(Springfield–jm) – A proposal moving in Springfield could help close gaps in protection for survivors of domestic violence and stalking. Senator Steve Stadelman said Illinois should ensure emergency orders of protection remain in effect until the final order of protection has been served. This comes as many survivors are harassed and threatened under the current system where emergency orders are no longer in effect after a judge grants a plenary order. The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence said this issue is critical, as the organization served more than 50,000 women, children and families last year. Advocates said service delays can leave survivors unprotected and make it more difficult for the legal system to respond to abuse and harassment.

 

(Springfield–dm)-New legislation has been proposed in the Illinois Senate to boost Illinois engineering talent by providing scholarships to engineering students.

53rd District Sate Senator Chris Balkema -R- from Channahon explains.  

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema -R- from Channahon

 

(Springfield-jm) – Youth advocates against substance abuse swarmed the Capitol last week, navigating their way into lawmakers’ offices, sharing their experiences in school and addressing what they viewed as gaps in Illinois’ drug and alcohol regulations. Brought together by the Illinois Prevention Network – a coalition of organizations working to create safe, healthy and drug-free communities in Illinois – high schoolers canvassed the Capitol in support of bills aimed at reducing and regulating substance use throughout Illinois.

 

(Kankakee–jc) The president of Kankakee Community College hopes legislation moving in Springfield passes that could help college students seeking a variety of degrees.  Kankakee Community College President Michael Boyd says K-C-C is in support of the bachelors degrees…

   

Kankakee Community College President Michael Boyd. The proposal is in the hands of both the Illinois Senate and Illinois House during this Spring session . 

 

(McLean County-jm) – The McLean County Board will consider Sheriff Matt Lane’s request to buy millions of dollars’ worth of hardware and software from a single company, instead of paying many businesses to provide the equipment. Lane is recommending the county sign a 10-year deal comprehensive agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. to provide Tasers, body cameras, car-video systems, and other equipment for sworn deputies and correctional officers. In a letter to the county board’s justice committee, the sheriff said buying a “fully integrated” system will save taxpayers approximately $3.8 million during the life of the contract instead of the county having to buy the items from many individual vendors. 

 

(USDA–dm)-How many farms are in the U.S., per USDA's latest edition of its annual Farms and Land in Farms Report?  Rod Bain has the answers.

 

 

(DuQuoin-jm) – Heavy-hitting rock legends Night Ranger will bring their powerhouse sound to the Du Quoin State Fair on Friday, September 4, 2026, delivering a night of classic hits and high-energy rock that spans four decades of music history. Tickets for the Night Ranger concert will be available Friday, March 6 beginning at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster. The Du Quoin State Fair runs from August 28 - September 7. To learn more, visit dsf.illinois.gov/.

 

CHICAGO—The State of Illinois is recognizing March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month, highlighting free, confidential resources for people struggling with problem gambling and raising awareness about prevention and recovery. Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois Lottery, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), and the Illinois Racing Board (IRB) are partnering on statewide outreach efforts throughout the month.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Paxton Emergency personnel were called to a single vehicle accident Monday morning around 7-45. The accident happened  along 1500 East and 271 North just outside the city of Paxton.  Slick conditions were to blame for the 

accident.

 

(Champaign County–jc)  There was one injury in a single vehicle crash along Interstate 57 near Staley road in Champaign on Monday morning. Illinois State Police say they were called to milepost 235 around 4-30 yesterday morning. One person was taken to a local hospital. No word on the extent of injuries.

 

Springfield – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s  Office of Energy is offering up to One and a half million dollars in grant funding available to support energy efficiency projects at publicly owned public water supply  facilities. Awarded projects will range from $50,000 to $500,000 with a match requirement of 10-20% based on geographic location. Application materials are available at the Illinois EPA Office of Energy PWS Energy Efficiency Grant Program webpage. The application period closes May 4th. Eligible projects must be based on recommendations from a third-party energy efficiency assessment and may include pump and motor equipment upgrades, installment of variable frequency drives, energy demand management enhancements, or H-VAC and lighting improvements.

