(Springfield-jm) – The Clean Jobs Coalition presented new legislation last week aimed at regulating data centers in Illinois. The goal of the POWER Act is minimizing the impact of data centers on utility costs for consumers. It will require data centers to pay for their own electrical infrastructure. Facilities will be required to report the amount of water they plan to use and the amount they’re actually using. Those numbers would need to be approved by several agencies first before a data center gets a zoning permit. If passed, the act would also restrict data centers from using non-disclosure agreements to prevent public officials from sharing information about them.
(The Center Square) – One year after a federal jury convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and use of a facility to promote unlawful activity, a defense attorney who worked on the case says public corruption trials are worth the taxpayer expense. After a trial lasting more than four months, jurors delivered the guilty verdicts on 10 of 23 total counts Feb. 12, 2025. Attorney John Mitchell, a former prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Illinois, represented Madigan’s codefendant, Michael McClain, who was not convicted in the case.Mitchell said it is worth the time and taxpayer expense go after public corruption, even though he felt the government’s allegations against McClain were wrong.
Attorney John Mitchell
(Milford-jm) – A man from Milford was arrested after the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office said he was behind a shots-fired incident that happened earlier this month. The Sheriff’s Office included the incident in a report detailing arrests made between Feb. 4 and 11. Officials said that on Feb. 5, deputies were dispatched to the area of Grant Avenue and Irving Street for a report of shots being fired. Houston T. Griffith, 22 of Milford, was arrested in connection with this incident. Officials said Griffith was booked into the Iroquois County Jail on a preliminary charge of reckless discharge of a firearm but was later released with a notice to appear. The Iroquois County Circuit Clerks’ Office said he has not been formally charged yet. He is due to appear in court for the first time on March 2.
(USDA–dm)-Another month-over-month increase is forecasted for our nation's corn exports, per USDA's latest outlook. Rod Bain has the story.
(Urbana-jm) — Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana announced it has been experiencing a high number of patients with respiratory and influenza-like illnesses recently and is asking the community for help. Other area hospitals are experiencing similar trends. The hospital and its Emergency Department announced that it’s the time of the year when these illnesses peak, and that the Champaign-Urbana healthcare landscape continues to place increased demands on capacity. To meet this high demand, Carle Health is asking the community for heightened awareness and partnership.
(Cissna Park–dm)-National FFA Week is scheduled for February 23rd-28th. Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton tells us what the Cissna Park FFA has planned for that week.
Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton
(The Center Square) – Illinois election-integrity advocates are pushing the U.S. Senate to agree with a recent House move and pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility America Act. They say it will strengthen federal election safeguards by requiring proof of citizenship and improving voter-roll maintenance. The legislation would require states to verify U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration, update voter rolls more frequently, and use federal databases to remove noncitizens, while allowing eligible voters who lack documents – such as a birth certificate or passport – to register using a sworn statement of citizenship or other approved forms of identification.
(Springfield-jm) – A new law that took effect January 1st is taking aim at gun storage and reporting. The law requires gun owners to report any potentially or missing guns sooner. Now gun owners will need to alert law enforcement within 48 hours of discovering the firearm is gone, instead of 72 hours. There’s an onus on storing guns securely around youths as well. Previously, the law defined minors as youths 14 and under. Now, its been extended to 18.
(Paxton–jc) –The city of Paxton is selling a property on Fulton Street in town. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the city will be taking bids to be opened in March…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Iroquois County-jm) – An October 19 jury trial has been scheduled for a Watseka woman facing a 33-count indictment for charges incurred while she was employed as administrator of the Iroquois County Public Health Department. Dee Ann Schippert is charged with Theft, Forgery, and Official Misconduct. She had been serving as administrator of the health department when an Illinois State Police investigation was turned over to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. That resulted in the 33-count indictment. Schippert is alleged to have stolen over $100,000 from the health department over several months – between May 2020 and July of 2022. Prosecutors claim Schippert submitted fraudulent time sheets claiming back-pay and overtime she didn’t earn.
(Springfield–jc) 53rd District State Senator Chris Balekema, Republican from Channahon invites those in the district to his web site to learn more about property taxes and some measures he is introducing in Springfield. Balekema says the site has information and more…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Kankakee County-jm) — Two children are in critical condition, and the driver of the vehicle has been charged with a DUI after a Thursday night crash in Kankakee County. In a press release, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched at 11:23 p.m. on Thursday to the area of 3700 East Illinois Route 17 after receiving an automated crash alert from an iPhone. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a dark-colored pickup truck partially submerged in nearly two feet of partially frozen creek water. The vehicle was being operated by 58-year-old Phyllis A. Moses of Pembroke Township and was occupied by two young children at the time of the incident. The sheriff’s office said the two children were both transported to a Chicago-area hospital where they both remain in critical condition at this time. Moses was transported to a local hospital, where she was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
(Champaign–dm)-You’re cleaning your house, and you spot it: black spots that could be mold. Do you need to make an appointment with your primary care provider? Do you need to call a professional to remove the substance? They’re questions worth asking to make sure you, your loved ones and your home stay in top shape.Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more from an Urbana doctor.
You can try removing mold with a one to 10 ratio mix of bleach and water. If that doesn’t do the trick, call a professional.Also, clean and ventilate your home to prevent mold in the first place.
(Gilman–dm)-The IroquoisWest School Board will have their monthly meeting on Tuesday February 17th at the high school board room. Items on the agenda include the letting of mowing bids, KCC Early College Program discussion,and accepting a Resolution recognizing Iroquois West Board Scholars. The Iroquois West School Board meeting begins at 7pm.
WPXN News notes…
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Wednesday, February 18th at Gibson Area Hospital from 11:30-3:30.
Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair on Wednesday, February 18th from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Gym.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, February 19th from 4:30-6:30 pm. Dinner includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Cost is $11 for adults, $6 for kids 6-13. Deliveries available in town by calling 217-379-0349.
The Buckley Sportsman Club will hold their annual Fish Fry Friday February 20th at the Buckley American Legion from 5-8pm. Cost is $15.
The Cissna Park Development Board will host a DIY Hat Burning Fundraiser on Friday, February 20th from 6-9pm. Tickets are available by contacting a member of the Cissna Park Development Board.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Whiskey Friends- The Morgan Wallen Experience on Friday, February 20th at 8:30 pm.
