(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is six months away from having a new state agency responsible for early childhood education programs. There have already been massive investments made in the Department of Early Childhood. This agency will officially launch on July 1, roughly two years after Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1 into law. The Department of Early Childhood will take over the state's childhood block grant program, childcare assistance, home visiting and early intervention services. It will also be responsible for daycare licensing, which became a problem for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

 

(Springfield–jc)  One new law on the books has been put in place for the safety of school children. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon says when someone at a school is being investigated there is a procedure that can be followed…

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law enacted January 1 could reduce discrimination in the life insurance industry. Insurance companies are now banned from limiting or denying life insurance coverage based on a criminal record. Sponsors said families should not be put in debt because of a crime their loved one committed a lifetime ago. They also argue life insurance companies should provide coverage regardless of the crime someone committed. The law does not require companies to offer life insurance coverage to people who are currently incarcerated. Still, Republicans are concerned about how this law could shake up life insurance policies.

 

(Urbana–jc)  Seasonal flu is on the rise in one area county. Champaign Urbana Public Health Department Deputy Administrator Mamadou Tounkara says it is the “flu season”...
    

 

Champaign Urbana Public Health Department Deputy Administrator Mamadou Tounkara

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Tuesday that the state’s unemployment rate was 4.4% in November, unchanged from September. November’s rate was down -0.5 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Total nonfarm payrolls were down 0.2% in November.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Miss Ford County 2025, Charley Ulrich, of Paxton will compete in the 2026 Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs State Queen Pageant at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. The dates for the competition are Thursday, January 15 through Sunday, January 18th. Charley will compete with 74 other County Fair Queens for the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen 2026 title. The contestants will be judged on personal interview, stage presence, beauty of face and physical condition, and speech and communication skills. Personal interviews are conducted off-stage on Friday. Miss Ford County will officially compete on stage as Contestant #43 in the Saturday afternoon preliminaries beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Ruby/Diamond room on the second floor of the Crowne Plaza. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50 million in taxpayer-funded grants for historically underserved communities. The group  says it will allocate $35 million to support community re-entry from the criminal legal system, economic development, and civil legal aid programs, with another $15 million slotted for youth development and violence prevention initiatives. 

 

(Washington–jc)  –How did ag producers fare with prices received for their commodities in November? Rod Bain has the numbers…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The C-D-C has changed federal guidelines which said that young children no longer need 18 vaccinations but only 11. It’s a change the state will not follow, sticking with the old guidelines. The C-D-C move comes at the height of flu season, which is surging across the nation. Cases of flu have been on the rise in Illinois, with several hospitals in Central Illinois implementing visitor restrictions due to the large number of respiratory illnesses. Illinois reported the first influenza death in a child this week for this flu season. During the 2024/2025 season, Illinois reported 12 pediatric deaths from influenza, six from RSV and three from COVID-19. So far this flu season, 21.91% of Illinois residents have received a flu shot.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  City of Paxton leaders  continue to try and sell a property on south Market Street in the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the property was obtained by the city and the structure on the property was torn down and its now for sale…

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Springfield-jm) – A proposed law in Illinois would require health warning labels on gas appliances, such as stoves, ovens or water heaters. House bill 4272, filed by Representative Michael Crawford, would prohibit the sale of a non-externally vented natural gas appliance without a warning of respiratory health risks. Illinois Democrats attempted to pass similar legislation before in 2023 but that bill never advanced out of the Rules Committee.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The new community outside pavilion placed in downtown Rantoul can be used for a variety of purposes. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says one use will be for “Freedom Friday’s” this year in the village…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

The Illinois Department of Labor says a new amendment to the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act clarifies that employees may use an employer-provided device to document or record evidence of violence affecting themselves and or their family. Officials say workers who use a business-owned device to record or preserve evidence of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking may not be disciplined or retaliated against for that use. The amendment took effect on January First.

 

SPRINGFIELD — As Illinois heads into a new year and a new legislative session, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie is calling for a clear change in direction, one focused on affordability, public safety, and job-creating infrastructure….

84th District State Representative-Illinois House Minority Leader Toni McCombie, Republican from Savannah.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is accepting applications for the 2026 DCFS Scholarship Program until March 31. Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers if they attend a public university or community college, a monthly grant of $1,577 to offset other expenses and a medical card. In 2025, DCFS awarded scholarships to 334 college-bound youth.  Applications are available online.

 

WPXN News notes

 

The Thawville American Legion will hold their all you can eat fish fry on Friday, January 9th from 4:30-7pm. Cost is $15.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, January 9th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host country line dancing with DJ Maggie B on Friday, January 9th from 8-11pm. 

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a food distribution on Thursday, January 15th from 1:30-2:30 pm in the parking lot across from the Milford post office.

 

The 2026 Midwest Ag Expo will take place Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd at Gordyville USA. Over 175 vendors will be present. Free admission and free parking. Hours 8:30-4 on the 21st and 8:30-3 on the 22nd.