(Springfield-jm) - The Illinois Department of Corrections has been allowed to continue using its controversial mail scanning policy despite public backlash. Agency leaders told the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Friday that they have made significant changes to the policy after a public hearing and meetings with stakeholders. Those include new definitions to clarify types of mail and allow people to request printouts of notes from family and friends.
(Joliet–jc) – Illinois Governor J B Pritzker insists there’s not been any alleged fraud in Illinois that should cause the Trump administration to withhold funds for welfare programs. This week, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Jim O’Neill said the nearly $1 billion being frozen for Illinois is part of $10 billion from states he said are potential fraud hotspots that deserve more scrutiny. Governor Pritzker was in Joliet and was asked about the funds being withheld from Illinois…
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker. Federal officials say they are looking into expenditures in multiple states as an oversight to avoid fraud, as allegedly seen in Minnesota
(Urbana-jm) – A Champaign County official running for state office was removed from the ballot. Champaign County Auditor George Danos was vying to become the state’s next Comptroller. He’d originally had more than 6,000 signatures that he said are from people in the state. Candidates need at least 5,000 to be eligible. But an objection alleged that 3,000 of those were not up to standard because the addresses either didn’t match, weren’t complete and more. The State Board of Elections said after reviewing each claim, they found 1,800 signatures were ineligible, dropping Danos under the required 5,000.
(Rantoul–jc) – Winter is here, but plans for a busy summer continue to develop for the village of Rantoul. The Rantoul Sports Complex is full of baseball, softball to football and soccer events. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says in June the village has an event set for classic cars and more…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Chatsworth-jm) – A Chatsworth man is jailed before his trial after authorities said they found him in possession of thousands of videos and several hundred photos of child pornography. A release from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office said Jacob Monferdini, 23, was arrested in Chatsworth as part of an ongoing investigation of internet crimes against children under the age of 14. The release said Monferdini had in his possession 264 photos and 3,599 videos of child pornography. The Livingston County State’s Attorney’s Office has charged Monferdini with indecent solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child. Both charges are Class 3 felonies, with possible prison sentences of two-to-five years if he’s convicted. Monferdini could also receive a community-based sentence of probation and time in the county jail if he’s guilty. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending.
(Paxton–dm)-If you ever find out your water pipes have frozen, Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen has these tips on how to thaw out your pipes
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings at 730 on Scott’s Tips for Success.
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Hoopeston man is facing multiple charges after police said he fled a traffic stop. Police attempted to stop 29 year old Paul Odom for a traffic violation just after midnight Saturday morning near 4th Street and East Young Avenue. Odom took off from police but was later arrested. He’s facing charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal transportation of alcohol, unlawful use of a weapon, speeding and disregarding a traffic control device. He was taken to the Vermilion County Jail.
(Chicago–jc) –The network skipped the anthem on television on Saturday night for the Chicago Bears versus the Green Bay Packers game. Performing the anthem on Saturday night in Chicago was Paxton’s own Gina Miles. There is a copy of the anthem circulating on social media. Miles was also a recent national winner on “the Voice. Miles continues her career with shows and appearances.
(Springfield-jm) – Nicor Gas on Friday filed a $221 million rate hike request with the Illinois Commerce Commission, less than two months after state regulators approved a $168 million rate hike for the utility. The company estimates that the increase, if approved in full, will add less than $6 to monthly gas bills for typical residential customers, or 6.7% annually, starting in 2027. Nicor distributes natural gas to around 2.3 million customers in northern Illinois. Consumer advocates expressed outrage with the move, calling on state regulators to reject the request, which comes only days after Peoples Gas filed for a $202 million rate hike on Monday.
(Springfield–jc) – One new law on the books in Illinois provides training for substitute teachers to get training for school safety. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema says this makes sense to keep school children, teachers and staff safe…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Mahomet-jm) – A heavily discussed bill made its way through the state legislature with the goal to protect drinking water across Central Illinois, and it’s now in effect. The Mahomet Aquifer is a source of fresh water underground for about one million people. But adding chemicals could put the safety of the water at risk, statewide. The bill was passed on August 1, 2025, but it just became official on January 1st. It says no one can do carbon sequestration — the process of storing extra carbon underground, over, under or passing through a sole source aquifer — like the Mahomet Aquifer is.
(Iroquois County–jc) – A temporary solution to replace this CRIS transportation system is underway in Iroquois County. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Danville-jm) – Danville Area Community College has been awarded a grant worth nearly $600,000 to train a clean energy workforce. On Friday, DACC announced it has been given $592,984 to serve as the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program hub for the East Central Region of Illinois. This funding will support a new workforce training initiative that prepares people for high-demand careers in clean energy, at no cost to participants. Through this award, DACC will deliver the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Workforce Hub program at its campus. The college will manage all aspects of the program, including outreach, recruitment, screening training and participant support. This will be done with the goal of building a skilled and diverse clean energy workforce for the region.
(Rantoul–dm)-Signups are going on for The Rantoul Parks and Recreation spring Youth Soccer. Recreation Specialist for the Village of Rantoul Phoenix LaComb has the details.
Recreation Specialist for the Village of Rantoul Phoenix LaComb. To register, you can call 217-893-5700, or you can register online.
(Bloomington-jm) – A Sumatran tiger at the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington has died. The zoo said Rojo, the 19 year old Sumatran tiger was put down after his health declined rapidly from kidney disease. Sumatran tigers' life expectancy is about 18 years. Rojo arrived at the Miller Park Zoo in 2017 from the Topeka Zoo in Kansas.
