(Undated-jm) – Cold weather and snow is forcing schools to either go to e-learning today or closing, even colleges and universities. The University of Illinois is encouraging classes and staff work remote. Parkland College and Danville Area Community College both announced they are closed today. PBL, GCMS, St. Joe, Armstrong Potomac, Giffford Grade, Iroquois West, Ludlow Grade, Mahomet Seymour, Milford, Rantoul Township High School, Thomasboro Grade are all e learning today.

 

(Illinois–jc) Another Archdiocese of Chicago school has cited the end of Illinois’ Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program as a reason for closing at the end of the current school year. The announcement by St. Jerome Catholic School last week follows a similar message from St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy earlier this month. Pastors from both communities said government scholarships taken from Catholic schools were a factor in the closings. Illinois’ scholarship tax credit program expired in December of  2023.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Around 250 people attended a Republican party free meet and greet event on Saturday in Paxton. Republican candidate for U. S Senate, Don Tracy says the state of Illinois needs a common sense voice in the nation’s capitol…

   

Republican U S Senate candidate Don Tracy of Springfield 

 

Republican candidate for Illinois Secretary of State, Diane Harris of Joliet was in attendance and says under her guidance, the D-M-V offices will be more accessible…

 

Illinois Secretary of State Candidate, Republican Diane Harris of Joliet

 The Ford County event on Saturday hosted over a dozen candidates for the Republican party for Governor, U S Senate, State offices to local Ford County candidates.  The Illinois Primary is Tuesday March 17th.

 

 

(Illilnois–jc)  The Illinois Department of Employment Security has announced that state’s unemployment rate was 4.6% in December, up 0.2 from November and down 0.3 from the same month one year ago. Total nonfarm payrolls increased 0.2% in December, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

(Illinois–jc)  The Illinois Department of Revenue says it will begin accepting 2026 individual income tax returns today, the same day the Internal Revenue Service opens the federal filing season. The revenue department says people who file accurate returns electronically and select direct deposit typically receive their refunds in about four weeks. The deadline to file Illinois returns is April 15.

 

(Springfield–jc)  State legislators are back in Springfield this week and the spring session runs until May. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emington says it's time to balance a “real” budget…

   

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington

 

(Rural Gilman-jm) - A Piper City man has died in a single vehicle accident in Iroquois County. The accident happened Saturday on 1800 north near 300 East just west of Gilman. 54 year old Steven Lee of Piper City was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a single vehicle accident Sunday. They were called to the northbound lanes of I–57 near mile marker 264. 

 

(USDA–dm)-How might overwintering crops and livestocks be affected by the snows, winds, and bitter cold of this week's weather system crossing the Southern half of the nation? Rod Bain has the story

   

(Watseka-jm) – Early voting for voters in Iroquois County will begin in February. The Iroquois County Clerk's office will be open for early voting for the primary starting February 5th and going through March 16th from 8:30-4:30. There will also be early voting on Saturday, March 14th from 8:30-noon. County offices will be closed Thursday, February 12th and Monday, February 16th. Early voting at the county clerk’s office will serve all 37 precincts.

 

(Ogden–jc)  A rollover accident along Interstate 74 in western Vermilion county slowed traffic on Saturday morning. The accident happened near mile marker 199 near Ogden just after 7am Saturday. Traffic was rerouted to Route 150 for several hours. No injuries were reported.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are weighing legislation that would require public schools to share all evidence used to suspend or expel a student with that student’s parents or guardians before a disciplinary hearing. Senate Bill 2876, sponsored by Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, addresses what she calls a growing problem of parents being denied access to evidence used in disciplining their children. Bryant said the issue came to her attention after learning that several grade school students had been suspended based on video evidence that their parents were not allowed to see.

 

(Mahomet–jm) – An RV in Mahomet was destroyed by fire. The Cornbelt Fire Department was called to the Tin Cup RV Park for a vehicle on fire near a structure. The person living inside the RV was not there when the fire started.

(Paxton–dm)-With the sub-freezing weather we have had the last few days, it’s possible you could have some frozen water pipes at your house. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott has some tips to thaw those water pipes out.

   

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen.  You can hear more from Scott on Saturday mornings at 730 on Scott’s Tips for Success.

 

(Champaign–jm) — The Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District is receiving $850,000 to buy two parcels of land next to the Illinois terminal to help with their expansion. The parking lots will become full garages among other changes with the expansion.

 

(Champaign–dm)-You hear about being “over the hill” at 40. Doctors say turning 50 is an equally important health milestone. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has a checklist...for when you hit a half-century.

   

And as usual, moderation is key for everything you do. So if you drink or smoke, 

make a plan to cut back or quit.

 

(Ford County-jm) – The Illinois Sheriff’s Association along with Ford County Sheriff Chad Johnson will be awarding a $500 scholarship. The scholarship is open to any student wishing to pursue higher education during the 2026-2027 academic year. The student must be enrolled full time at a certified institution of higher learning. Applications are available at the Ford County Sheriff’s Office in Paxton. Applications are due by March 13th.

WPXN News notes…

 

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.

 

The Hoopeston Area FFA will hold their alumni scholarship auction on Saturday, January 31st at The Legion. Silent auction starts at 4, dinner will be served at 4:30 and the live auction begins at 6.

 

The St. Mary’s St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus will hold their annual free throw contest on Sunday, February 1st at PBL High School. Doors open at noon with the competition beginning at 12:30. All kids ages 9-14 are invited to participate. More information is available by calling Trent Eshleman at 217-841-5621.