WILL COUNTY — Governor JB Pritzker and Hyundai Translead Monday announced that the company will establish new trailer manufacturing facilities in Illinois, creating nearly 2,500 new full-time jobs in the state. With Hyundai Translead’s $450 million investment and commitment to creating thousands of jobs in Will County, Illinois continues to establish itself as a global destination for advanced manufacturing companies who invest in Illinois communities. Monday’s announcement occurred in conjunction with American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition.
(undated–jc) Voters go to the polls today to elect their candidates for a wide
variety of offices from Governor, to State Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer. In Iroquois County there are contested county board races. They include to vote for two candidates in District one, with candidates Paul Ducat, John Meents and Nancy Owens. In District two three candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for two positions. They are Kathleen Perkinson, Steve Huse and Chris Peifer. Three are running for the Republican spot for District 4 with two to be elected. They are Marion Jaworski, Mitchell Bence, and Kevin Bohlmann. In Ford County there is a contested race for Ford County Clerk between Amy Frederick and Kelsey Vaughn. In Champaign County there is a race for the County Executive position between Michelle Jett and Stanford Hess.
(Iroquois County-jm) Parts of I-57 in Iroquois County were shut down yesterday due to blowing snow causing several accidents and reducing visibility. The southbound lanes were closed between Clifton and Gilman. Numerous accidents were reported on secondary roads like U-S 45 and 49.
(Rantoul–jc) A traveling exhibit is coming to the village of Rantoul today. The Rise Above Tuskegee Airmen, a traveling exhibit ,will be at the Rantoul National Aviation Center, says Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul woman has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence after a crash on I-57 Thursday left one person with “life-threatening injuries.” 42-year-old Stephanie Burnett appeared in court on Monday. Burnett waived her preliminary hearing, entered a plea of not guilty and requested a trial by jury. She is scheduled to appear again in court in April.
(Piper City–jc) It’s still winter through Thursday, but several area communities are planning for a celebration this 4th of July to celebrate the U S 250th birthday. Piper City Mayor Jeff Orr says those in his community have several celebrations annually, but it will be special this 4th of July…
Piper City Mayor Jeff Orr
(Champaign-jm) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for tips from the public that can help police solve a retail theft that happened earlier this month. he theft happened the night of March 8 at Champaign’s Meijer. Officials said a man walked into the store, went to the clothing and liquor sections, concealed multiple items and left without paying. Loss prevention staff confronted him at the store exit, but he still got away with $400 worth of stolen merchandise. The suspect, who was recorded on surveillance cameras as he left, is described as a white or Hispanic male wearing a blue jacket with fur around the hood and black pants. He was carrying a large backpack.
(Paxton–dm)-The Cadillac in Paxton has had a busy month of entertainment. The Cadillac owner Allen Meyer tells us about some big concerts to wrap up the month of March.
The Cadillac owner Allen Meyer
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker says removing the state’s two-year high school foreign language requirement would give students more flexibility while easing pressure from what he calls an unfunded mandate that affects taxpayers. State Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Edwards, is backing legislation introduced by Democratic state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, that would eliminate the statewide requirement that high school students complete two foreign language credits to graduate. Weaver said a superintendent raised the idea, saying the requirement limits students’ ability to take other courses.
(Gibson City–)-The Gibson City Harvest Fest Planning Committee is pleased to announce the main stage lineup for the 2026 Harvest Fest. On Friday night September 11 Headliner Drew Baldridge will take the stage. Opening for Drew Baldridge will be Cody Webb. On Saturday September 12th the festival will shift gears with the Pop 2000 tour featuring Chris Kirkpatrick. Tickets will go on sale this Friday at 8am. For details and ticket purchase you can go to www.gibsoncityharvestfest.com
(Undated–jc) There are several questions on the ballots for area voters today, In Paxton, voters in the city will answer a question of whether residents can have backyard chickens on their property. In Champaign County, Fisher residents and those in Mahomet are being asked to support fees for library districts and Thomasboro school district voters have a referendum on the ballot to improve school buildings in the district. In Iroquois County, Buckley residents are voting on a new sewer system for the town, and Crescent Iroquois Fire Protection District voters have a question on the ballot to support a new fire station with new vehicles.
Voters go to the polls starting at 6 Tuesday morning through 7pm Tuesday evening.
(Springfield-jm) — When someone experiences a heart attack, the emergency protocol is universal for all genders, first responders are supposed to place the patient on their back and their hands in the center of the chest, then push hard and fast. Yet, women are 27% less likely to receive bystander CPR than men because of hesitancy to follow protocol, fueled by fears of inappropriate touching, exposing the chest or drawing accusations of sexual assault, according to the Journal of the American Heart Association. House Bill 4788, sponsored by Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, aims to defeat this stigma, normalizing CPR performance on women by introducing female manikins in secondary school CPR training. The idea for the legislation began with a Naperville High School student, senior Ashlynn Goldstein who is CPR certified but never encountered a female manikin. Her capstone project in high school examines why disparities exist in the performance of CPR between men and women, Illinois current statutes addressing CPR training, and how those policies are handled in schools.The bill is currently assigned to the Education Policy Committee. It requires CPR training in secondary schools to include at least one female manikin for every two male versions, starting in the 2028-29 academic year.
(Cissna Park–jc) The Cissna Park community is welcoming a new owner for its furniture store in the downtown area. The Jim McCray family purchased the former Steiner Furniture Building and store and are now open for business with side to side family businesses. The store will continue to offer the best in quality furniture and flooring. Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer says the community continues to grow and remains a bright spot to do business, locally…
Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer
(Chicago–jc) – The Illinois Department of Revenue is alerting taxpayers that changes announced by the United States Postal Service regarding postmarks could impact tax filings this tax season. While the USPS postmark will still show the date of the first automated processing operation, the postmark may no longer reflect the date when the piece of mail was dropped off at a local post office. This change can directly impact time-sensitive documents such as tax returns and payments. IDOR encourages those taxpayers who mail their returns and tax payments to do so earlier than they typically would to ensure they meet the Wednesday, April 15th deadline.
(Kankakee-jm) – Several church groups and the United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties are helping coordinate efforts to clean up from last week’s Tornado in Kankakee County. Volunteer help is welcome. Info on how to help is available online at myunitedway.org/volunteer. The United Way hotline is 815-932-7476. Volunteer efforts are being coordinated through the Kankakee County Emergency Management Agency, the Kankakee County Board, and United Way.
(USDA–dm)-Which corn producing countries are main contributors to USDA' March global production forecasts? USDA’s Rod Bain has the story
(The Center Square) – With $1.05 billion in federal broadband grants on the line, an Illinois State Senate committee heard testimony on a bill that would advance broadband infrastructure – sparking objections from critics who argue it ignores property rights. Illinois Senate Bill 3838, dubbed the Broadband Deployment Act, would streamline how internet service providers secure access to land along roadways, a change supporters say is needed to meet federal deadlines and avoid losing the funding. Opponents warn the shift would weaken longstanding protections for property owners.
(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Department of Transportation and more than 200 law enforcement agencies have St. Patrick’s Day enforcement and awareness efforts scheduled into the early hours of March 23. On St. Patrick’s Day from 2020 through 2024, IDOT data shows Illinois recorded 3,315 crashes, including 10 fatal incidents involving alcohol or cannabinoids.
WPXN News notes…
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 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.
The Paxton Carnegie Library will hold a 4-H reading and art hour on Monday, March 23rd from 4-5 pm.
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.
