(Springfield-jm) – As the countdown to Christmas continues, holiday travel is set to reach record highs, with AAA projecting over 122 million travelers in 2025, potentially surpassing 2019 and 2024 figures. Illinois State Police are preparing for increased travel due to warmer weather, which could lead to more people on the roads. Travel by bus, train, or cruise has grown nearly 25% since 2019, while auto and air travel have increased by 1.4% and 12%, respectively. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported seven fatalities in six crashes over Dec. 24 and 25 in 2024. They urge travelers to wear seatbelts, have a sober driver, avoid speeding, and limit distractions.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –  The new transit law signed by Illinois Governor J B Pritzker, among other things, takes millions of dollars of road project money from the central and southern parts of Illinois and gives it to the struggling Chicago Area Transit system. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon, says this is worse than unfortunate…

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a?lawsuit?against Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul after the governor signed legislation allowing civil suits against federal law enforcement officers. The D-O-J said House Bill 1312 is unconstitutional and threatens the safety of federal officers. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Steven Weinhoeft said it is unfortunate that Illinois politicians prefer to attack law enforcement with lawsuits and punitive damage. Weinhoeft said courthouse arrests are only necessary because Illinois refuses to honor federal detainers at jails and prisons.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Now that the city of Paxton has been approved for their local hazard mitigation plan, one of the next steps is to look at projects and funding. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says city officials have several ideas for projects…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Undated-jm) — As respiratory illness season continues, hospitals across Central Illinois are implementing new visitors’ guidelines as precautions. The entire HSHS system in both Illinois and Wisconsin announced it started visitor guidelines as a precaution on Monday. Only two people will be allowed to visit a patient at any one time, and officials advised that people not visit unless they are over the age of 18. OSF announced they too will be adopting similar policies soon. Carle Hospital said as of right now they have not put any restrictions but may do so if IDPH guidance suggests they should. There’s no word on if Gibson Area Hospital or Iroquois Memorial Hospital have put any guidelines out.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Ford County Republican Central Committee is hosting a meet the party candidates event in January. The free to attend event is set for Saturday January 24th from 1 to 3 in the afternoon in Paxton. Former 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says a full slate of state candidates to local candidates will be there…

   

Former State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. The local group is also offering sponsorships for the event in January at the Pueblo Lindo Restaurant

 

(Chicago–jc)  –The Department of Justice says a federal enforcement effort has led to the arrests of over 293 sexual abuse offenders, including at least five in Illinois, and the location of over 205 child victims. Operation Relentless Justice, a nationwide crackdown earlier this month that led to child pornography trafficking and possession charges against a man in the Central District of Illinois and various charges against four individuals in the Southern District of Illinois.

 

(Undated--jc)  – It’sChristmas Eve and WPXN News asked some area leaders what is on their Christmas Wish List. E X P Real Estate Agent in Paxton Kennedy Glazik says the gifts of joy and family…

   

E X P Real Estate Agent in Paxton Kennedy Glazik

(Undated-jm) – This holiday season, many U.S. drivers are getting the gift of lower gas prices. According to data from motor club AAA, December has been the cheapest month for prices at the pump this year. The national average for unleaded gasoline has stayed below the $3 mark since December 2nd, falling to its lowest level of about $2.85 a gallon. 

 

(Washington–jc)  What are the latest numbers on the U-S–D-A  Cattle on Feed report.  U-S-D-A livestock analyst Michael McConnell has the numbers…

 

 

U-S-D-A livestock analyst Michael McConnell

 

(Rome-jm) – Pope Leo said Tuesday he was “very disappointed” that his home state of Illinois had approved a law allowing for medically assisted suicide, and he called for greater respect of life. Leo said he had spoken “explicitly” with Gov. JB Pritzker and urged him to not sign the bill into law. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich did the same, Leo told reporters as he left his country house in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. The state’s six Catholic dioceses had criticized Pritzker’s signing, saying the law puts Illinois “on a dangerous and heartbreaking path.”

 

(Rantoul–jc) With the downtown Streetscape project in the village of Rantoul, project leaders have built a band stage area, complete with park benches and a future water feature. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says once it is completed, the area can be used for a wide variety of things…

 

 

RantoulMayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Paxton–jc)  A Holiday time in need blood drive is set for Friday in Paxton at the First Lutheran Church. Impact Life Spokesperson Kevin Hanson says they have around 10 openings for the blood drive on Friday from 9 until noon…

 

 

Impact Life Blood Drive Spokesperson Kevin Hanson

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is investing 4 million dollars in Medicaid family planning programming as funding for Planned Parenthood decreases in federal government support.  Planned Parenthood provided services for nearly 35,000 Illinois Medicaid customers across the state in 2024 with 4 million coming from the federal government. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker  is stepping in to fill this temporary funding gap to support healthcare services from cancer screenings to abortions.

 

(Undated--jc)  – It’s Christmas Eve and WPXN News asked some area leaders what is on their Christmas Wish List. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the best gifts are family and the true joy of the season…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

 

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 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.

 

The Champaign County Forest Preserve will host Raptors Up Close at the Lake of the Woods Pavilion on Saturday, January 24th from 10-11:30 am.