(Springfield-jm) - The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in Illinois is expanding its food package offerings. The changes took effect February 25. Expanded options include: more package size options, new foods like corn masa flour, whole wheat English muffins, and sardines, adjustments to some food quantities, reducing some items and increasing others to align with current nutrition science and key dietary needs. Participants can substitute certain items based on families' preferences. For example, they can now select beans or peanut butter instead of eggs.
(Chicago–jc) During a questioning of former President Bill Clinton concerning the Epstein files, he made a comment about Illinois Governor J B Pritzker. Yesterday, Illinois Governor J B Pritzker said President Clinton misspoke…
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker
(Vermilion County-jm) – Learning more about farmland assessments and their impact on property taxes and determination of cropland tax rates will be the objective of an upcoming workshop hosted by Vermilion County Farm Bureau. The Farmland Assessment workshop will be held next Wednesday morning at 9. The program will be held in the Vermilion County Farm Bureau Auditorium, in Danville. Presenters in the workshop will include Brenda Matherly, Director of Local Government with the Illinois Farm Bureau, and Nathan Byram, Vermilion County Supervisor of Assessments. The panel will discuss property taxes, the farm parcel audit process, and the determination of cropland tax rates. The program is open to all Farm Bureau members.
(Paxton–jc) Tax time is here and senior citizens have a new deduction for those taking social security. Shaffer Tax and Accounting of Paxton Owner Jeff Shaffter says the new deduction will save seniors tax dollars…
Shaffer Tax and Accounting of Paxton owner Jeff Shaffer. Filers have until April 15 to file their 20-25 taxes.
(Champaign-jm) — Nearly two years after an investigation by the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force recovered two firearms, a “large quantity of pistol and rifle ammunition,” and over 1 gram of crack cocaine, the man arrested in the investigation has learned that he will spend half a decade in prison. Michael Terry was arrested in 20-24, After his arrest, he was initially charged with two counts of being an armed habitual criminal, one count of possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. A plea deal was struck last December, Terry pleaded guilty to the drug charge and took a plea deal that saw the other four counts dismissed.
(Rantoul–jc) Winter is still here and those needing help with their heating bills have help in Rantoul at the Community Service Center. Rantoul based Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says the Champaign Regional Planning Commission has Li-Heap help at the office, during the week…
Rantoul Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford. The local center has a “spring fling” fundraiser coming in April to help provide needed services for Rantoul and Champaign County.
(Kankakee–jc) –The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is inviting interested vendors to attend a virtual pre-bid meeting for firewood concessions at Kankakee River State Park Area in Kankakee County. The mandatory pre-bid meeting will occur at 10 a.m. Friday, March 6 via Webex. During the meeting, participants will receive essential details on the bid submission process, contract terms, expectations and requirements. Vendors may register at bid-buy-dot-illinois-dot-gov.
(Springfield–jc) The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Professional Regulation has its first license under a new pathway that will allow internationally-trained physicians to provide care in Illinois.
The International Medical Graduate licensure pathway allows professionals to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician at an approved institution for a period of two years.
(Undated-jm) - Illinois families could be owed billions after the Supreme Court struck down certain Trump-era tariffs, but economists warn getting that money back may be a long, complicated process. On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that several of the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were unlawful because the law didn’t give the president authority to set them. But, the ruling did not address how refunds would be issued or set a timeline for repayment. Estimates suggest up to $175 billion could be refunded to importers nationwide. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said Illinois families are owed about $8.6 billion, which would work out to roughly $1,700 per household if refunds were distributed. Economists caution that while the Supreme Court ruling is significant, the logistics of returning funds are far from straightforward.
(Springfield–jc) State Republicans in Springfield are backing a proposal to make a stronger law concerning sexual violence in high schools in Illinois. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon says the measure places a stricter penalty on abuses…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Mahomet-jm) – A Mahomet teen accused of sexually assaulting two minors has been denied pretrial release. 18 year old Zackary Castro is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse after police said he sexually assaulted two underage victims. A parent notified the Champaign County Sheriff's Office in January that their underage child had told them they had been sexually assaulted. Detectives later discovered a second underage victim during an investigation. He’s due back in court March 24th.
(Cissna Park–jc) A D-I-Y Hat event, sponsored by the Cissna Park Community Development Board was a huge success. Cissna Park Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer says they will do this event again…
Cissna Park Community Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer
The group has a Sock Hop dance and fundraiser coming to the Cissna Park American Legion Home on Saturday March 14th.
(Rantoul-jm) – The magical game of Quidditch is coming to Central Illinois this week. Quadball, the real-life sport inspired by Harry Potter’s Quidditch, is bringing the national qualifier to Rantoul. This is a full contact sport with 600 teams, 450 players and spanning more than 40 countries. All teams are competing for a spot in the US Quadball Cup.
Elliott–jc) One area youth with autism is in need of a service dog in his journey in life. Sara Hornback of Loda says the event on Saturday at the Elliott Amvets will benefit her son Jonathan…
Jonathan's Service Dog Benefit Spokesperson Sara Hornback. The event is set for Saturday from 4pm to 8pm at the Elliot Amvets. A silent auction, and taco bar hilite the event. The service dog comes at a price of 30 thousand dollars.
(The Center Square) – Chicago is one of five cities in the running to hold the 2028 Democratic National Convention. The Democratic National Committee announced on Monday that Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Philadelphia advanced in the application process for the convention scheduled from Aug. 7 to Aug. 10, 2028.
Chicago has held the DNC six times, most recently in 2024.
(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says fishing licenses and stamps are now on sale for the 2026 season. A standard, non-discounted resident fishing license costs $15. Licenses can be bought online and at IDNR-authorized vendors.
WPXN News notes…
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 pblchoralboosters 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.
The Danville Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Vermilion County on Saturday, March 14th at 7:30 pm at the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium. Tickets for the main floor are $35 and balcony are $45.
Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair on Wednesday, March 18th from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Gym.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Thunderstruck America’s AC/DC Tribute on Saturday, March 21st at 8pm.
Birth to Five Illinois will hold a Community Conversation at the St. Joseph Township Swearingen Memorial Library in St. Joseph on Monday, March 23rd from 6-7:30pm.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Paxton First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 24th from 12:30-5:30 pm.
CASA of McLean and Logan Counties will host CASA 101 for volunteers interested in Ford County on Wednesday, March 25th from 5-6 pm at Gibson Area Hospital
