(Springfield-jm) – A new, statewide paint recycling program has already collected around 60,000 gallons of leftover paint in its first two months, among other milestones. On Tuesday, elected officials and paint industry leaders gathered at the Illinois State Capitol for a press conference highlighting the early progress of PaintCare. This program is a nonprofit organization created by the American Coatings Association that helps households and businesses recycle leftover paint. The program noted that it’s already seen a strong participation across Illinois with more than 340 drop-off site community partners. They have also collected an estimated 60,000 gallons of leftover paint in the first two months of the program, which launched on Dec. 1, 2025.

 

(Springfield-jm) — Illinois House Republicans say too many businesses have shut their doors or scaled back operations due to the state's taxes. Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville told reporters in Springfield Tuesday that the closure of the Quaker Oats facility in 2024 caused 510 people to lose good-paying union jobs. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling moved over 220 jobs across the border to Indiana in December. Schweizer has filed a bill to repeal the state's corporate franchise tax to eliminate an "outdated and burdensome tax on businesses." Another plan could strengthen the research and development tax credits to increase incentives for businesses to innovate and expand in Illinois. Both proposals await review by the House Rules Committee.

 

(Springfield–jc) Some representatives in Springfield are seeking polices to save jobs in East Central Illinois and the state. Dean Abbott reports from Springfield…

   

WPXN News will have more on the subject on newscasts on Wednesday and Thursday

 

(Gibson City-jm) – A Ford County grain company could be fined more than $270,000 after federal inspectors said they violated safety standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an inspection into Gibson City’s Alliance Grain Co. last September. In a news release published on Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Labor said this came after a seasonal laborer was hurt stepping through an unguarded sump hole and onto a moving paddle style unloading conveyor. The federal safety inspectors found that the company endangered workers and violated federal law. The main issues, OSHA found, were as follows: failing to lockout/tagout machinery, failing to protect workers from stepping into the sump holes and failing to provide grain handling training to employees. OSHA also found that the company failed to issue permits prior to bin entry, utilize an observer outside the bin, and ensure the bin’s atmosphere was tested before workers entered. OSHA has proposed $276,407 in penalties.

 

(Loda–dm)- The Loda American Legion Auxiliary will be hosting a craft and vendor show on Saturday March 7th.  Loda American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Eilts has the information.

   

Loda American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Eilts 

 

(Kankakee-jm) – Opening statements in the Xandria Harris trial in Kankakee could begin this morning. The 30-year-old Harris is accused of 1st-degree murder, attempted murder, and endangering the life of a child in connection with the 2021 shooting death of a Bradley police sergeant and the wounding of another Bradley officer. The trial could run for two to three weeks. Harris is the second of two defendants charged with the shooting death of Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and the serious wounding of now-retired Police Sgt. Tyler Bailey. The officers were ambushed at the Comfort Inn in Bradley when they responded to reports of barking dogs in a vehicle in the motel parking lot. Harris’ boyfriend, Darrius Sullivan, is serving a life prison sentence plus 80 years for his role in the murder case. He was convicted last year for Rittmanic’s murder and the attempted murder of Officer Bailey.

 

(Paxton–jc)  If you missed the deadline to register to vote in Ford County, there is another way to vote in the March Primary. Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick says eligible citizens can stop by the office, register and vote…

   

Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick

 

(Springfield–jc0  –The Illinois Liquor Control Commission says licensees may notice adjustments to workflows and processing timelines during the first 90 days of the agency’s new licensing and compliance portal. The commission recently launched its new system for license application, renewal and compliance. Training resources, guidance materials, and technical support information are available at i-l-c-c-dotillinois-dotgov.

(Indiana–jc)  The Indiana House of Representatives passed legislation to establish a Northwest Indiana stadium authority for the Chicago Bears. Indiana Senate Bill 27 was approved by a vote of 95 to 4 on Tuesday. The measure calls for food and beverage taxes in Lake and Porter counties and a hotel tax in Lake County. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Tuesday he thinks his state will see progress with a Bears pilot bill.

 

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. Adaline Perzee from Fisher High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

Fisher FFA Member Adaline Perzee

 

NextGen Pioneer seed dealer Brian Dippel is a proud sponsor of National FFA Week

 

Mason Loschen from PBL High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

PBL FFA Member Mason Loschen

 

The Buckley St. Bank is a proud sponsor of National FFA Week

 

(Springfield–jc)  –More than 15 business, manufacturing and labor groups are asking the Illinois Commerce Commission to stop the state’s planned phaseout of natural gas. The coalition filed a petition with the ICC on Tuesday after a study by three state agencies found that Illinois could have electricity shortages as soon as 2029. The groups say the state’s energy imbalance will only worsen if baseload generation sources are retired as currently mandated by state law.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the ceasefire that ended Operation Desert Storm with a ceremony on Saturday. The event will be held at 11 a.m. at the Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 North MacArthur Boulevard, in Springfield. Brigadier General Steven Rice will deliver the keynote address. The public and veterans are invited to attend.

 

(Springfield–jc)  89th District state Representative andIllinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie Republican from-Savanna is pushing for greater transparency in state government this year. McCombie (Mah-’Comb-Bee)  filed legislation to ensure that legislative proceedings are available to the public, including audio and video recordings of all committee hearings in the General Assembly…

 

89th District state Representative and Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie Republican from-Savanna. The measure would make documents open to the public for at least 30 days.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A 27-year-old Urbana woman was arrested last week for her role in at least five separate burglary incidents at the same apartment complex within the last month. The Urbana Police Department looked into the reports of burglary since late January. Upon Investigation 7  separate incidents involving residential burglary and the unlawful use of a credit card were reported at the same complex. Police arrested 27-year-old Elizabeth Gaw earlier this week. She’s charged with residential burglary and unlawful use of a credit card.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Republicans around the state are making a push before the March primary and the November midterms. One of those encouraging people to get out and vote is 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting. He says there are several changes the state needs to make…

   

106th District State Representative State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington.

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – “Extreme” wind and dry conditions have led to a burn ban in Iroquois County, officials announced on Tuesday. In a news release, Scott Anderson, the director of the Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency, said residents are prohibited from any open burning, including landscape waste, agricultural waste, household trash and garbage. Fireworks are also banned at this time. Anyone found to violate this ban could be fined $100. Fines are doubled for the second violation. The burn ban was issued by the Fire Chiefs of Iroquois County and will be in effect until further notice.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  New development in downtown Rantoul continues in anticipation of Spring and Summer activities in the downtown area of the village. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third talks about “freedom fridays” and more at a new structure in “downtown”...

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

(Decatur-jm) – The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater will be welcoming Foreigner with special guest Goodbye June, Tuesday, August 4. This show IS NOT included in the 2026 Devon season ticket package. Public tickets for this show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 27, at devonamphitheater.com.

 

With FFA week being this week, we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. We were able to talk with Sarah Higgins from GCMS High School’s FFA Chapter. 

 

GCMS FFA Member Sarah Higgins

 

Nutrien Ag in Onarga is a proud sponsor of National FFA Week

 

We were able to talk with Georgia Busboom from Rantoul High School’s FFA Chapter.

 

Rantoul FFA Member Georgia Busboom 

 

Weber Fertilizer is a proud sponsor of National FFA Week

WPXN News notes…

The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich supper on Friday, February 27th from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, February 28th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.

 

The GCMS FFA Scholarship Auction will take place on Saturday, February 28th. Lunch will be served at 11 am, silent auction at noon and live auction at 1pm.

 

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. 

 

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.