(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is suing the Trump Administration over public health funding cuts the state says is based on disagreements with the state’s policies. Attorney General Kwame Raoul made the announcement after the Office of Management and Budget directed more than $100 million of public health grants from the CDC to be cut from Illinois, funding already allocated by Congress and used for funding local health departments, HIV prevention and monitoring, chronic disease surveys and more.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The city of Paxton is re-purposing one vehicle from the police department to the ERS department and will be selling an older SUV. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says it was a good way to save some money and get more use of taxpayer dollars…

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Sibley-jm) – Firefighters from multiple departments battled a field fire on the northeast side of Sibley Thursday afternoon. Firefighters were called just before 3pm for the fire. Firefighters from Gibson City, Melvin and Roberts assisted Sibley in fighting the fire.

 

(USDA–dm)-Secretaries for the Agriculture and Health and Human Services Departments Wednesday provided an update on implementation progress for the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Rod Bain has the story

   

(Urbana-jm) – A Champaign woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for driving under the influence that caused a crash in Urbana that killed a two month old back in 2025. Kartila Brooks received the sentence in Champaign County court after pleading guilty in November to aggravated DUI causing death. Brooks received the maximum sentence allowed. In exchange for her plea, three counts of aggravated DUI causing bodily harm were dismissed.

 

(Buckley–dm)-St, John’s Lutheran School is hosting their annual Chicken Dinner, Carnival and Auction this Sunday February 15th.  St. John’s Chicken Dinner Co-Chair Spokesperson Kennedy Glazick tells us about the day’s activities.

   

St. John’s Chicken Dinner Co-Chair Spokesperson Kennedy Glazick

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Energy is offering $7 million in grant funding to strengthen energy resilience at publicly-owned wastewater treatment plants. Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure grants provide funding to assess energy vulnerabilities and implement solar energy systems paired with battery storage. Individual awards range from $200,000 to $2 million with a match requirement of 25% or 50% based on population served and geographic location.

 

(Springfield–dm)-Tickets go on sale today for two acts scheduled to perform at the Illinois State Fair. Country performer and Illinois native Bailey Zimmerman is slated to play at the fair on Ag Day, Aug. 14. Matchbox Twenty is scheduled to perform Aug. 16. Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, starting at 10 a.m.

 

(Chicago-jm) – A first in the nation law that would prohibit banks and credit card companies from charging swipe fees on tips and taxes survived a major hurdle in court this week but opponents vow it will not be the last challenge. Financial institutions including the Illinois Bankers Association and Illinois Credit Union League filed a lawsuit against the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act in late 2024, arguing it would create an overly complex and burdensome payments system for debit and credit card purchases. However Tuesday, a U-S District Judge upheld the law, creating a tight timeframe for Illinois businesses to set up processes for compliance ahead of the July 1st deadline.

 

(St Joseph–jc)  –  One area high school is honoring one of its state champions on Friday. Officials with St Joe Ogden High School will honor the 20-16 IHSA Boys basketball State Championship team. St Joe Ogden Assistant Principal-Activities Director Justin Franzen says a short ceremony is set between games on Friday night at the high school…

 

 

St Joe Ogden Assistant Principal-Activities Director Justin Franzen

 

(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Public Health Department is pushing to increase the number of NARCAN kits around the area. NARCAN is a nasal spray that reverses the impacts of opioid use. So far one kit has been placed in Gibson City with another one coming soon. According to the health department, there were three confirmed overdoses in a county of just over 13,000 people.

 

(Paxton–dm)-The Paxton Buckley Loda FFA will hold their annual FFA toy show this Saturday February 14th at the PBL high school.  Paxton Buckley Loda FFA Toy Show Spokesperson Rowan Capasieno tells us about other activities going on besides the toy show.

 

Paxton Buckley Loda FFA Toy Show Spokesperson RowanCapasieno .  The toy show runs from 9:00am till 230

 

(Decatur–jm) – Officials say a bomb threat at ADM’s Bioproducts facility in Decatur was deemed not credible. ADM says just before 10 am the bioproducts facility received a threatening statement. Law enforcement was notified and the building evacuated. Officials determined there was no credible threat or danger to employees and normal operations resumed.

 

Springfield–jc) A new grocery bag tax is making its way through Springfield. This is an update from yesterday.  Dean Abbott reports…

 

 

(Illinois–dm)-Financial institutions that process five or more liens annually will be required to transition to electronic lien and titling by July 1. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said that under ELT, lien and title records are transmitted directly to his office and maintained electronically until the lien is satisfied The secretary said banks, credit unions and dealers can instantly release the title when a loan is paid off, reducing costs and saving time.

(Loda–jc)  One area restaurant  is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend.

Murdocks in Loda is celebrating with a menu favorite tonight and Saturday. On Saturday it’s the Ridgeland band. Owner Brent “Murdock” Sinn says the business is one where friends meet and people have a great time…

 

 

Murdocks of Loda Owner Brent “Murdock” Sinn

 

WPXN News notes…

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Rantoul City Schools Central Office on Friday, February 13th from 11-4.

 

The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Night Dinner on Friday, February 13th from 4:30-7:30pm.

 

The Thawville American Legion will hold their all you can eat fish fry on Friday, February 13th from 4:30-7pm. Cost is $15.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, February 13th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.

 

The Upper Room Bible Church in Paxton will host a free concert featuring Love and The Outcome on Friday, February 13th at 7pm. 

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will hold Country Line Dancing with DJ Maggie B on Friday, February 13th at 8pm.

 

The Rankin Fire Department will hold their 31st annual Fireman’s Pancake and Sausage Breakfast on Saturday, February 14th from 6-1. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 for kids, children under 6 are free.