(Washington-jm) – In his final year in office. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin will try once again to pass his Credit Card Competition Act bill. The bill will help small businesses by creating more competition in the credit card industry and bringing down swipe fees. Swipe fees are added to purchases by the major credit card companies. Small businesses must absorb the cost or pass it on to consumers. The fees generally amount to 3-4% of the total bill.
(Kankakee-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public health officials has confirmed a case of Legionnaires’ disease at the state-run Shapiro Developmental Center in Kankakee. Capitol News Illinois learned of the case and it was confirmed Tuesday. In a joint statement from IDPH and the Illinois Department of Human Services, the agencies confirmed a single case at Shapiro Center — home to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
(Springfield–jc) A new energy law passed by the majority democrats in Springfield and signed into law by Illinois Governor J B Pritzker continues to receive push back by Republicans across the state. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet, says the new law takes away “local” control…
51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet.
(Urbana-jm) – The 19-year-old who was arrested for a deadly shooting in Urbana pleaded not guilty to the charges he is facing on Tuesday. 19-year-old Charles Lake appeared in court for arraignment, facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated battery. Lake requested a trial by jury.
(Champaign-jm) — Authorities in Champaign are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a female suspect involved in a retail theft at Walmart on December 21. Around 11 p.m., the woman entered the store on North Prospect Ave. and left with a cart full of unpaid merchandise, including expensive steaks, clothing, and household items. The stolen goods are valued at over $600. The suspect, described as a medium build white female with a linear birthmark or scar on her face, was last seen wearing a brown hat, brown Carhartt coat, black leggings, and brown boots. She fled in a dark gray or black Jeep with two male accomplices.
(Paxton–jc) A city of Paxton owned property at 404 South Market is being sold through a realtor. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the city went through a proper process and the next step is listing with a realtor…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
Springfield, Ill- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed Monday, January 19, through Sunday, January 25th, , as Community Risk Reduction Week in Illinois. C-R-R is a data-driven process to identify and prioritize local risks, followed by the integrated and strategic investment of resources (emergency response and prevention) to reduce their occurrence and impact. According to c-r-r-week-dot-org, every 23 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation. In 2024, 75% of all fire deaths occurred in the home and home fires were responsible for 8,920 civilian injuries, with multibillion dollars in property damage. EMS calls continue to be around 70% of the reason for response from fire departments across Illinois, and nationally the fire service responds to a growing number of medical calls for service, surpassing 90% of total call volume in some communities.
(Urbana-jm) – Common Ground Food Co-Op is a food cooperative owned by more than 14,000 households in the community. By investing $60, you can become a part-owner of Common Ground. As an owner, new opportunities include 10% off groceries, extra discounts on specially discounted items, the ability to run and vote for the executive board and the ability to nominate non-profits for the Co-Op to fund. However, you do not need to be an owner to shop there. The Co-Op is focused on supporting local farmers while providing fresh, locally-grown food to customers.
(Watseka–jc) There is less than a month to register or change registration to vote in the March Illinois Primary. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law will increase opportunities to inform parents about the state's early intervention program. Sponsors say the law will ensure NICU babies have early access to these critical services. The Illinois Department of Human Services' early intervention program helps children with disabilities or developmental delays up to age three learn and grow. Youth in the program are evaluated for movement, learning and behavior among other areas, but many families are unaware they are eligible for these services. The new law states hospitals must sign a letter referring babies to early intervention services if the child is born weighing less than 2.2 pounds. The state currently runs a public awareness program focused on early identification of eligible infants and toddlers. However, this law expands the scope of the program to include infants who automatically qualify for early intervention services.
