(Springfield-jm) – Abortion policy remains one of the most divisive issues in the country. Here in Illinois, abortion is legal, and advocates say the state is one of the few places people from surrounding states can go to receive care.The Illinois Reproductive Act of 2019 says people have the fundamental right to reproductive health, including birth control and abortion. The ACLU says about 35,000 people came from out of state to access abortion care in Illinois. That represents 39% of all of the abortions that were provided by Illinois providers.
(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois lawmaker wants to make sure the state and businesses aren’t missing out on extra revenue from a growing entertainment betting industry. A new bill, Senate Bill 2667, introduced by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz would open up sportsbooks to bets on shows like the Grammy’s or the Academy Awards. She said open wagering on entertainment also encourages people to turn awards season into social outings. This could open up new opportunities for neighborhood bars and restaurants.
(Illinois–jc) The recent winter storm and cold temperatures raised the political temperatures over the past several days with one question: Can renewables be trusted to keep the heat on? Dean Abbott reports…
(Momence-jm) – An Indiana man has been arrested in connection to a murder in Momence. 47 year old Julius Burkes Junior was arrested at his home in Hammond, Indiana yesterday. Burkes Junior is accused of shooting Courtney Drysdale at The Line Bar on February 2nd. Drysdale is the owner of the bar. Police say Drysdale was shot during a robbery at the establishment.
(Champaign-jm) – A Guatemalan national living in Champaign was sentenced to 14 months in prison after failing to update his registration as a sex offender and for illegally reentering the United States. According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, 24-year-old Roberto Nicolas-Simon will serve his sentence concurrently. During the sentencing hearing, evidence presented in court indicated that Nicolas-Simon was living in the U.S. illegally when he was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Champaign County. Nicolas-Simon previously pleaded guilty in September 2025. He faced up to 10 years of imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine for each offense.
(Paxton–jc) Tax time is here and there are some new laws on the books that can save taxpayers money. One is a new law on overtime pay in 20-25 payable in 20-26. Shaffer Tax and Accounting owner Jeff Shaffer says the overtime portion is the amount with “no tax”...
Shaffer Tax and Accounting Owner Jeff Shaffer
(Paxton–jc) –The Ford County Republicans are hosting a breakfast for residents to
hear Ford County Sheriff Chad Johnson talk about law enforcement challenges and
opportunities in Ford County and across central Illinois. The breakfast is set for Saturday February 21st at 8-15am at the Arcade Restaurant in Paxton
(Newman–jc) – Longview Capital Corporation announced the election of Sara Mikuta to its Board of Directors. She will serve as chair of the audit committee.
Mikuta has more than 40 years of experience in accounting and finance. Her background includes positions as audit manager at Arthur Andersen, controller at Oak Brook Bank, and Chief Financial Officer at both The Leaders Bank and Pinnacle Banc Group. She previously served as president of the Illinois CPA Society and held several leadership roles
(Paxton–jc) the Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Toy Show is set for Saturday February 14th at the high school in Paxton. Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Spokesperson Rowan Caposieno says the event is free to attend and there are a lot of activities…
Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Spokesperson Rowan Caposieno.
(The Center Square) – Congresswoman Mary Miller, Republican from Oakland, slammed the Illinois State Board of Elections on Monday for what she called a “dereliction of duty” in maintaining accurate voter rolls, criticizing the board’s decision to delay its response to a congressional inquiry until Feb. 12.
Miller says that Illinois continues to refuse to mandate voter I-D, a commonsense election integrity measure. The State also insists on counting mail-in ballots received long after election day, a controversial practice that is subject to ongoing litigation, The Illinois Primary election is March 17th.
(Illinois–jc) –The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence nonprofit group is collaborating with Ring, an Amazon company, to distribute Ring X Line devices and subscriptions to domestic violence survivors. During fiscal year 2026, the Illinois Attorney General’s office has approved more than 5.5 million dollars in grant funds for 78 agencies across the state that provide services to domestic violence survivors. Those needing assistance can contact the attorney general’s violence prevention and crime victim services division online or by calling (800) 228-3368.
