(Springfield-jm) – Illinois continued to lose more residents to other states than it gained in the most recent year measured by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey showed about 282,00 people moved out of Illinois to another state, with roughly 200,300 people moving to Illinois, resulting in a net loss of about 82,000 residents. The data tracks where people lived one year earlier, and does not include international immigration. Illinois’ biggest population losses were to Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, and Iowa. More than 25,700 residents moved to Indiana in the past year, compared to about 14,100 Hoosiers who moved to Illinois. A similar pattern was observed in Wisconsin, as nearly 24,000 Illinois residents headed north, but only 14,100 Wisconsinites moved south. Outside of the Midwest, Florida and Texas remain major landing spots for Illinois residents.
(Chicago Heights–jc) Illinois State Police special agents have arrested a Chicago Heights man in connection with a stolen-vehicle crash on Interstate 57 last year.
Demitreaun Ross, 20, is charged with reckless homicide, failure to report a crash resulting in death, and criminal trespass to a motor vehicle.
State Police say they identified Ross as the driver of a stolen vehicle involved in a two-vehicle collision on I-57 Three people were ejected from the other vehicle, including one who died.
(Paxton–jc) Several gubernatorial candidates were in Paxton on Saturday at a free meet the candidates event. One candidate for the Republican nomination for governor is Dupage County Sheriff James Mendrick. Mendrick provides some insight into his background and policies for a “safe” Illinois…
Republican Candidate for Illinois Governor in the March Primary. DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick from Woodridge.
(Watseka-jm) – A Watseka woman has been sentenced to prison for possessing meth. 32-year-old Kristin Kirby was sentenced to four years in prison after her guilty plea to Possession of Methamphetamine - with intent to deliver. Watseka Police say Kirby made the sale to a third party. Upon investigation, with a search warrant, police officials found meth at her home.
(Paxton–jc) – City of Paxton employees continue to do maintenance work during the winter months at the waste water plant. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold provides information on the completed work…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Paxton–jc) Filing for taxes officially began on Monday. One new deduction is money on social security. It’s a help for senior citizens says Shaffer Tax and Accounting Owner Jeff Shaffer…
Shaffer Tax and Accounting Owner Jeff Shaffer
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Monday awarded more than 17 million dollars in funding to 39 program recipients, serving up to nearly 2,000 community members statewide, to expand the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The program creates a qualified talent pipeline of diverse candidates in the construction and building trades. Among the grants include 550 thousand dollars to Danville Area Community College and Lewis University in Joliet. Y-B-M-C in Normal received 350 thousand dollars in state funds.
(Champaign–jc) –The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a ten-unit multi-family apartment building in the 500 block of W White Street on Monday afternoon. Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
Firefighters responded to a report from a neighbor of a fire in this two-story building. Once on the scene, crews found smoke coming from a first-floor apartment. Firefighters worked to extinguish this fire using a single hose line.
The cause of this fire has not been determined No injuries were reported
(Kankakee–jc) Clove Alliance, a not for profit group that serves survivors and families of sexual abuse in Kankakee Ford and Iroquois Counties is looking for volunteer help. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(The Center Square) – A proposal for a state constitutional amendment to impose a millionaire’s tax has been referred to the Illinois House Rules Committee, but only half the revenues generated by the measure would be directed to property tax relief.
House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 21 was referred to the committee earlier after being filed by State Representative Natalie Manley, Democrat from -Joliet, last October. The measure would impose a 3% tax on any individual's net income that is greater than $1 million for the taxable year. Half would go for property tax relief, and the other half would go to school districts on a per-pupil basis. The Chicago Teachers Union and Illinois Federation of Teachers have pushed for state-level “Tax the Rich” policies
(Paxton–jc) Several gubernatorial candidates were in Ford County over the weekend at a meet and greet event. Republican candidate for Governor Ted Dabrowski provides a background on himself…
Republican Candidate for Illinois Governor Ted Dabrowski of Wilmette
(Ford County-jm) – A Ford County judge imposed a 20-year prison term on a man for Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine. In Court, prosecutors said that 64-year-old Allen Burgin of Urbana was part of a "major drug distribution ring" in Ford County. Burgin pleaded guilty. . Burgin was among four defendants facing meth charges from early 2025 in a controlled-buy case at a Gibson City park. A co-defendant, 58-year-old Angela Rutledge of Roberts, also pleaded guilty. She received an 11-year-old prison term last month.
(Gibson City–jc) The primary Spring election is set for Tuesday March 17th in the state of Illinois. Former state senator Tom Bennett, a Republican from Gibson City says one major challenge for the minority Republican party in Illinois is to get a "fair map” for elections. The percentage of Democrats in the state is 52 percent and the percent for Republicans is 46 percent. Yet the democrats hold all 8 state offices and have a super majority in seats in Springfield. Bennett says informing the republican base to get out and vote is one major challenge for Republicans in March…
Former State Senator Tom Bennett, Republican from Gibson City. The March primary election is set for March 17th.
(Illinois–jc) Commercial trucking firms based in Illinois can now renew their federal registration credentials online. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office says companies with fewer than 250 vehicles can complete International Registration Plan renewals by uploading their I-R-S-issued Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 and submitting payment electronically. More information about these renewals is available on-line.?
(Washington–jc) Several assistance options are available through the U-S-D-A for farmers and ranchers impacted by Winter Storm Fern. Rod Bain reports…
(Champaign–jc) –The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a 12-unit multi-family apartment building in the 2400 block of High View Court Monday morning just after 10. Fire crews from both the Champaign and Urbana Fire Departments worked to extinguish this fire. Firefighters responded to a report of a fire in this three-story apartment building. Once on scene, heavy smoke was coming from a second-floor apartment. Multiple hose lines were extended to fight this fire. As fire crews worked to extinguish the fire, a second alarm was called.
The cause of this fire is not determined as investigators remain on scene conducting their investigation. One occupant was treated on scene and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. There were no firefighter injuries reported.
(Undated–jc) Tax season has officially begun. The Certified Public Accountants Society has some tips to make it “frustration free.” WPXN’s Joel Cluver reports…
WPXN News notes…
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.
The 2026 Illinois Agriculture Summit will take place on Tuesday, February 3rd starting at 10 am at the I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign.
CU at Home will hold their One Winter Night to raise awareness about homelessness on Friday, February 6th starting at 5:30pm.
