(Springfield-jm) — Governor JB Pritzker is defending the Pretrial Fairness Act following renewed criticism from law enforcement across the state. The Democrat told reporters at an unrelated event Tuesday that the Illinois crime rate has gone down significantly since the criminal justice reform took effect. Pritzker said he also believes Illinois is doing a better job of justly holding violent criminals in jail instead of forcing people who can't afford bail to sit behind bars. Still, Pritzker said he is open to suggestions for changes to the SAFE-T Act. Multiple Republicans have filed bills to repeal the law over the past two years. However, GOP lawmakers with law enforcement experience have introduced plans to require anyone charged with domestic violence or sex offenses be detained. The Illinois Senate started the 2026 session yesterday while state representatives will report to Springfield for their first day of session January 20th.

 

(Washington–jc)  elections for Farm Service Agency county committee members continue through February 2nd. Farm Service Agency Administrator Bill Beam explains some of the ways those local members serve producers in their area, and their communities..

   

Farm Service Agency Administrator Bill Beam

 

(Undated-jm) – Several Illinois roads were named among the nation’s deadliest. I-55 and I–57 were the top roads in the state to have the highest number of fatal accidents averaging over 100 fatalities each every year. Also making the list include I-74 and Route 45.

 

(Champaign County-jm) — There’s a change coming to the leadership at the Champaign Urbana Public Health Department. Administrator Julie Pryde is retiring after 30 years. 

 

(Paxton–jc) The Ford County Republican party is hosting a free get to know the candidates event in Paxton on Saturday January 24th. Gubernatorial candidates, U S Senate candidates along with State Senator and representative candidates will be in attendance. Former 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the event at the Pueblo Lindo Restaurant is one of information and vision…

   

Former 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett, Republican from Gibson City.  The free meet the candidates event takes place 1pm to 3pm January 24th at the Pueblo Lindo Restaurant in Paxton. 

 

(Normal–jc) Illinois Governor  J-B Pritzker along with officials and students at Illinois State University, broke ground on the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts  Transformation Project. This multi-year, 87 million dollar state investment, made possible through Rebuild Illinois, will expand ISU’s fine arts complex to offer academic, instructional, and performance spaces through phased renovation, demolition, and new construction work. The project has three new building additions and multiple renovations. New construction includes a wood shop and  glass-blowing space, a commons building for dance and performance and center for Performing Arts

 

(St Joseph–jc)  –Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ staff will be at the Saint Joseph Township- Swearingen Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 7th to help reunite citizens with missing money property through the I-Cash program.

In Champaign County, an estimated 353,026 people and or  businesses have unclaimed cash or property held by the treasurer’s office. The value exceeds 52, million dollars in Champaign County, alone. Statewide, Frerichs has secured more than $5 billion in unclaimed cash and property.

 

(Illinois–jc)  As America turns 250 years old, eagle watching in the state has become popular. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…

 

 

(Pontiac–jc) Another electronic vehicle charging spot is being dedicated today. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker will be at Wally’s in Pontiac for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The event is set for 3 today in Pontiac.

 

(Springfield-jm) — Illinois lawmakers could pass a bill this spring to ban rental junk fees and require transparency for leases. Democrats say renters shouldn't be surprised by charges included in their rent, such as fees for after-hours service requests, renewing a lease or routine maintenance. The legislation states all non-optional fees should be explicitly disclosed on the first page of a lease agreement. Sponsors stress tenants would not be liable to pay fees if they are not shown on the first page of the lease. Republicans said the bill comes from a good place, but they argue it could have unintended consequences. House Bill 3564 passed out of the Senate on a 39-16 vote in late October, but the House did not vote on the legislation before the end of the veto session.

 

(Urbana–jc)  It’s flu season and there have been recent up-ticks in the number of flu cases in the area, especially in Champaign County. Champaign Urbana Public Health Department Deputy Administrator Mamadou Townkara says to know the signs for coming down with influenza…

 

 

Champaign Urbana Public Health Department Deputy Administrator Mamadou Townkara.

 

(Paxton-jm) – A No Kings rally in Paxton scheduled for January 24th is moving locations. The original plan was for the rally to take place near the Pueblo Lindo event center where the Ford County GOP will hold a meet and greet with party candidates. The rally will now take place in downtown Paxton at the intersection of Pells and Market.

 

(Buckley–jc)  There is a new restaurant in the village of Buckley. Heather’s Kitchen is located along route 45 in the village and the business opened on Monday. Owner Heather Dinkins says she has been cooking since her teens and has lived in Buckley for 20 years…

 

 

Heather’s Kitchen of Buckley Owner Heather Dinkins. The business opens at 5am and runs until 2pm Mondays through Fridays in Buckley. 

 

(Urbana–jc)  – The Fighting Illini turned to Daktronics  of Brookings, South Dakota, to design, manufacture and install the largest main video display in college football, totaling over 17 thousand 300  square feet. The project includes 16 LED displays that combine nearly 27 thousand square feet and 30 million pixels at Gies Memorial Stadium on campus at the University of Illinois in Champaign. The project will be completed ahead of the 2026 college football season.University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman says the university is making the investment for continue to enhance the experiences  for fans, students, athletes and others at the University of Illinois

 

(Illinois–jc)  January 15th is the deadline to apply for the National FFA Scholarship  program. There is  2 and one half million dollars in scholarship funding. Those interested are asked to contact their high school F F A Advisor.

 

(Joliet–jc)  Illinois Governor J B Pritzker signed a new energy measure into law last week. It includes investment in new energy sources and also battery storage. Reaction from 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon…

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(The Center Square) – The former chief grant accountability officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health is being held accountable for working a private job on the taxpayer dime. The Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General’s latest newsletter highlights the case against the departments Chief Accountability Officer Vena Nelson failing to disclose outside employment and conducting that employment while working for the state. Both Nelson and her supervisor were terminated before the investigation concluded.

 

(Illinois–jc)  –The Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System’s unfunded ratio is decreasing.The latest Illinois Auditor General report for TRS released Tuesday shows a total liability of $162 billion, with $77.3 billion on hand. That makes the funding ratio 47.7%, which is up from 45.5% the previous year.

Also released Tuesday was the audit for the State University Retirement System, which is 45.5% funded.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker says the state will not build a stadium for the Chicago Bears. Pritzker spoke to reporters at Illinois State University in Normal on Tuesday and said building a stadium is about what’s best for the taxpayers. Pritzker reiterated he is open to state funding of infrastructure for a Bears stadium and said there have been ongoing conversations.

 

The governor suggested local governments could work on property tax relief the team has been seeking. Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren announced last month that the N-F-L team had expanded its search for a new stadium site to include Northwest Indiana. Former Illinois state Representative. Mark Batinick said Indiana officials could use their state’s tax structure to attract the Bears.

WPXN news notes…

 

The Champaign County Farm Bureau will host a series called Farm Sheets. Session 1: Marketing Beyond the Scale Ticket will take place on Tuesday, January 20th starting at 6:30 pm in the farm bureau auditorium. Dinner will be provided.

 

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.

 

The Champaign County Forest Preserve will host Raptors Up Close at the Lake of the Woods Pavilion on Saturday, January 24th from 10-11:30 am.

 

The Tri-Point FFA will hold their alumni auction on Saturday, January 24th in the high school gym. The silent auction and lunch will begin at 11:30 am with the live auction beginning at 1pm.