(Springfield-jm) – This past fall the controversial SAFE-T Act was once again thrust back into the spotlight after a man set a woman on fire on a Chicago train. The man behind that attack had 70 prior arrests. Republicans have pointed to it as an example of why the law needs to go. But Democrat leaders maintain the SAFE-T Act works. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch pointed to falling crime rates in Chicago, in particular the city seeing its lowest number of murders since 1965, as a sign the SAFE-T Act works. Chicago has also seen numbers of other violent crimes like shootings and robberies drop in recent years. But in McHenry County up north, officials conducted their own study on the SAFE-T Act. That study found there was a 30% increase in crime and a 280% increase in failure to appear rates after implementing the SAFE-T Act. Now, a new bill is looking to adjust the SAFE-T Act and widen the net for judges when it comes to detaining suspects. Under HB4275, all felonies, not just violent ones, would be eligible for pre-trial detainment.
(Washington–jc) What is the outlook for beef production and prices? World Outlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski says some production will be trending upward and prices are also headed upward…
World Outlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski
(Melvin-jm) — Steve Meenen, Melvin, was re-elected president of the Ford County Fair board at their annual meeting. Other officers re-elected include Dallas Meyer, Thawville, vice-president; Mitchell Meenen, Melvin, secretary; and Theresa Rueck, Roberts, treasurer. Re-elected to the board were Steve Meenen, Dallas Meyer, Micah Luebchow, Paxton and Wade Rueck, Roberts. Brynn Boundy, Melvin, was re-elected for a one-year term as a junior director. Additional board members include Seth McCall, Gibson City; Kirk Miller, Spencer Meenen and Tim Muehlenpfort, Melvin; Ian Holben, Paxton; and Dave Kaeding, Loda. The board continued to finalize plans for this year’s cash bash, Saturday, March 7 at the Roberts Gym. Tickets can be purchased from any of the board members. This year’s fair is scheduled for June 13-20. The annual concert will kick off the first day of fair events this year with the headliner to be announced on February 10.
(Vermilion County-jm) — The Vermilion County Farm Bureau is hosting an Estate Tax Planning session on Tuesday, February 10th. It will begin at 6:00 pm in the Farm Bureau Auditorium, 1905-C US Route 150, Danville. Guests presenters are Maggie Wienke, a Certified Financial Planner with COUNTRY Financial, and Russ Leigh, owner of Russell Leigh & Associates accounting firm. They will discuss various factors that determine the estate value, methods for protecting an estate, and reviewing financial and tax implications associated with estate planning. Currently, the estate tax limit in Illinois is $4 million, with the tax computed on the entire value of the estate if you exceed that threshold. Illinois Farm Bureau has worked to pass the Family Farm Preservation Act the last two years, which would raise the estate tax exemption to $6 million, and have it be a true threshold, with only the amount over the limit being taxed.
(Gordyville–jc) The venue is the Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville USA near Gifford. The two day event begins at 8-30 on today and Thursday. It’s free to attend and free parking too. Also the help kick off the event is a free Pancake breakfast says Midwest Ag Expo, Director of Shows, Jami Applegate…
Midwest Ag Expo Director of Shows Jami Applegate. The free breakfast runs from 8am to 10-30am in the concession area north of the show floor.
(Champaign–jc) A school building in Urbana was struck by gunfire Tuesday morning just before 10. The incident occurred at Booker T. Washington STEAM Academy, in Urbana. The school was placed on lockdown. Urbana police said additional patrols around the school were present. Urbana, Champaign and University police were on the scene.
(The Center Square) – No injuries have been reported after the U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 3.8 earthquake near the Montgomery County town of Ohlman, on Tuesday morning. In updating our story from yesterday, people reported feeling the quake in St. Louis, Springfield and other cities in central and southern Illinois. There were no immediate reports of damage.
WPXN News notes…
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 Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich supper on Friday, January 23rd from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, January 24th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.
The Gibson Area Food Pantry at the Hospital will hold a food distribution on Saturday, January 24th from 8 to noon.
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.
The Ford County Republicans will host a meet and greet for voters on Saturday, January 24th from 1-3 pm at Pueblo Lindo in Paxton. The event is free to attend.
