(Springfield-jm) — This is a midterm election year as candidates prepare to fight for offices in Illinois ahead of the March primary. On Thursday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey put out what he calls his "Blueprint for Illinois." His campaign focuses on affordability, cutting government waste and slashing utility bills, which he blames on the state's current energy policy. 

 

(The Center Square) – Nearly a billion federal taxpayer dollars for child care and family assistance programs are being withheld from the state of Illinois. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it would freeze $10 billion from five states. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday said their goal is clear. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said all told, approximately $1 billion could be impacted for the Land of Lincoln. Pritzker said the freeze is “wrong, it is cruel,” and the state will take every step possible to defend those impacted. HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill said that should be easy

   

HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill 

 

(Urbana-jm) — A man accused of shooting his girlfriend in October was found fit to stand trial during a hearing yesterday. The incident occurred on October 7th, last year in Urbana The area of the shooting was near theUrbana Middle School. The schools went on a lock down that day. Upon investigation, police identified the suspect as the victim’s boyfriend, 21-year-old Noah Allen of Urbana. Allen is facing three charges, one of those being attempted first-degree murder, with a maximum sentence of 55 years. He’s also charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felon.

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – A Danville man accused of aggravated battery against a bailiff was found guilty after a three-day trial this week. The Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office announced a jury found 36-year-old Lawrence Hancock of Danville guilty of aggravated battery of a state employee and aggravated battery in a public place, both Class 3 felonies. The trial happened almost three years after the battery happened in the same courthouse.

 

(Paxton–jc)  City of Paxton leaders continue to look for funding for expanding the city's streetscape program. Improvements have been made in several blocks of the downtown area and Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the plan is for doing several more blocks in the downtown area…

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Chicago–jc)  -The Chicago Fed Real-Time Unemployment Rate Forecast is estimating the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly unemployment rate at 4.56% for December, matching the actual BLS unemployment rate for November.

The December 2024 unemployment rate was 4.09%.

 

(Gibson city–jc)  Gibson City council members will look to approve their Ford County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard  Mitigation plan when they meet next week. A TIF agreement between the city and One Earth Energy is also on the January meeting agenda. Gibson City leaders will also consider a contract with Lee Excavating for property clean up. That amount is expected to be around 15 thousand dollars. The Gibson City, city council, meets on Monday night at 7 in the city council chambers on East 8th Street. 

 

(Urbana–jc)-University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen informed the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois Thursday that he will step down at the conclusion of his current contract on June 30, 2027.  Board Chair Jesse Ruiz praised Killeen for leading with vision and integrity.  Killeen said that while his work as president continues, this is the right moment to begin preparing for the next era of U of I System leadership.

 

CHAMPAIGN – In 2025, the Champaign Police Department partnered with community organizations, neighborhood groups, and local agencies to strengthen connections across the community. Officers and staff engaged with residents through a wide range of activities. From Touch-a-Truck events for children to “Know Your Rights” presentations for community members of all ages. In total, Champaign Police dedicated over 2 thousand staff hours with  374 community events. This effort reflects a focused commitment to community policing, guided by the vision of City leadership. By building relationships throughout the year, police personnel fostered trust and collaboration, promoting public safety in Champaign.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act,  marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future. The new law is expected to help with electricity costs driven by private grid operators, expands cost-saving energy resources, and continues to grow Illinois’ clean energy economy across the state. This  legislation comes as Illinoisans and working families nationwide saw significant increases in electricity bills. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, republican from Channahon, opposed the measure saying safeguards and protections for individual families was not part of the legislation

 

(Urbana–jc) There continues to be a rise in flu cases in Champaign County. Champaign Urbana Public Health Department Deputy Administrator Mamadou Townkara says it is important to keep your vaccinations updated especially for certain age groups…

 

 

Champaign Urbana Public Health Department Deputy Administrator Mamdou Townkara

 

(Thomasboro-jm) — A house fire in Champaign County forced one family to find a temporary place to stay after a blaze ripped through their house. It happened at the corner of St. Joseph and Jacobsen Drives in Thomasboro. The fire department said that four people, a dog and a cat are all displaced. By the time the fire  department got to the house, they said the fire was in the garage. Crews from Thomasboro, Rantoul, Gifford and Sangamon Valley responded. Firefighters had to use foam to keep gas in the car and lawn mower from relighting. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.

 

(USDA–dm)-Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins discuss various aspects and focuses of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued this week.

 

 

(Danville–jc)  A Juvenile was taken into custody Thursday at Danville high School. WCIA reports that the person is facing a terrorist charge in the incident. The youth was taken into custody before the start of school at Danville High School Thursday morning. The juvenile also faces several disorderly conduct charges.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  The village of Rantoul continues to look to hire help for the 20-26 seasons at the Rantoul Sports Complex. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says they have secured a wide variety of tournaments and games at the complex, again, this year, and help is needed…

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the March 2026 primary ballot this week, removing several Republican candidates for governor after upholding petition challenges. Remaining on the GOP gubernatorial ballot is Darren Bailey, Ted Dabrowski, James Mendrick and Rick Heidner. Gov. J.B. Pritzker will be unchallenged in the Democrats’ primary March 17. For U.S. Senate Candidates, Democrats will have 10 to choose from, Republicans six. Early voting starts February 5th

 

(Hoopeston)- The Hoopeston FFA Alumni Chapter will hold their annual FFA Auction on Saturday January 31st.  Hoopeston FFA Member Ken Anderson has the details

 

Hoopeston FFA Member Ken Anderson

 

(Northern Illinois–jc)  –The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois says it cracked down on crime and implemented new policies in 2025.

Statistics the office released show indictments were up 34% compared to the previous year. The office also touts more focus on mass transit safety, health care fraud investigations and immigration enforcement efforts.

 

(Gilman–jc)  Iroquois West School board members will meet on Monday in a special session. The main topic on the agenda is the purchase or lease of a property for use by the school system. The Iroquois West School board meeting comes to order at 5 on Monday afternoon at the high school in Gilman.

 

WPXN News notes…

The Thawville American Legion will hold their all you can eat fish fry tonight from 4:30-7pm. Cost is $15.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner tonight from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host country line dancing with DJ Maggie B tonight 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.