(Springfield-jm) – Passenger rail service has been slowly expanding across Illinois in recent years. In 2025, provisions for new passenger lines from Chicago to Peoria and the Quad Cities were a part of the massive $1.5 billion transit bill. But some think the process isn’t moving fast enough. State Representative Rita Mayfield and State Senator Ram Villivalam think they have the answer with their Passenger Rail Planning Act. The bill itself doesn’t mandate any new construction or introduce new funding but it does lay out the clearest plan yet on what high frequency passenger rail could look like in Illinois. Mayfield’s plan would see hourly trains from Chicago go to cities like Champaign, Peoria and Rockford. But those routes would extend past the state borders, going to cities like Omaha, Kansas City, Atlanta and Toronto.

 

(Springfield–jc) Some representatives in Springfield are seeking policies to save jobs in East Central Illinois and the state. With an update on the subject is  Dean Abbott…

   

(Urbana-jm) – A partnership between researchers at the University of Illinois and researchers in India may have uncovered chemical signatures in blood that could help detect gallbladder cancer earlier. The researchers found that specific metabolic patterns may distinguish gallbladder cancer cases from noncancerous conditions, according to ACES News. This presents a noninvasive screening option to detect a cancer that normally isn’t found until it reaches later stages. While gallbladder cancer is relatively low in the U.S., it has much higher rates in regions like northern India’s Assam state, which is where the U of I’s partner researchers at Tezpur University are based. But, while rare in the U.S., it still affects about 12,000 people in the country each year, causing roughly 2,000 deaths.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Housing Authority of Champaign County is asking for your help to make prom night a success. For the second year in a row, the organization is hosting a free pop-up shop for high schoolers who might not be able to afford prom dresses. They say right now, they’ve received about 40 dresses. But, last year they had 150 and still nearly ran out. They said there are plenty of ways you can help a student make great memories. The pop-up shop will be on April 4 and is open to all high school students across Champaign County.

 

(Urbana–jc)  Even with Southerly winds and a bit warmer temperatures, we are reminded that winter is still here and so is Flu season. Champaign Urbana Public Health Department Administrator Doctor Mamadou Townkara says cases of a wider variety of flu are affecting the local population, especially young children and older adults…

 

Champaign Urbana Public Health Department Administrator Doctor Mamadou Townkara.

 

(Champaign–jc)  –. While sales dipped slightly due to the harsh weather, the median home price rose nearly 16 percent in Champaign County year-over-year to 226 thousand 50o dollars. Mortgage rates continue to fall compared to this time last year. All key indicators as we head toward the spring market. The Champaign County RealtorsAssociation say these numbers are better for those buying homes in the area.

 

(Champaign–jc)  The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a single-family home in the 1500 block of Honeysuckle Lane, just before noon Wednesday.  Once on the scene, firefighters reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the house.  Firefighters deployed multiple hose lines to extinguish the fire and keep it from extending to adjacent homes. The cause of this fire is not determined as investigators remain on scene conducting their investigation.  There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported

 

(Cissna Park–jc) The Cissna Park Development Board has a community event coming in mid March as a fundraiser and fun event. It’s a Sock-Hop and those attending will also have dance instructions at the event says Cissna Park 

Community Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer…

   

Cissna Park Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a settlement with Alternative Staffing, Incorporated that resolves allegations the temporary staffing agency entered into a no-poach agreement with other staffing agencies. Once approved by the court, the settlement requires the company to pay 1 million dollars to compensate affected temporary workers. The lawsuit remains pending against Vee Pak. In April of last year, the circuit court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss.

 

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

 

PBL FFA Member Shay Duffin

 

Murdock’s in Loda is a proud sponsor of National FFA Week

 

Lily Heaton from Cissna Park High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

Cissna Park FFA Member Lily Heaton

 

Cissna Park Grain & Feed is a proud sponsor of National FFA Week

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill moving in Springfield could ensure the state has an efficient process to tell special education students about the federal work incentives planning and assistance program. Sponsors and advocates say it's important for students and families to know what their future work life can be. Experts told the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday that there is often misinformation about how the wages people with disabilities earn could impact their social security income. The Illinois State Board of Education would be required to create a process to share this information by Jan. 1, if the bill becomes law. House Bill 4581 passed unanimously out of the House Education Policy Committee. It now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Who will be the Republican challenger to replace retiring U-S Senator Dick Durbin in Washington? It’s between two people, Don Tracy and Jeannie Evans. Evans talks about herself…

 

U-S Senate Candidate Jeannie Evans.

 

(Paxton-jm) – An old carwash in Paxton has been torn down. The carwash along Route 9 across from Monicals was demolished ahead of a planned redevelopment of the site.

 

(Undated-jm) – Are you curious about severe weather? The National Weather Service will be holding spotter training around the area. Trainings will be offered in Kankakee at Kankakee Community College on Thursday, March 5th from 6-8pm and at ILEAS in Urbana on April 7th at 6:30 pm. 

(Emmington–jc) One local Illinois Representative believes the state of Illinois needs to reign in spending, as the democrat majority in Springfield passes a higher budget each year. Since Illinois Governor J B Pritzker took office, the state has spent nearly 40 percent more and this year’s proposed budget is 57 Billion dollars. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington says certain programs are needed and others not…

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington

 

(Area–jc)  The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency is offering college and occupational training scholarships to low income individuals in Ford Iroquois and Vermilion Counties. It's part of the Community Services Block grant program. Awards may  be up to 5 thousand dollars. The deadline for applications for the fall semester is September 1st at the office in Danville. 

 

(Danville–jc)  The Danville N-DoubleA- C-P Chapter is hosting a Democratic Primary Candidate Forum for the Illinois Second Congressional District.  The public is invited to meet the candidates on Thursday night at 6 at the Bremer Center on Main Street in Danville. The March Primary is set for Tuesday March 17th.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  You will start to see sports action at the Rantoul Sports Complex this weekend. The local sports facility is in its 6th year of operation that saw over 1 million 1 hundred thousand visitors in 20-25 . Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton says some collegiate teams from Wisconsin are coming this weekend…

 

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Agriculture says there is a new location for the return of the Illinois Product Expo, set for Saturday March 7th and Sunday March 8th. The popular event has outgrown the Orr Building and is moving to the Expo Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. For 27 years, the Illinois Product Expo has served as a premier showcase for Illinois-made food products, bringing together local businesses and consumers to celebrate the state’s rich culinary and agricultural heritage. 

 

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

 

Rantoul FFA Member Noah Wolfe

 

Larry Abbe with Abbe Insurance is a proud sponsor of National FFA Week

 

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

 

Fisher FFA Member Zane Walters

 

Lane Beyers and Tucker Davis from GCMS High School’s FFA Chapter talk about today’s dress up theme.

 

GCMS FFA member s  Lane Beyers and Tucker Davis

 

Heritage FS is a proud sponsor of National FFA Week

 

 

WPXN News notes…

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. 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.