(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Senate Republicans hope lawmakers can pass plans this spring to protect children from sex trafficking and grooming. Their legislation could close legal loopholes and increase criminal penalties for serious crimes involving children. One of the bills would eliminate plea deals for people charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, trafficking involving a minor or grooming. It could also charge child sex offenders with a Class 4 felony if they work, volunteer or knowingly visit facilities that exclusively provide entertainment for minors. Another proposal would require people to register as a sex offender if they are convicted of secretly recording videos of minors and the offense is found to be sexually motivated.
(Undated-jm) – Severe weather once again made its way through Central Illinois Sunday evening. Multiple severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were issued. The City of Paxton sounded their sirens due to rotation between Paxton and Elliott and the report of a potential tornado touchdown along Route 115 near 900 north.
(USDA–dm)-The application periods for both the General and Continuous Conservation Reserve Program continue with deadlines soon coming up. Rod Bain has the story.
(Iroquois County-jm) – Fire departments from two communities responded to a crash on I-57 Sunday afternoon. Paxton and Buckley were called to the single vehicle rollover accident near mile marker 265. One lane in each direction was closed while crews cleaned up the scene. Two people were taken to the hospital.
(Saline County–jc) –A district judge sentenced a Saline County man to nine years in prison after he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography.
Prosecutors say James Troy Martin, 51, of Carrier Mills received at least two images of child sexual abuse material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct in Saline County between February and April 2024.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois, the investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations.
(Gifford–dm)-The Gifford Lion’s Club will host their annual Chicken Supper this Sunday, March 22. Gifford Lion’s Club Spokesperson Earl Smith has the details.
Gifford Lion’s Club Spokesperson Earl Smith
(Paxton-jm) – The Illinois primary is tomorrow. Two candidates for state office made stops in Paxton over the weekend. Aaron Del Mar, the Lieutenant Governor candidate alongside Darren Bailey and Jeannie Evans, candidate for the U-S Senate were at Oakwood and Fire Pizzeria Saturday. Polls open tomorrow at 6 am and close at 7pm.
(Champaign–dm)-Birth to 5 Illinois’ mission is to improve early childhood education for all children. Regional Council Manager Jill Duden explains.
Birth to 5 Illinois Regional Council Manager Jill Duden
(Champaign–dm)-The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has named a YouTube host to be the school’s 2026 commencement speaker. “Hot Ones” host Sean Evans graduated from U of I in 2008. The commencement ceremony is scheduled to be at Gies Memorial Stadium on May 16.
(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says 627 bobcats were harvested by hunters and trappers during the state’s 2025-2026 bobcat season. Jefferson County reported 33 bobcats, followed by Macoupin County with 28. IDNR issued 2,000 permits for the 2025 season out of 9,700 bobcat lottery applicants.
(Springfield-jm) —- The Illinois Secretary of State is announcing that approximately 120 paid positions are available through his office’s annual summer program, and they are now accepting applications. Alexi Giannoulias announced that his office’s fourth annual summer job program is offering these paid opportunities for college, trade school and graduate students, as well as high school seniors who will be enrolled in college or trade school in the fall. Applicants must submit a resume, completed application and a cover letter describing their interest in working at the Secretary of State’s office.
(Champaign–dm)-March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The disease used to be thought of as impacting older adults. But a recent study says cases in people 50 and under...are rising. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has prevention tips.
And be on the lookout for colorectal cancer symptoms...like rectal bleeding, sudden abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.
(Rantoul-jm) – Illinois State Police have shared new information about a crash that took place in Champaign County last week. One passenger in that crash was taken to a Champaign Hospital with severe injuries. The single-vehicle crash happened on I-57 northbound near Rantoul around 9 on Thursday night State Police say the driver lost control of their vehicle and the vehicle overturned The driver of the vehicle reported no injuries, State Police said. The accident remains under investigation.
(Bloomington-jm) – A 23 year old Mahomet man was arrested on seven felony counts in Bloomington in connection with a sexual abuse investigation regarding a situation stemming back to last summer. Bloomington Police say Eswin Ixcotoyac was arrested following an investigation from November of last year. Police say Ixcotoyac contacted a juvenile female through a social media platform portraying himself to be a 16 year old to convince the minor to meet up with him in person. After meeting in person, he allegedly committed acts of sexual abuse with the juvenile. When the juvenile learned he was an adult they filed a report with police. He faces 4 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 13 and 16 and 1 count each of grooming, traveling to meet a minor and indecent solicitation of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He was denied pretrial release.
(Illinois–dm)-You’ll need more than luck if you drive impaired this St. Patrick’s Day. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has more.
(The Center Square) – Both sides of the aisle in the state legislature have agreed home affordability is an issue for Illinois residents in recent weeks. A new program to help first-time home buyers with down payments was announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier this week. The IHDAccess Home program, overseen by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, is part of a larger expenditure program proposed by Pritzker, called Building Up Illinois Developments. The proposed 2027 budget would allocate an additional $50 million to the program. The plan is for the state to support the housing market through incentives for new construction and financial assistance to home buyers, reallocating funds from previous programs and bond proceeds. The program will provide new home buyers with 6% of the purchase price, up to $15,000, as a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. The mortgage is only available to residents who make under specific income thresholds, varying by county.
The Center Square) – The Gun Owners Foundation and Gun Owners of America have filed suit in the Southern District of Illinois over the state’s prohibition of open and concealed public carry of firearms. The plaintiffs say the case involves a challenge to Illinois’ refusal to allow the vast majority of Americans to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The federal complaint names Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly as defendants.
WPXN News notes…
Rise Above Tuskegee Airmen a traveling exhibit will be at the Rantoul National Aviation Center on Monday, March 16th and Tuesday, March 17th from 10-4.
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 Ford County Historical Society will hold their March meeting on Wednesday, March 18th from 6:30-9:30 pm.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, March 19th from 4:30-6:30 pm. Dinner includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Cost is $11 for adults, $6 for kids 6-13. Deliveries available in town by calling 217-379-0349.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Iroquois West High School on Friday, March 20th from 9-3.
The Feudin Hillbillys will perform at The Cadillac in Paxton on Friday, March 20th at 8pm.
