(Springfield-jm) – Leaders with the Illinois Manufacturers Association say the recent Supreme Court ruling reigning in President Donald Trump’s tariff authority is a step in the right direction. The ruling came after six of the nine justices argued that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not give the President the authority to levy tariffs. Mark Denzler with the Illinois Manufacturers Association said that the stability this decision brings is reassuring. He said industry leaders are not entirely opposed to tariffs and that they can be a useful tool, but only when they’re authorized by Congress.

 

(Springfield–jc)  One positive to come out of Illinois Governor J B Pritzker's budget address last week is the use of nuclear power for the states' needs. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema has 3 nuclear power plants in his local district and says relying on nuclear power is key for Illinois homes and businesses…

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Crime Stoppers is looking to help the Champaign Police Department gather information on a shooting that killed a 17-year-old and injured a 19-year-old earlier this month. The shooting happened around 6:45 p.m. on February 9 in the 800 block of South Mattis Avenue. When officers with the Champaign Police Department arrived, they found a 17-year-old inside a vehicle in the parking lot of the apartment complex. He had been shot multiple times, police said. The Champaign County Coroner later identified the victim as Tariq Porter. Officials added that a 19-year-old male gunshot victim arrived at the hospital around 7 p.m. that same night. He was treated and later released, Crime Stoppers said.

(Fairbury–jc)  The Fairbury Fair Board has announced the grandstand concert lineup for the 20-26 Fairbury Fair—a milestone 150th anniversary celebration To mark this historic year, the board says on Thursday, August 20th, the fair welcomes acclaimed Christian artist Big Daddy Weave. Renowned for their heartfelt songs and personal stories of freedom in Christ, the band has earned a devoted following thanks to their authenticity and openness. That concert is proudly sponsored by “Not Today DMD,” an organization dedicated to raising awareness of and funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. Founder Daniel Flessner of Thawville says their families  journey with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has been hard, but it’s filled with purpose, faith, and a fierce love that keeps us moving forward. A portion of ticket sales go to research. Nashville recording artists, Shenandoah is the band on Friday at the Fairbury Fair.

 

(Paxton–dm)-The Living Word Church will be sponsoring a Craft and Vendor show this Saturday February 28th at the Cadillac in Paxton.  Spokesperson Melanie Bauer has more information.

 

Living Word Church Spokesperson Melanie Bauer.  If you want more information you can call 217-379-7852.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Education Association released its annual, bipartisan State of Education report Monday, monitoring Illinoisans’ views on aspects of public schools. Key points from the IEA State of Education report include: 85% of Illinoisans believe that students have a right to a public education;

84% of the public say they are very worried about the teacher shortage; 79% of Illinoisans are very worried about shortages for school support staff positions like paraprofessionals, bus drivers and librarians. 69% believe funding for public schools should increase; 66% support pension reform to allow those in the Tier 2 pension system to retire before the age of 67 and 65% are opposed to the U.S. Department of Education funding cuts. 

 

(Illinois–dm)-Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and state Rep. Kim Du Buclet, D-Chicago, are pushing legislation that would require school districts to provide all eligible students graduating from high school with the opportunity to register to vote. Welch joined Du Buclet at a press conference in Chicago on Saturday to advocate for House Bill 4339. If passed, the measure will take effect in time for the 2026-2027 school year.

 

(Chicago–jc)  Chicago Park District officials are reportedly planning to use Illinois gas tax revenue to help transform Soldier Field into a concert and special event venue. Fox 32 Chicago reports that the $630 million proposal would break down to $130 million in stadium renovations and half a billion dollars in surrounding infrastructure. The report says park district officials are pitching state lawmakers to include money from the state’s road fund to help with the infrastructure. 

 

Over one million FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Haley Sage from Rantoul High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what goes on today.

