(Springfield-jm) — Illinois lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow for Medicaid to cover costs regarding resources for mental health services. House Bill 4495, would allow for Medicaid to cover follow up care after the initial crisis intervention. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Illinois is one advocacy group pushing for the bill to become a law. House Bill 4448 would require the state to provide Medicaid coverage for triage and stabilization services. these services, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis lifeline, assess the needs of someone experiencing a crisis and connect them with local mental health providers. Over 3 million Illinoisans were enrolled in Medicaid in 2025 according to the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services. That translates to roughly 25% percent of the state’s population.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Several “no king’s” rallies were held in the area on Saturday. In Paxton around 30 people showed up to protest at noon in the downtown area. In Champaign-Urbana several hundred people were in the protest at that location. A larger crowd was present at the “No Kings” rally in Bloomington-Normal

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with other agencies to increase enforcement in April for Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and other local law enforcement agencies across the state to step up these enforcement efforts. They said drivers should expect increased patrols looking for texting, social media use, video viewing and other distracted driving violations.

 

(Springfield–jc)  - The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has a new president and CEO scheduled to start Wednesday. Jimmy Clayton previously worked in advocacy and lobbying positions with the Illinois Realtors.Clayton takes over for interim CEO Dan Wagner, who replaced previous CEO Lou Sandoval late last year630 am 

 

(Gibson City–jc)  The area’s outdoor theatre opened over the weekend in Gibson City. The Harvest Moon Twin Drive Inn Theatre opened Friday for weekend runs through the first weeks of the season, says co-owner Ben Harroun…

   

Harvest Moon Twin Drive Inn Theatre co owner Ben Harroun

For Easter week, the local Drive Inn has shows Wednesday through Saturday night

 

(Gibson City-jm) – The Illinois Farm Bureau and the Ford County Farm Bureau are working together to give money to rural areas, and one Ford County city is benefiting.  The Gibson City Restoration Association recently received $4,000 in grant money in an effort to save the Burwell Building in downtown Gibson City. The building was the last remaining second-hand store. The restoration association purchased the building in 2021 and has been renovating it ever since. The goal is to continue construction and get this structure up and running.

 

(Washington–jc)  U-S-D-A Livestock analyst Michael McConnell looks at the March Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report. What are the supply and  demand numbers  going into the spring and summer grilling season.?

U S D A Livestock Analyst Michael McConnell

 

(Cook County–jc)  The mother of an 11-year-old boy, who was killed in an attack by his mother's ex-boyfriend after he was released from prison early by an Illinois board appointed by Governor JB Pritzker, appears to have withdrawn her lawsuit seeking to hold the state, city of Chicago, and the Cook County Sheriff responsible for his death. According to the federal court docket, attorneys for Laterria Smith voluntarily withdrew her lawsuit this monthThe dismissal was without prejudice, meaning Smith could file a new complaint to try again to sue. However, it is not clear what the next steps, if any, may be in this case.

 

(The Center Square) – A proposal to create a new energy commission has renewed policy debate over the economic and environmental impact of state policies.

State Representative . Larry Walsh Jr, Democrat from Elwood, told the Illinois House Energy and Environment Committee that House Bill 5195 would create the Illinois Future of Energy Choice and Economic Impact Commission.

Walsh said the feeling from the business community is that Illinois is facing “an insecure time coming up” when it comes to energy needs.

 

(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers could pass a plan this spring to address youth who are repeat gun offenders. Advocates told lawmakers this week that the intersection of mental health and juvenile gun crimes is a complex and pressing issue that must be addressed. This bill would require probation agencies to conduct an assessment of the minor's needs and identify restorative justice programs for high risk youth, cognitive behavioral therapy, family engagement and mentoring options.

 

(Mahomet-jm) – A Mahomet man has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and child solicitation of a child . A Champaign County Judge sentenced Matthew Morin to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.  The Champaign County authorities  investigation began in October of last year with tips from  the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Sheriff's Office identified Morin as the suspect following an investigation. During the investigation, Morin was found to have communicated online with at least 58 minors.

 

(Savoy-jm) – A $3 million renovation at Savoy’s Willard Airport is complete after years of planning.  The construction project, which began in August, brings a new TSA checkpoint to the airport. The update addresses prior overcrowding on the second floor.

 

(Batavia–jc)  A Batavia investment advisor has been sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison for inducing clients to invest in nonexistent business opportunities. Prosecutors said Ralph Rogers III, 63, also known as Tres Rogers, fraudulently obtained funds from people by falsely promising to invest their money in purported business opportunities. U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis ordered Rogers to pay $238,044.62 in restitution to his victims

 

(Thawville–jc)  The 54th annual Thawville Community Sale is coming up next month. The sale is set for Saturday April 18th starting at 10 am says Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow…

 

Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow. Those wanting to consign items are asked to look on facebook for directions

 

(CHAMPAIGN–dm) – In order to repair storm sewer and to complete associated pavement patching, A&R Services will close one westbound lane of Kirby Avenue between Oak Street and Neil Street.The closure will begin on Tuesday, March 31, and will reopen on Monday, April 6, 2026, weather permitting.  During the closure, westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in the area.

 

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says Silver Cross Hospital violated federal law by failing to provide an employee’s reasonable request for a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the E-E-O-C lawsuit filed Friday, the New Lenox hospital denied a certified surgical technologist’s request in August 2021 and retaliated by firing her in November 2021, even though she could have been accommodated without undue hardship.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Monical's Pizza of Paxton. The business is part of the pizza chain that began in 1959 in Tolono Illinois. Monicals Pizza of Paxton Manager Jason Mills says on Mondays starting at 4pm, they offer a special on pizzas…

 

Mills says the Paxton location offers the best in pizzas, lunch specials, a party room for special occasions and also delivers in and around Paxton……

 

Monicals Pizza of Paxton Store Manager Jason Mills

Monicals Pizza of Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day, today

 

WPXN News notes…

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Cissna Park American Legion on Wednesday, April 1st from 1-6pm.

 

Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, April 3rd at 10 am.

 

Arcadia in Watseka will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, April 3rd at 11 am.

 

The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, April 3rd from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.

 

 

The Gibson City Lions Club will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4th from 9-11 am at North Park.

 

The Cissna Park American Legion Auxiliary will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4th at 10 am at the park in downtown Cissna Park.

 

The Hoopeston Jaycees will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4th at 10:30 am at McFarren Park. 

 

The Pueblo Lindo in Paxton will host a Hop into Easter on Saturday, April 4th at 11 am.