(Undated–jm) – Another round of severe storms is possible this afternoon across much of the WPXN listening area. An enhanced risk or level 3 out of 5 is anticipated this afternoon for all of Ford, McLean, Livingston, Piatt, the western half of Iroquois and Kankakee, northwest corner of Vermilion and all except the southeastern corner of Champaign County. The rest of the area is under a slight risk or level 2 out of 5. The primary threats include tornadoes (some strong), damaging winds up to 70 mph and large hail. Storms are expected to start this afternoon and go through the early overnight hours.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Every Illinois State Police officer that has been killed in the line of duty was honored on Wednesday, otherwise known as “Illinois Trooper Day.” In a press release, State Police said in a collaborated announcement with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway and the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, every trooper killed in the line of duty is being honored for their sacrifice for the people of Illinois with a memorial sign along Illinois roadways.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie Republican from Savanna was part of a House Republican press conference Wednesday morning concerning the governor's recent comments on property taxes.

McCombie says while Illinois residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation, Governor Pritzker continues to pass the buck on one of the biggest challenges Illinois families face year after year, local schools…

   

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Republican from Savanna

 

(Charleston-jm) – It could soon cost more to attend Eastern Illinois University. The Board of Trustees is considering a 5 percent increase in how much students pay for room and board. That equates to a $300 to $400 increase. The university cited the new collective bargaining agreement for staff, labor costs going up and an increase in food prices for the increase.

 

(Roberts-jm) – The village of Roberts is asking residents to stay away from a partially collapsed abandoned building. The building is located on Green Street and is considered a private residence. The village put up a fence around the property to try and keep people away. The village estimates it would cost as much as $150,000 to demolish the property, money they don’t have. 

 

(Rantoul–jc)  There are baseball and softball games planned for this Friday and Saturday at the Rantoul Sports Complex. Rantoul Sports Director of Operations Brandun Denton says the goal of the staff is to make your visit to the local sports complex, a happy one…

   

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandun Denton. On Friday and Saturday it's the Rantoul Township High School Softball and Baseball Invite at the complex on Rantoul’s west side. 

 

(Rockford–jc)  –Four Rockford men are facing drug conspiracy and drug distribution charges for allegedly trafficking cocaine. Prosecutors say an investigation led by the FBI and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrests of Amjed Alsadun, 38, Ahmed Alsadun, 38, Namario L. Haley, 30 and Will A. Evans, 32.

 

(The Center Square) – A University of Illinois professor says the economic benefit of the school’s men's basketball team reaching the NCAA Final Four will easily outweigh the potential costs. The Fighting Illini are scheduled to play Connecticut in Indianapolis on Saturday. Jason Satchell, teaching assistant professor of finance at U of I, said the Final Four appearance would bring the school millions of dollars worth of exposure, plus participation funds from the NCAA. Satchell said Indianapolis will benefit from the Illini being in the Final Four. San Antonio officials said the 2025 Final Four at the Alamodome generated $440 million in economic impact with just under $100 million in direct spending.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill proposed in Springfield would allow renters and residents in multi-unit housing to use optional plug in energy systems to help lower utility costs. The Plug In Illinois Act would expand access to solar energy for people who are currently unable to install traditional systems because they rent or don’t meet installation requirements. The panels would be able to plug into a standard outlet and be placed on balconies, patios or yards. Fire officials have raised concerns about residents installing the systems themselves without professional oversight. If approved landlords and homeowners associations can not prohibit them from being installed.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – A Cook County treasurer’s office report shows property taxes collected over the past 30 years grew at twice the rate of inflation.  65th District State Representative Dan Ugaste of  St Charles  says the time is now for meaningful property tax reforms …

   

65th District State Representative Dan Ugaste, Republican from St Charles

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway and the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation have announced that every ISP officer killed in the line of duty will be honored with a memorial sign along Illinois roadways. ISP Director Brendan Kelly said there have been signs previously installed for some fallen troopers but not all. 73 ISP officers have died in the line of duty since the agency began providing services in 1922.

(Undated-jm) – A new COVID-19 variant being referred to as Cicada has been found in Illinois wastewater. The variant is part of the JN 1 lineage and while many of the symptoms look familiar, health officials are watching closely. The symptoms include muscle and joint aches, fever, coughing and sore throat.

 

(Washington–jc)  — Easter is Sunday. How about the eggs?  U S D A Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shares egg production, laying hen inventory and wholesale egg price changes today from one year ago..

   

U S D A Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins

 

(Champaign–jc)  Tickets for the final Ebertfest set for April 17th and 18th are now on sale. One of the movies featured for this year’s event was filmed partially in Paxton and Monticello, locally. That film is named “Chili Finger.” Actors Judy Greer and John Goodman are expected to appear at this year’s Ebertfest. 

 

(Thawville–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Thawville Community Sale. The sale is the 54th for the village, says Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow…

 

She says proceeds from the sale help various local groups…

 

Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow. Check out their facebook pages or posters for consignment information. The sale will have 4 auctioneers running at the same time as the sale starts at 10 am sharp on Saturday April 18th

 

WPXN News notes…

 

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.