(Springfield-jm) —- The deadline to enroll in the State of Illinois’ new insurance marketplace has been extended once again. Get Covered Illinois announced on Monday that the deadline to enroll has been pushed back to January 31. Officials cited record enrollment as the reason for the deadline being moved. People who enroll for coverage by January 31 will start receiving benefits on February 1.

 

(Campustown-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for tips that can help police solve a vehicle burglary spree that happened almost three months ago in Campustown. The spree happened the morning of October 21, 2025, at 202 East Green Street. Officials said that surveillance cameras recorded a person entering the building’s underground parking garage and breaking into several vehicles. The suspect is described as skinny and approximately 5′ 10″ tall. They were wearing a long black coat with a fur-lined hood, gray stocking cap, black face mask, gray sweatpants, gray gloves, plain white shoes and a black Nike backpack with a large Nike Swoosh on it. The suspect was also riding an electric scooter.

(Paxton-jm) - A No Kings Rally will be held on Saturday, January 24th in Paxton. The rally will take place near the Pueblo Lindo where the Ford County GOP will host a Republican meet and greet with voters.

 

(Champaign–dm)-If you have diabetes, you’ve probably heard “Watch your sweets!” or “Watch your carbs!” often. But we’re all human. We all crave a treat from time to time. So rather than avoiding things like candy and chips and just craving them more, health care providers have tips to be happy and keep your diabetes in check. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.                        

   

Adcock suggests picking things like berries, melons, grapes or dark chocolate instead. You could also pair chips with carrots to get that “crunch” feeling without downing a whole bag of chips.

 

(Washington–dm)-Federal child care and welfare dollars for Illinois and four other states are unfrozen after a U.S. District Court judge in New York issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s move to freeze $10 billion in funding. Gov. J.B. Pritzker reacted on social media by saying what he called President Donald Trump’s “abuse of power” would not stand. The funding freeze by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services came after alleged fraud involving federal funds for child care providers in Minnesota.

 

(Sprignffield–jc)  – Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has announced her retirement from the Illinois Supreme Court effective January 29, 2026. Justice Theis has served on the Supreme Court since  2010 and retires as one of the most prolific judges in Illinois history, having served in all levels of the judiciary in 40-plus years on the bench. She served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 

from 2022 to 2025.  First District Appellate Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor was appointed to fill Justice Theis’ seat. 

 

(Chicago-jm) – Illinois announced Monday that it has sued the Department of Homeland Security for "unlawful and dangerous" tactics used by Customs and Border Protection and ICE agents in the state.  The Office of the Governor stated that the lawsuit will challenge the Trump Administration's "federal overreach" regarding various enforcement tactics. The lawsuit said that Illinois has a "proven track record" of working with federal law enforcement. However, the Governor's Office maintained ICE and CBP agents' "lack of training and supervision" and "continuous failure to de-escalate" since the start of Operation Midway Blitz. CPB and ICE agents have killed one Illinois resident and shot another since federal deployment began in September, according to the office.

 

(Gordyville–dm)-The 31st Midwest Ag Expo is scheduled for January 21st and 22nd at Gordyville USA.  Director of Farm Shows Jami Applegate talks about the return of an old tradition.

 

 

Director of Farm Shows Jami Applegate

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois schools will soon receive incentives to expand dual language programs thanks to a new state law. The law calls on the Illinois State Board of Education to adopt a comprehensive plan for school districts outlining steps to establish or expand dual language education in their schools by December 15. House Bill 3026 also requires Illinois to establish an optional recognition pathway to recognize biliteracy at various levels before high school by July 1, 2027. That change would include milestones for bilingual students in Pre-K, fifth grade and eighth grade to encourage early language development.

 

(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman praised a bipartisan House vote extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, framing the legislation as a victory for families facing rising health care costs. U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen, Democrat from-Rockford, posted a video to social media as he walked off the House floor. The measure extends expanded A-C-A premium tax credits first enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which lower out-of-pocket insurance costs for enrollees. According to the Congressional Budget Office, however, extending those subsidies comes with a significant price tag. 

 

(Paxton–dm)-Paxton ERS is looking for volunteers to help with storm spotting, to help support the Paxton Fire and Police Departments and help with traffic control when needed.  Paxton ERS Secretary Kate Turner has more information.

 

 

Paxton ERS Secretary Kate Turner.  If you are interested you can call 217-781-3128 or 217-249-0700, or you can get more information on their Facebook page

 

(Iroquois County–dm)-Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver has announced that Early Voting for Iroquois County registered voters will be held at the County Clerk’s Office, 1001 E. Grant, Watseka, Illinois, from February 5 thru March 16, 2026, weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 14th from 8:30 a.m. – noon. This early voting site serves all 37 precincts. Please note County Offices will be closed Thursday, February 12 and Monday, February 16, 2026.

 

(Bloomington–jc)  Illinois Corn Grower Association officials say a one time pay out is good for agriculture, but more could be done. WPXN”s Joel Clvuer has the story…

 

 

(Illinois–dm)-A new list ranking the best and worst places to retire in 2026 has Illinois ranked ninth from the bottom. CareScout compared nine data points across three categories: affordability, quality of life, and health care. Wyoming topped the list, followed by New Hampshire and Vermont. New Jersey ranked last, due to high costs of living and personal income tax burdens.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

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 Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, January 15th from 4:30-6:30 pm. Dinner includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Cost is $11 for adults, $6 for kids 6-13. Deliveries available in town by calling 217-379-0349.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host Ridgeland on Friday, January 16th. The show begins at 8pm. They will also host the 1985-Totally 80’s Mixtape Live on Saturday, January 17th. Doors open at 7 with the show starting at 8.