(Springfield-jm) – Starting July 1, credit card companies may no longer be able to charge a swipe fee on the sales tax or tip portion of your bill. If you eat at your favorite restaurant, the swipe fee would apply to your total bill: food, drinks, tax and tip. Under legislation passed by the general assembly in 2024, the tax and tip portion will be exempt. Banks and credit unions have been in court trying to stop the first-in-the-nation legislation. Last week, a federal Judge in Northern Illinois ruled the law can be implemented. Small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers, are applauding the court ruling. Banks and credit unions will be appealing in an attempt to block it.

 

(Springfield–dm)-In the state of Illinois, an individual income taxpayer must report all income, excluding gifts, received during the taxable year.   After applying various income tax credits and deductions available under current law, the remaining income is considered taxable. This includes cash and electronic payments from tips and gratuities paid to the recipient. State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) is sponsoring legislation that will allow tip wage earners to keep more of their hard earned cash.

   

State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur)

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying three suspects in a residential burglary in Champaign. Police said the burglary occurred January 27 in the 200 block of Beardsley Avenue. According to authorities, three unknown individuals forced entry into the residence and stole jewelry, cologne, clothing and shoes with a total estimated value exceeding $18,800. The three suspects were described as younger Black males. One was reported to be wearing a mask and all black clothing. No additional descriptions were available for the other two individuals.

 

(Paxton–jc)  City of Paxton officials are in the process of marketing several city owned properties. One is located on west pine., Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the property is part of the March calendar for the council…

   

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Seniors, you have until this afternoon to  get registered for the Rantoul Rec Department day  trip to the Riverboat Casino in Peoria. The bus leaves the Rantoul Youth Center at 9-30 Wednesday morning. The bus will be back in Rantoul after gaming and dining at 4pm on Wednesday. The cost is just 10 dollars for the ride. To register, call the Recreation Department at (217) 893-5700.

 

(Paxton–dm)-Ater taking some time off from concerts, the Cadillac in Paxton is having two nights of music this Friday and Saturday February 20th and 21st. Cadillac Owner Alan Meyer tells us what to expect.

   

The Cadillac owner Alan Meyer

 

(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Department of Employment Security says 1099-G tax forms are now available for claimants who received unemployment insurance benefits in 2025. The agency says the form is necessary for individuals who received state or UI benefits. IDES said claimants should receive either an email notification or a hard copy of the form by mail. All claimants may also access their 1099-G tax form by logging into their IDES account or calling Tele-Serve at (312) 338-4337.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Democratic state Senator. Doris Turner, Democrat from Springfield, and Republican state Representative  Amy Elik, Republican from Alton, have filed legislation to create small business asset purchase accounts.

The measures allow small businesses to receive income tax deductions of 50 percent in the tax year they contribute funds to the account or withdraw funds.

The lawmakers said the legislation would empower businesses to make investment decisions based on operational needs rather than arbitrary tax timelines.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are considering a proposal that would set statewide standards for emergency panic alert systems in schools. State Sen. Michael E. Hastings is sponsoring Senate Bill 2948 which would task the Illinois State Board of Education with developing the regulations. The systems, also known as “Alyssa’s Alert,” would allow staff to instantly notify law enforcement and emergency responders with the push of a button during an emergency. Additionally, ISBE would conduct research with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Illinois State Police to ensure compatibility with existing 911 infrastructure.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Republicans are making a push ahead of the March primary and midterm elections in November. While he doesn’t have a challenger in March, 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema says there are several issues he wants to see addressed…

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema.

 

(Rankin-jm) – A solar farm is coming to northern Vermilion County. The county board approved a building permit for the proposed solar farm east of Rankin in Butler Township. Named after the site’s county road location, the company is listed as 4200 N. Solar 1, LLC; a subsidiary of Soltage renewable energy. Work is expected to begin in April or May.

 

(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City Restoration Assc. is an organization raising funds to upgrade the Burwell Building in Gibson City. Gibson City Restoration Assc. President Sharon Heavilin talks about the organization's fundraising

   

Gibson City Restoration Assc. President Sharon Heavilin

 

(IHSA–dm)-The first practice date of the 2026 Illinois High School Association football season is moving up to Aug. 5. The IHSA announced Friday that members school approved a special by-law proposal by a margin of 290 in favor, 245 opposed and 67 with no opinion.  In addition, players will be required to complete 12 days of on-field practices before they are eligible to compete in their first game.

 

(USDA–dm)-How do USDA projections for various farm household income categories for this year compare to totals from the prior year? Rod Bain has the story.

          

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed raising the state’s minimum wage to $27 per hour in 2032, but an employment policy researcher says the move could trigger drastic inflation. House Bill 5367 and Senate Bill 3821 provide for incremental increases, starting on July 1st of this year. Citing research by economists and Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Employment Policies Institute Research Director Rebekah Paxton said every one-dollar increase in the minimum wage can trigger up to 5.5% price inflation. The minimum wage bills were filed earlier this month by state Rep. Norma Hernandez, D-Melrose Park, and state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood. If the legislation is passed and signed by the governor, the state minimum wage would rise from the current $15 per hour to $17 per hour on July 1. Additional hikes would follow each January 1 from 2028 to 2032. After 2032, the minimum wage would automatically rise with the consumer price index, up to 2.5% annually.

 

WPXN News notes…

The CU Comedy Club will host live stand up comedy at Milford Town and Country Events on Saturday, February 21st at 8pm. 

 

The Gibson City Lions Club will hold their 50th annual pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday, February 22nd from 8-1 at the GCMS Elementary School.

 

The Loda United Methodist Church will host bluegrass gospel group High Cotton on Sunday, February 22nd at 4:30 pm. A chicken and noodle dinner will follow. The concert and dinner are free will offerings.

 

The Paxton Carnegie Library along with Ford County 4-H will host 4-H reading and art hour on Monday, February 23rd from 4–5 pm. The event is free.

 

The Living Word Church in Roberts will hold their summer camp fundraiser craft and vendor fair at the Cadillac in Paxton on Saturday, February 28th from 9-3. For more information contact Melanie Bauer at 217-379-7852.

 

The PBL Booster Club will host Glow Bingo at the Pueblo Lindo events center on Saturday, February 28th. Doors open at 5:30pm with Bingo beginning at 7pm. Tickets are available by contacting a PBL Booster Club member.