   

Rantoul  FFA member Haley Sage

 

The Paxton Wash Barn is a proud supporter of National FFA Week

 

With FFA week being this week, we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Aubrey Murray from Fisher High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

Fisher FFA Member Aubrey Murray

 

Heiser Insurance agent Joe Wier of Fisher is a proud supporter of National FFA Week

 

(Springfield-jm) – A plan moving in Springfield could create new protections for your genetic information. Sponsors believe the insurance industry should be banned from using genetic information to determine healthcare coverage. Senator Julie Morrison said Illinois needs to improve genetic nondiscrimination protections for patients. Her bill could ban insurance companies from canceling, limiting, or denying coverage or changing rates based on genetic information collected for healthcare treatment. Insurers would also be blocked from soliciting a person's genetic information, using genetic test results, or considering a patient's decisions regarding genetic information in any manner for insurance purposes. However, some argue that this bill would be detrimental to the life insurance industry's viability in Illinois. The American Council of Life Insurers said they need access to accurate and complete information about patients, including their full medical record with genetic information and family history.

 

(Pontiac-jm) – A bill drafted by two Pontiac high school students would require producers of electronic smoking devices like vapes to manage the disposal of the devices through stewardship programs. The programs would collect used smoking devices and recycle or safely dispose of the parts. Producers can either establish their own stewardship program or, with other producers, form a statewide producer responsibility organization to establish a group program. Producers would also be required to finance the programs and inform consumers of their disposal options.

 

(Piper City–jc)  Like most small towns in East Central Illinois water and sewer infrastructure is aging and improvements are needed. Piper City Mayor Jeff Orr talks about upgrades coming to Piper City…

 

 

Piper City Mayor Jeff Orr

 

(Springfield-jm) – Lobbyists representing a coalition of health and human service organizations across Illinois are concerned following Governor J-B Pritzker’s annual budget address. Pritzker’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 calls for a 1.6% spending increase, a far cry from past years when base revenue sources were growing at a faster pace. Lawmakers will now spend the coming months negotiating a final spending package before FY27 begins on July 1st. Members of the coalition said they will try to push for increases to budget allocations for health and human services in that time in hopes they can be included. Pritzker addressed the threat of impending budget cuts in his budget speech.

 

(Ford County–dm)-CASA of McLean and Logan Counties will soon expand to include Ford County. Volunteer Recruiter/Trainer Page Malloy explains what CASA does.

 

 

CASA Volunteer Recruiter/Trainer Page Malloy.  There will be a presentation at Gibson Area Hospital on March 25th from 5pm-6pm.  For more information you can call 309-888-5853.

 

(Illinois–jc0  Surrounded by states with abortion restrictions, Illinois has become a destination for patients from across the country since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe versus. Wade in 2022.  Illinois abortion providers took care of 23 percent of the approximately 155 thousand Americans who traveled out of state to get abortions in 2024, according to research from the Guttmacher Institute.  

Adrienne White-Faines, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois says 50 percent of abortion requests and gender affirming care come from out of state.  Planned Parenthood Illinois sees about 112,000-115,000 patients a year,  

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Advocates for Illinois communities are expressing opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s planned reduction of the state’s revenue distribution rate to local governments The governor’s budget proposal cuts the Local Government Distributive Fund formula from 6.47% to 6.28% of individual income tax revenues. Romeoville Mayor and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Chair John Noak called the plan a serious concern to communities across the state.

Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, says that Governor Pritzker is already failing to fund local governments the way he should.

 

With FFA week being this week, we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Josie Nuekomm from Cissna Park High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

Cissna Park FFA Member Josie Nuekomm

 

Knapp & Steiner in Cissna Park is a proud supporter of National FFA Week

 

Over one million FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters.  Shay Duffin from  PBL High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

PBL High School member Shay Duffin

 

GCMS FFA student Kasen DeFries talks about today’s dress up theme.

 

GCMS FFA student Kasen DeFries
 

Ludlow Co op Elavator is a proud supporters of National FFA Week

 

WPXN News notes…

 

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.

 

The Iroquois County Republican Central Committee will hold a candidates forum and Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, February 28th at 6pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Woodworth.

 

The Thomasboro Fire Department will hold their pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday, March 1st from 8 to noon.

 

The Mahomet Seymour FFA will hold their dinner and dessert auction on Sunday, March 1st. Doors open at 4:30 pm with the auction beginning at 5pm.

 

The Gibson City Restoration Association will host a comedy night on Sunday, March 1st at 7:30 pm at Mark’s on First in Gibson City. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by calling Sharon Heavilin at 217-249-8103.

 

The Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau will host a Rules of the Road program on Tuesday, March 3rd at 6pm. Dinner will be served at 5:30pm. Reservations are required by calling 815-265-4712.