jan. 1. Illinois will then ban the sale of any PPE containing forever chemicals to fire departments starting Jan. 1, 2027. This comes as nearly 75% of recent firefighter deaths have been linked to occupational cancer.
(Springfield–dm)--Local volunteer fire departments can now apply for equipment grants. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema Rep-Chanahon has the information.
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema Rep-Chanahon. For more information you can go to D-N-R-Illinois-gov-forward slash-grants.
(Springfield-jm) – A new report says Illinois is facing an energy shortage within the next five years, as artificial intelligence datacenters demand more electricity, which could lead to higher utility bills for state residents. The 2025 Resource Adequacy Study from the Illinois Power Agency, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency evaluated whether the state’s power grid can remain reliable as Illinois pushes toward a 100% clean energy target under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. According to the analysis, Illinois faces risks from both regional power grids that serve the state. Regulators say faster than expected growth in electricity demand, driven in part by datacenters, electrification, and economic development; the retirement of older fossil-fuel plants; transmission constraints; and extreme weather patterns.
(USDA–dm)-USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey goes over forecasts for temperatures and snow cover for the nation during the Christmas Eve - Christmas Day period.
(Champaign-jm) – Three people are facing gun charges in Champaign County after State Police said they were found with a gun unlawfully in their possession near a Culver’s. The arrests happened at 2:43 p.m. near the intersection of Neil Street and Windsor Road. Officials from the Illinois State Police said two men and one woman were in an SUV when they were arrested, and a gun was recovered at the scene. All three were charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon; court records show their charges are worded to indicate the gun was loaded and that they did not have FOID cards. All three are also from Urbana, and they’ve been identified as: Kaniya Campbell, 25; Rishion Frazier, 23 and Kyren Darnell, 21. Campbell and Frazier appeared in court on Monday for arraignment and were released from custody with conditions. They are due back in court on Jan. 21 and Feb. 10, respectively.
(Rantoul–jc) The downtown construction project in the village of Rantoul continues with completion plans in the Spring. One welcome to the downtown area from Route 45 in Rantoul is the east facing downtown village of Rantoul sign. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says it's the official welcome to downtown and another sign will be placed on the west side of downtown , soon…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the third
(Paxton–dm)-Christmas Day is just around the corner, and if you need some last minute ideas, Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen might be able to help.
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings on Scott’s Tips for Success.
(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois State Fire Marshal says there are steps consumers can take to lower the risk of fire and electric shock injury related to charging electric vehicles. The fire marshal shared that, before consumers purchase an EV, the U.S. Fire Administration says they should have a qualified electrician install a new, dedicated circuit for the vehicle’s charging device. The USFA also recommends purchasing a charger that is certified by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory and keeping charging components out of the reach of children. Additional tips and resources can be found at usfa.fema.gov.
WPXN News notes…
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.
The St Joseph-Swearingen Library announces its Winter Used Book Sale. The book sale will begin Monday, January 5th and will end Wednesday, January 28th. All items are for sale by donation. Books, DVDs, music CDs and audio books will be available.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host The 1985-Totally 80’s Mixtape Live on Saturday, January 17th. Doors open at 7 with the show starting at 8.
