(Undated-jm) – An Illinois sweets company is recalling bags of popular holiday bark sold at beloved grocery stores nationwide because they may contain undeclared allergens that could lead to "life-threatening" allergic reactions if consumed. The voluntary recall, issued by Silvestri Sweets of Geneva, was issued days before Thanksgiving, according to a release from the Food and Drug Administration. The recall was expanded the day before Christmas Eve, an updated release showed. The recall impacts 5-ounce bags of two different types of Choceur-branded Holiday Bark. The stand-up pouch bags were sold at Aldi grocery stores across the country, the FDA said.

 

(Undated-jm) – If you need a last minute shopping trip or a hot meal on Christmas Day, here are some locations that will still be open. Note that some hours may vary based on location. It is still a good idea to call ahead to verify that the hours listed online apply to your specific store or restaurant. Some places open include Casey’s General Store, Circle K, Denny’s, Arby’s and Red Lobster.

 

(Springfield-jm) – There’s a new state law becoming official on New Year’s Day that gun owners should know about. The Safe Gun Storage Act says that gun owners must keep their firearms out of reach of minors, an at-risk person, or someone banned from using guns. If a minor or a prohibited person gets someone else’s gun, the owner will get a fine of up to $1,000. If that person commits a violent crime with the weapon, the maximum fine increases to $10,000.

 

(Paxton–jc)  A blood drive is set for tomorrow in Paxton. Impact Life local event coordinator Kevin Hanson says they have around 8 openings for the 9 to noon event on Friday at the First Lutheran Church in Paxton…

   

Impact Life Paxton Blood Drive event Spokesperson Kevin Hanson.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Human trafficking is a $236 billion industry worldwide, and it’s something that experts say increases during the holiday season. Police say around 50 million people are trafficked worldwide, and they try to learn as much information as possible to stop these cases before they start. But they say educating oneself is the first step, which enables people to protect themselves. Experts and law enforcement said people of all ages, races and ages can fall victim to it.

 

(Undated-jm) - The only stand-alone Starbucks in Urbana is closed indefinitely after the employees joined the Starbucks Workers United union, while a nationwide strike was underway. 65 stores initially went on strike on November 13, followed by 30 more stores a week later. Champaign’s Neil Street store joined the strike two weeks ago, and this week, the store on Urbana’s Vine Street did too. Both stores are closed while the employees picket in front of the store on Springfield Avenue in Champaign, which is open. The union said they are striking because they want improved staffing, higher take-home pay and the resolution of unfair labor practices.

 

(Undated–jc)  Its Christmas day and WPXN News asked area leaders what was on their Christmas gift list. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the third says its no presents but family…

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Springfield–jm) – Tipped workers in Illinois will continue to pay state taxes on their tips, as the state has chosen not to adopt a recent federal tax policy change. The federal tax code, altered by the "One Big Beautiful Bill," allows tipped workers to deduct up to $25,000 from their federal taxable income. However, this deduction will not apply to Illinois state taxes. Katherine Loughead, a senior policy analyst and research manager at the Tax Foundation, explained, "Illinois was never on track to offer a deduction for tips like what is being offered at the federal level." She added, "Nothing will change for Illinois taxpayers. They will still be able to deduct up to $25k of their tips on the federal level, so that is still a benefit that they get when they pay their federal income taxes and nothing will change at the state level." Illinois calculates state income tax based on adjusted gross income, which includes income before federal deductions for tips. Loughead noted, "Illinois used federal AGI, which is a higher amount as the first line on the state income tax form. And so Illinois looks at the amount of income that a taxpayer earns before the federal deduction for tips is subtracted out." Concerns have been raised about the fairness of such a policy, as it may benefit tipped workers while leaving out similarly paid workers who do not receive tips.

 

(Springfield–jc)  One new law in the state of Illinois allows students at high schools experiences outside of the classroom.  53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema explains…

 

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Undated-jm) – Tuesday was the 25th anniversary of the event that led to the creation of Scott’s Law. The Illinois State Police looked back at that event and discussed how they still deal with similar events two decades later. On December 23, 2000, Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department was hit and killed by a driver while he was on the scene of a crash on the interstate. His death led to the implementation of a move-over law named in his honor. Scott’s Law requires motorists to slow down and to change lanes when they encounter a stationary authorized emergency vehicle. State Police said that despite the law, 13 State Troopers or their cars were hit on the interstate this year. The good news is that number is down from 2024. An enhancement to Scott’s Law is coming next year. Beginning January 1, it will now apply to any vehicles with flashing lights, in addition to emergency vehicles.

 

(Champaign-jm) - A new study from researchers at the University of Illinois is shedding light on the impact electric scooters may be having on public safety. The research examined Chicago’s e-scooter rollout and found a connection between scooters and an increase in certain types of crime in 2019.  The study analyzed data from an e-scooter pilot, comparing outcomes before and after scooters were introduced, and looking at areas where scooters were allowed versus areas where they were not. Researchers found an increase in some street and vehicle-related crimes. Crime linked to e-scooter entry was worse on weekends and during non-peak traffic hours — times when fewer people are around and there’s less natural surveillance.

 

(Paxton–jc)  City leaders in Paxton have demolished a property at 404 South Market and it is now ready for re-sell. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the fast track process is complete and the property needs bids for purchase…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Undated-jm) – Illinois State Police will conduct Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement patrols in Macon and Vermillion counties during January. The patrols allow the state police to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired driving and illegal transportation or consumption of alcohol or drugs. Officers working the detail will be watchful for motorists who show signs of impaired driving, operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, and transporting open alcoholic beverages, as well as improper seatbelt and child restraint usage, distracted driving, and other Illinois Vehicle Code violations. Alcohol and drug impairment are estimated to be a factor in more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. There is one alcohol-related traffic fatality every 39 minutes in the United States.

 

(Undated-jm) – Allstate plans to raise Illinois homeowners’ insurance rates nearly nine percent starting February 24. According to a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times, the increase will impact more than 200,000 policyholders statewide. On social media, Allstate pointed to severe weather and rising construction costs as reasons for the rate increase. Consumer advocates called the increase “excessive,” noting that Allstate reported billions in profits and warning that other insurers could follow suit. The Sun-Times reported Illinois homeowners are already paying about 50 percent more for insurance than they did just three years ago, with consumer groups pushing for stronger state oversight. Bloomington-based State Farm, the nation’s largest insurer, added a 27% rate increase over the summer, also citing severe weather as the reason.

 

(Undated–jc)  Its Christmas day and WPXN News asked area leaders what was on their Christmas gift list. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about family…

 

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.