(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois Senate Democrat has filed a bill to require grocery stores with digital coupons to have a paper option easily available for customers. Senator Willie Preston said his bill can improve affordability, fairness and protect seniors who don’t use smartphones. Grocery stores violating the requirement could face fines and lawsuits. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association opposes the idea arguing the plan would make digital only offers noncompliant since they can’t be printed by stores. Leaders note the bill would raise grocery prices and reduce access to savings.

 

(Champaign–jc)  The City of Champaign has become aware of a mailer some residents have received that appears to be a home warranty notice from the City of Champaign. The City of Champaign is not responsible for the mailer and does not provide home warranty services. The mailer, which is printed partly in Spanish, claims the recipient’s property was insured by  the city  and urged the homeowner to call to discuss a home warranty that may be expiring. The mailer includes a disclaimer in English stating the document “is not a bill, but a solicitation,” but it does not identify the sender, which could lead some residents to mistakenly believe the mailer is from the City of Champaign.  

 

(Paxton–jc)  Finding state dollars, grant money and other sources of funding continue for the city of Paxton downtown streetscape program. The city has already completed two blocks of the downtown area of Paxton and some money is coming in for North Market Street improvements. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the city continues to seek opportunities for another block on Market Street in the city…            

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Champaign-jm) – Two people have been arrested following a house fire in Champaign Wednesday night. The fire happened at Hessel Boulevard and Randolph Street. Police say a dispute between two 18 year olds led to a physical altercation and one of the 18 year olds starting a fire in the basement.

 

(Cissna Park–dm)-The Cissna Park FFA Chapter will be among the many chapters celebrating National FFA Week.  Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton tells us about some of the accomplishments Cissna Park FFA Chapter had this past year.

 

Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton

 

(Undated-jm) – Election judges serve a critical role at polling places, ensuring things run smoothly. They keep an eye on the process, hand out ballots and verify signatures. But many counties around the area are struggling to get enough election judges to keep polling places open. If you're interested in being an election judge, reach out to your local county clerk.

 

(Chicago–jc)  The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved the Illinois Power Agency’s 2026 plan to guide procurement of new renewable generation over the next two years. The IPA’s plan encourages investment in both utility scale and community solar, utility-scale wind, hydropower and other projects.

A report issued last December by the IPA, ICC and Illinois EPA said the state would have an energy shortage in four years if it continued on its current path.

 

(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City Restoration Assoc. is raising money to restore the Burwell Building in Gibson City. Gibson City Restoration Assoc. President Sharon Heavlin tells us about a fund raiser coming up Sunday March 1st

 

Gibson City Restoration Assoc. President Sharon Heavilin

 

(Springfield–dm)-Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says the state should put students above politics and opt into the national education tax credit scholarship program. In a Chicago Tribune op ed, Mendoza said Illinois should not leave federal incentives unused when they can benefit the state’s residents.

 

(Paxton–jc)  One County political party is set to host a free  community interest breakfast in Paxton on Saturday. The Republican Central Committee has a breakfast set to meet with Ford County Sheriff Chad Johnson says Ford County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Orr of Piper City…

 

Ford County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Orr

 

(Springfield-jm) - Democratic lawmakers have filed a plan to make Illinois the first state to ban tear gas. Sponsors and advocates say that people should have the right to protest without being attacked with chemical agents. The BREATHE Act could establish mandatory safety testing for vulnerable groups including people with asthma, heart conditions and pregnant people. The legislation would also give people injured by tear gas the right to file lawsuits with no qualified immunity defense, a minimum of $5,000 in statutory damages per violation and access to punitive damages. 

 

(Springfield–dm)-Illinois Governor J B Pritzker gave the State of the State/ Budget Address Wednesday in Springfield. The proposed budget totals $56 billion in spending in fiscal year 2027 beginning on July 1, which is up $878 million, or 1.6% from the current year. 89th District Representative Republican Minority Leader Tony McCombie from Savannah had this reaction to the Governor’s speech.

 

 

89th District Representative Republican Minority Leader Tony McCombie from Savannah.  88th District Representative Reagan Deering Republican from Decatur was able to find only a couple of positive items in the Governor’s speech

 

88th District Representative Reagan Deering Republican from Decatur.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s office responded to more calls in 2025 however, arrests were down. Sheriff Dustin Heuerman says deputies responded to 14,466 calls for service up from 13,938 in 2024. Arrests dropped to 557 down from 590. The top charges were warrants, domestic battery and DUI.

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois House Gaming Committee has advanced legislation to ban Illinois home rule cities from regulating the sports betting industry.

State Rep. Daniel Didech, Democrat from Buffalo Grove, filed House Bill 41-71 after Chicago enacted a city licensing requirement and imposed a 10.25% tax on sports wagers. Illinois Gaming Board data shows that legal betting has declined for three consecutive months after the state imposed a per-wager tax last year.

 

(Normal-jm) – Illinois State University students could soon face higher costs for tuition. The college’s Board of Trustees is set to vote today on proposal increases for tuition, fees and room and board for the 2026-2027 academic year. Graduate tuition rates could rise by more than $20 per credit hour for in-state students. Mandatory student fees and outreach fees are also slated for a $2 per credit hour increase. On campus housing and dining plans could both jump by 4 percent.

 

(Iroquois County–dm)-The Illinois Primary election is March 17th.  Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver tells us what positions are on the ballot .

 

Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver

 

(Springfield–dm)-The Illinois Secretary of State’s office has issued a statement condemning the federal government’s assertions over the state’s handling of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses. The statement said the secretary’s office believes its CDL issuance policies and practices are substantially compliant with applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requirements and will not justify cutting federal highway funding. The FMCSA said on Tuesday that nearly one in five non-domiciled CDLs in Illinois were issued illegally. The agency directed the state to come into compliance or risk losing $128 million in federal highway funding.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

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.

 

The High School of St. Thomas More will hold their Rooted in More Gala on Saturday, February 21st at Pear Tree Estate starting at 5:30pm

 

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.