 

(Undated–jc) Gibson Hospital and Health Services officials are set to announce the  band or bands for the August Gibson Area Hospital Summer Bash. WPXN News will let you know who is coming to Gibson City this August,

 (Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health issued its first ever carbon monoxide surveillance report. The report details all known unintentional carbon monoxide exposures in the state from 2019 to 2023. Data will be used to help state and local officials work on public information and education efforts.

 

(Springfield–jc)  It’s time for budget negotiations and one area Republican’s hope is what he thought he heard in Governor J B Pritzker's State-of-the-state address means controlled spending and fiscal responsibility. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington says the state government has 3 months to get it right…

   

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington

 

(Danville-jm) – Veterans Affairs Illiana HealthCare System announced its next planned infrastructure upgrades to ensure safe and effective patient care.The projects are part of $4.8 billion in nationwide VA spending to modernize, repair and improve department health care facilities in fiscal year 2026 via the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program. Illiana system improvement projects scheduled for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 include: infrastructure upgrades for electronic health-record modernization in support of patient care, upgrades to the fire protection and emergency notification systems in five buildings to enhance life safety and security, replacement of chillers and/or air-handling units in three buildings to improve indoor air quality, patient comfort and overall energy efficiency across the facility and replacement of the air-handling unit serving surgical areas to improve temperature control in preoperative spaces and common areas, ensuring a safe, stable and comfortable environment for veterans awaiting surgery.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  The 20-26 sports season has started at the Rantoul Sports Complex on the village's west side. Several Wisconsin college baseball teams used a part of the baseball fields for games this past weekend. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton says the seasons continue through Thanksgiving…

   

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton. A national slow pitch and U-S-Q Quadball tournaments are set for this weekend in Rantoul. 

 

(Mahomet-jm) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for tips from the public that can help Mahomet Police solve a break-in and burglary attempt a month ago. The crime happened the morning of February 3 at the McDonald’s on South Purnell Drive. Crime Stoppers said that employees arrived at the restaurant around 4 a.m. to begin business for the day. They discovered the restaurant had been broken into, and the suspect tried to cut into the safe using a power tool. Surveillance footage showed the crime happened between 3 and 3:30 a.m. The suspect recorded was described as wearing a light-colored ballcap, mask, black jacket, jeans, sneakers and was carrying a black duffle bag.

 

(Ford/Iroquois–dm)-The Ford Iroquois County 4–H Foundation is announcing the availability of two types of scholarships this year. Ford/Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Dubble has the information.

   

Ford/ Iroquois 4-H Foundation President Nita Dubble.  To be eligible you must be an active member of 4-H for the past five years, and a current member of 4-H.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump is once again sidestepping the Constitution and failing to explain why he is taking the United States into another war. After the president ordered military combat operations in Iran over the weekend, Pritzker said in social media posts that Trump had no justification for the attacks, no authorization from Congress and no clear objective.

 

(Bloomington-jm) – State Farm is paying back $5 billion to its auto insurance customers thanks to financial successes in a year that also had its share of controversy involving Illinois’ governor and the California wildfires. The $5 billion dividend, which is the largest in the Bloomington firm’s 104-year history, is being awarded because of strong finances and better-than-expected underwriting performance, a release said. The dividend covers 49 million vehicles, with payments averaging $100 per vehicle, varying on the state and premiums paid. State Farm said it can pay the dividend to customers because it’s a private mutual company owned by policyholders, rather than a publicly traded firm owned by shareholders.

 

(Springfield—)  Illinois Governor J B Pritzker has appointed several people to commissions and boards around the state. George Weller will continue to serve as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Vermilion County. Weller currently operates his real estate firm, George R. Weller and Associates, in Danville. 

 

 

WPXN News notes…

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.

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.

 

The World's Smallest St. Patrick's Day parade will take place on Saturday, March 14th from 11-1 in downtown Rantoul.

 

The PBL Choir will hold a murder mystery dinner on Saturday, March 14th at 6pm at Pueblo Lindo in Paxton. Tickets are available by emailing 

pbl-choral-boosters- at- gmail- dot- com.

 

The Cissna Park Development Board will host a sock hop on Saturday, March 14th at the Cissna Park American Legion. Doors open at 6, lessons begin at 6:30 with social dancing and live music from 7-10 pm. Cost at the door is $7 for kids, $12 for adults and $20 for couples.