(Springfield-jm) – A plan moving in the Capitol could improve access to mental health resources and suicide prevention efforts in Illinois. Sponsors and advocates told reporters in Springfield that the state must do everything possible to save more lives. State Senator Chris Belt says 988 information should be visible in county shelter care homes, daycares, public libraries, colleges, hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. His plan also requires school boards to include age-appropriate suicide prevention curriculum in health courses for students in sixth through 12th grade.

 

(Springfield–dm)-The Illinois house was in session this week and adopted some resolutions, but 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington did not participate.  He Explains why.

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton firefighters had a busy weekend. Friday night, crews were called to a 2 vehicle accident in the southbound lanes of I-57. Saturday afternoon crews were called to 2 fires, one a field fire, the other a shed fire. Loda firefighters were called to assist.

 

(Milford-jm) – A man was arrested Friday on a first-degree murder charge for his alleged role in a Milford house fire that claimed the life of a 37-year-old woman back in October 2025. The Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department said on Friday, 53-year-old Christopher Burton of Milford was arrested without incident on a warrant charging him with first-degree murder. This arrest comes months after a house fire killed 37-year-old Ashley Tucker of Milford on October 16, 2025.

 

(Mahomet-jm) - An 18-year-old from Mahomet has been charged with multiple counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. Zackary Castro is charged with three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and one count of criminal sexual abuse. The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office said in January a sexual assault was reported after a juvenile victim disclosed the incident to a parent. Upon investigation, officials found a second victim. Both identified Castro  

 

(Champaign–jc)  –The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a vacant single-family home in the 500 block of Edgebrook Drive early this morning.

Firefighters responded to a report of a fire in this mobile home. Once on the scene, fire crews found the structure fully involved. Firefighters extinguished this fire using multiple hose lines.  The fire caused minor damage to two adjacent mobile homes. The cause of this fire has not been determined as investigators remain on scene conducting their investigation. There were no firefighter injuries reported.  

              

(USDA–dm)-The Agriculture Secretary announced Thursday a new initiative to streamline producer applications for USDA programs and modernize local office systems.  Rod Bain has the story.

   

(The Center Square) – A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers have introduced energy legislation to protect consumers from costs associated with the state’s planned phaseout of natural gas. Saying Illinois will not meet its 2035 electrification goals if the state eliminates energy options before they are replaced, the Clean Energy Choice Coalition advocated for a package of energy legislation at the Illinois Capitol this week. State Sen. Javier Cervantes, D-Chicago, said Senate Bill 3979 requires a thorough review of customer bill impacts before large-scale gas transition projects are approved and protects rate-payers from unfair cost increases and shifting.

 

(CHAMPAIGN)– In order to complete sidewalk removal and replacement adjacent to 2029 N. Prospect, Mid Illinois Concrete will close one southbound lane of Prospect Avenue between Baytowne Drive and Marketview Drive. The closure will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. starting Monday, March 2, and ending Saturday, March 7, 2026, weather permitting. During the closure, southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in the area.

 

(Springfield-jm) - A first-of-its-kind report was released this week by the state commission formed to research Illinois’ role in past racial injustice. The Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission released on Friday its report titled “Taking Account: A History of Racial Harm & Injustice Against Black Illinoisans.” It was described as Illinois’ first comprehensive, evidence-based report examining how slavery and its vestiges produced historical harms and how they continue to generate inequities for Black people in the state. Commissioned in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago’s Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy, the report traces racial injustice from colonial enslavement and Illinois’ early statehood through Reconstruction, the Jim Crow era, urban renewal, and mass incarceration. The findings of this report will guide the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission’s recommendations to the Illinois General Assembly on pathways toward reparative action.

 

(Illinois–dm)-The Board of Elections issues a reminder for timely return of mail-in ballots.  WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the story.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City firefighters were called to an accident on Route 9 east of town Saturday evening. It happened around 7:45 on Route 9 near 600 east. There’s no word on if there were any injuries.

 

(Champaign-jm) – One person has been arrested after a fire at the Champaign City Building Friday night. 23-year-old Alex Aukerman has been charged with aggravated arson after Champaign Police were called about someone setting several small fires. The Champaign Fire Department said they put out a fire at the city building on the 100 block of North Neil Street just after 7 p.m.

 

(Chatsworth-jm) — A Chatsworth man was arrested and is now facing drug and criminal sexual assault charges.  38-year-old Eduardo Pozos Jr. of Chatsworth was arrested after police officers executed a search warrant while concluding an investigation involving criminal sexual assault. Pozos was taken into custody in Chatsworth. He will remain in jail pending trial. Pozos is facing six counts of criminal sexual assault of a victim between 13-17, one count of manufacturing/ delivering 1-15 grams of cocaine and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

 

(Champaign–dm)-:  Here’s the latest health term to know: Fibermaxxing. Why is fiber important? And how much is appropriate? Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare went searching for answers.

 

Talk to your primary care provider or a dietitian about your fiber intake.

Brouwer (BRAUW-er) also suggests to diversify your fiber. Try barley, oats, nuts, seeds, beans, and more.

 

(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Housing Development Authority is asking for public input on how the agency allocates low-income housing tax credits. IHDA has hybrid summit meetings scheduled in Springfield on March 11 and in Chicago on March 20. The agency is also conducting an online survey of the public’s opinion on recommendations and allocation priorities.

WPXN News notes…

 

The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, March 6th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will hold a first responder night on Saturday, March 7th. Doors open at 4 with live music by Tailgate Revival and South Side Social Club at 6pm.

 

The Danforth Blue Ribbon 4-H club will hold their pork chop supper on Saturday, March 7th from 5-7pm. Cost is $10 for one chop or $12 for 2 chops. Meal includes pork chops, green beans, potato salad, bread and butter, dessert and drinks.

 

The Melvin Community Hall welcomes Primetime Country Opry on Saturday, March 7th at 7pm. Cost is $10 for those 13 and older.

 

Weather permitting the City of Paxton will be flushing hydrants starting Monday, March 9th through Friday, March 13th beginning on the west side of town.

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours on Thursday, March 12th from 5:30-7:30 pm at The Villas of Hollybrook.