(Springfield-jm) – The Pritzker administration announced Thursday that it will reserve $482 million from the current state budget to address the impacts of President Donald Trump's policies. This comes months after Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order telling state agencies to find areas to trim funding. Pritzker told reporters in June that he was worried about the fiscal outlook for every state as Congress prepared to vote on the Big Beautiful Bill. The Democrat told his state agencies to conduct immediate budget reviews to identify efficiencies and reductions in September to help combat potential economic disasters coming from the White House. Over $360 million will be reserved from healthcare and human services, with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services noting that it doesn't need to transfer $200 million to the healthcare provider relief fund. The Illinois Department of Human Services is cutting $119 million from its budget due to reductions in operational expenses and grants. The administration is reserving $50 million from state employee health insurance funding and $30 million will not be sent to public universities and community colleges. $22 million reserved from the state's public safety agencies is also being held.
The Center Square) – Statehouse Republicans say it is time for Illinois Democrats to focus on growing the tax base instead of raising taxes. Along with state Reps. Amy Elik, R-Alton, and Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, held a press conference at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday. Elik said Illinois is in trouble because of poor decisions by those in power at the state level. Elik also said Democratic Party policies are driving residents to find lower taxes and greater opportunities out of state.
Illinois Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is continuing to investigate the report of a road rage incident from Thursday morning in which a gun was allegedly flashed. Champaign Police said officers were dispatched to the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Town Center Boulevard at 9:24 a.m. following a report of a road rage incident where the reporting party alleged that a firearm was brandished in traffic. Officers then began to search for the involved vehicle, locating it at 9:43 a.m. in the 1400 block of South Dunlap Avenue in Savoy. A traffic stop was conducted. Champaign Police said the driver of this vehicle was interviewed as part of the stop and offered a conflicting account of the events that allegedly occurred. The vehicle was then searched with the driver’s consent, and no weapons were located. Additionally, no arrests have been made at this time, and this remains an ongoing investigation.
(Paxton–jc) – City of Paxton leaders are re-working a redevelopment agreement for one downtown business in the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the city has a new agreement with Skaggs Properties…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Loda-jm) — E.R.H. Enterprises, Inc. has announced the Boil Order for the village of Loda is now lifted. The order was issued Tuesday evening when the water pressure at the community water plant dropped.
(Ford County–dm)-Bitter cold weather is taking over the WPXN listening area. With wind chill temperatures at 15 to 30 degrees below zero and actual air temperatures barely above zero A Cold weather advisory is in effect. The Ford County EMA has some warming centers open in the county. Ford County EMA Coordinator Terry Whitebird tells where you can go to get warm.
Ford County EMA Coordinator Terry Whitebird. If you have questions you can call 217 -781-1898 or 815-644-1410
(Champaign–jc) – – To show appreciation and lift the spirits of local seniors, 52nd district State Senator Paul Faraci of Champaign is collecting cards for residents in long-term care facilities for Valentine’s Day. Faraci is encouraging residents to provide handmade or store-bought cards to help bring joy to older adults living in various senior facilities across the 52nd District. Children are also encouraged to participate. Cards can be mailed or delivered now through February 11th at Faraci’s Champaign or Danville office.
(Springfield-jm) – A bill recently introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives would establish a new program to help motorists on the autism spectrum. House Bill 4472, introduced by Representative Michelle Mussman, would establish the Blue Envelope Program under the supervision of the Secretary of State’s Office. Named after the envelopes people on the spectrum may use to hold documents required for operating a motor vehicle, the bill would amend the Secretary of State Act. Information on the envelope would include written information that identifies the holder as having been diagnosed, written guidance to assist law enforcement officers in effectively communicating with individuals they encounter and emergency contact information.
(Springfield–jc) The Democrat lead Illinois House of Representatives approved a number of anti-Trump resolutions this week. One of those was House Resolution 6-21 which condemns President Donald Trump's effort to freeze funds for affordable childcare. The measure calls for the immediate release of all congressionally appropriated childcare funds. 88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur voted against the measure and rose to encourage a no vote….
88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Hoopeston man is facing child sex crime charges. 38 year old James Allen Junior is charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault after Hoopeston police investigated a sexual assault of a child. He was taken to the Vermilion County Jail.
(Paxton–jc) Tax time is here and there are many changes in potential deductions for tax payers. Shaffer Tax and Accounting Owner Jeff Shaffer says one new deduction is a tax savings on a new car purchased in 20-25…
Shaffer Tax and Accounting Owner Jeff Shaffer. Electronic filing for taxes begins on Monday January 26th.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Parkland College Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Shapland Student Commons at their monthly meeting this week
The south end of the college’s Student Union will be renamed thanks to a generous One Million dollar gift to the Parkland College Foundation in honor of the late community member and business leader George T. Shapland.
(Washington-jm) – U.S. Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois is urging Congressional Republicans to pass nationwide, year-round E-15 in a three-bill funding package. In 2024, Republicans backed out of a bipartisan deal, pulling E-15 out of the year-end funding bill. Representative Kelly is a cosponsor of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would require year-round sales of E15. Her district covers urban, suburban, and rural areas with over 4,500 farms.
WPXN News Notes
The Gibson Area Food Pantry at the Hospital will hold a food distribution on Saturday, January 24th from 8 to noon.
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.
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. All four Republican gubernatorial candidates are scheduled to be there. Darren Bailey, Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner and James Mendrick are competing in the March 17 primary election for the chance to challenge Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November.
St. Malachy’s Catholic School in Rantoul will hold their annual Joes Fried Chicken Dinner on Sunday, January 25th from 11-3 at the Rantoul Knights of Columbus. The dinner includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, green beans, dinner roll and dessert. Cost is a free will donation. There will also be a 50/50 drawing at the end of the event.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a food distribution on Tuesday, January 28th at Christman Park in Rossville from 9:30-10:30 am and Ward Park in Ridge Farm from 11:30-1:30.
The Loda United Methodist Church will have a free concert with Eric Gordon and Friends on Saturday January 31st at 4pm. A potluck will follow the concert.