(Springfield-jm) – A newly introduced bill in Springfield could change the way Illinois residents handle everything from backyard fire pits to fall leaf burning. House Bill 4459 would require anyone conducting an open burn, including recreational campfires, to obtain a permit and pay a fee of up to $5, with the money going directly to local fire protection services. The bill also introduces significant penalties of up to $100,000 for conducting an open burn without a local permit and up to $500,000 for burning on a designated no burn day without a permit.
(Springfield-jm) - Governor JB Pritzker donated $5 million in December to a political action committee supporting Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton’s U.S. Senate bid, according to federal campaign finance records filed over the weekend. Illinois’ billionaire governor had long been expected to use his hefty financial weight to bolster his No. 2, whom he endorsed in the Democratic primary to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. It comes as Stratton’s own direct fundraising continues to lag polling leader, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, with just six weeks until the primary and early voting kicking off on Feb. 5.
(Springfield–jc) 89th District state Representative andIllinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie Republican from-Savanna is pushing for greater transparency in state government this year. Mccombie filed legislation to ensure that legislative proceedings are available to the public, including audio and video recordings of all committee hearings in the General Assembly…
89th District state Representative andIllinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie Republican from-Savanna. The measure would make documents open to the public for at least 30 days.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is warning the community of a recently reported telephone scam of a person impersonating an officer. In a Facebook post, the department said on Tuesday, a Champaign resident reported receiving phone calls from a person claiming to be a Champaign Police officer. The caller told the resident about a previously unknown warrant and demanded immediate payment to avoid arrest. Champaign Police said this was not the case, and said the call was actually an attempted scam.
(Gibson City-jm) – Could Gibson City be getting a new hotel? The city is looking into whether another hotel should be built in the western Ford County community says Mayor Dan Dickey…
Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.
(Champaign–jc) – Champaign Crimestoppers are seeking information about a shooting with injuries in Champaign on Monday afternoon. Police were called to the 1300 block of Honeysuckle Lane in Champaign following a report of a shooting with injuries. Officers responding to the area quickly located a 26-year-old Champaign woman who had been driving when an unknown subject or subjects opened fire, striking her vehicle multiple times. The woman suffered a minor injury. She was evaluated on scene by medical staff related to that injury. Those responsible for the gunfire fled the area before officers could arrive. Along with the woman’s injury and her vehicle, damage has also been located to a residence in the area. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 217-373-8477
(St Joseph–jc) – A St Joseph woman was injured in a car versus pedestrian accident Tuesday morning in the Champaign county town.Police were called to the village just before 6am. The woman was taken to a local hospital with serious, but non life threatenting injuries.
(Springfield–jc) –The Employment Policies Institute is taking issue with federal minimum wage proposals from Democratic U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois.
The research group’s analysis says minimum wage increases to 17 and 25 dollars per hour would cost more than 21 thousand jobs in Illinois and up to 1point 2 million positions nationwide. Ten Democrats and six Republicans are seeking the seat currently held by Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who is not seeking reelection.
(St Joseph–jc) – The St Joe Ogden FFA Chapter is hosting their annual silent auction and dinner on Saturday at the high school. St Joe Ogden F F A President Delaney Nekolny says the auction is the major fundraiser for the group…
St Joe Ogden F F A Chapter President Delaney Nekolny. The doors open at 4 on Saturday at the high school. A complete list of items on the auction is available on line
(Ottawa–jc) – 76th District State representative . Amy “Murri” Briel, Democrat from Ottawa, has introduced legislation that would restrict the use of artificial intelligence when determining a patient’s priority in a hospital emergency room. Briel says House Bill 4233 follows recently-announced plans by OSF Healthcare to integrate A-I for predicting patient diagnoses and treatments. The measure would limit hospital emergency departments from using health care kiosks or digital check-ins for determining a patient’s medical state to select their place in line for emergency treatment.
WPXN News notes…
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, February 6th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
CU at Home will hold their One Winter Night to raise awareness about homelessness on Friday, February 6th starting at 5:30pm.
Parkland College’s Staerkel Planetarium will hold their Kaler Lecture Series on Friday, February 6th at 7pm with University of Illinois Entomology Professor Alexandra Harmon-Threatt presenting “Conserving Native Bees in Uncertain Times”. Cost is $2.
The 13th annual Milford FFA Alumni Scholarship Auction will take place on Saturday, February 7th at Milford Town and Country Events. Doors open at 11 am, lunch is served at noon with the auction starting at 1pm.
