(Springfield-jm) – Illinois added 18 thousand jobs in January however the state’s unemployment rate rose. The Illinois Department of Employment Security released new numbers Thursday showing the state’s unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points up to 4.9 percent. The 18 thousand jobs added in January is the largest monthly increase since June 2023.

 

(Springfield–dm)-Fewer businesses of Illinois’diversity-preferred group got State contracts last year.  WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has more

   

(Champaign-jm) – A second teenager has been arrested after a deadly shooting at MarketPlace Mall in Champaign last month. A second 15 year old was arrested on a warrant for aggravated battery with a firearm. 16 year old Jaylen Bailey of Champaign was shot and killed near the Dick’s House of Sport on March 21st.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Some state legislators are blasting the Pritzker Administration on the property tax plans for Illinoisans. 65th District State Representative Dan Ugaste says the governor and democrats are out of touch with the needs of Illinois taxpayers…

 

65th District State Representative Dan Ugaste    (you-'GAS-tee)

 

(Undated-jm) – Sam’s Club is raising its membership prices starting next month. Starting May 1st membership fees will increase $10. The basic membership will now cost $60 a year, up from $50. The Plus membership will now cost $120, up from $110.

 

 

(Gibson City–jc) The growth of clinics and other health service locations are receiving “good” feedback for Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services. Gibson Area Hospital Spokesperson Bill Kirby talks about the initial feedback on some of the newest locations of Gibson Area Hospital in Urbana and Bloomington…

   

Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Spokesperson Bill Kirby

 

(Champaign–jc)  –The Illinois Flash Index for March 2026 fell again to 101-point-2 from its 101-point-3 level in February. This is a continuation of the trend that began a year ago of a gradually slowing economy. University of Illinois Professor Emeritus Fred Giertz says the Illinois economy is still growing at a moderate rate in line with predictions for the national economy of relatively slow growth this year. Giertz added the war in Iran had little effect on the Illinois economy. 

 

(The Center Square) – According to a new report on energy affordability, burdensome mandates are making Illinois more expensive. The American Legislative Exchange Council’s Energy Affordability Report ranks Illinois 31st out of 50 states. Lora Current, ALEC’s senior manager of the Energy, Environment & Agriculture Task Force, says Illinois has severe policies that will increase costs. Current said Illinois gets 54% of its energy from nuclear generation, but the percentage may drop due to the state’s renewable portfolio standard of 100% by 2050. The General Assembly passed legislation last fall to lift the state’s moratorium on large nuclear projects. Current said state governments want to shut down coal and natural gas plants to meet renewable portfolio standards.

 

(Washington–jc)  -- The Department of Justice says it has reached a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act with the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois.The D–O-J says Atlanta Betterment Fund, which owns and operates the museum, agreed to resolve an A-D-A complaint by making 24 improvements to its building and facilities.

 

(Duquoin–jc)  –Tickets are set to go on sale this morning for performances by Kameron Marlowe and Ashley Cooke at Du Quoin State Fair.

The country stars are scheduled as co-headliners on Sunday, August 30. Ticket prices range from $30 to $40. The Du Quoin State Fair runs from August 28th to September 7th.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill moving through the Illinois House could ensure people in the Department of Corrections are not charged unreasonable fees for sending mail. The plan also requires more transparency surrounding the Department of Corrections mail scanning process. Bill sponsor Representative Rita Mayfield said her plan would ensure committed people and their correspondents are not charged any fee, surcharge or cost for mail or scanning services that exceed the standard postage rate.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Budget negotiations in the state capitol continue concerning funding for the University of Illinois. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…

   

(Ford County-jm) – Ford County Probation Services has a new way for people to access resources, helping them re-enter society or get back on their feet. The county added a new computer resource area. Its goal is to provide the tools and technology necessary for those on probation to complete employment, housing, and educational tasks. If you or someone you know wants to use the resources, you have to call ahead of time for a supervised session. The service runs from 8:30 a.m. To 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

(Watseka–dm)-Iroquois Memorial Hospice is observing their 30th anniversary this year, and was just awarded a 5 star rating.  Administrator for Home and Hospice Care, Mitch Haas tells us some home care that hospice provides.

   

Iroquois MemorialAdministrator for Home and Health care Mitch Haas

 

CHAMPAIGN – The City of Champaign congratulates the University of Illinois’ men’s basketball team for surging through the NCAA tournament and earning their way to the Final Four. The City also thanks and congratulates our students, residents, and visitors who celebrated the Illini’s Elite Eight win last weekend in a safe and responsible manner. Ensuring public safety is the City of Champaign’s top priority. To make sure the upcoming Final Four celebrations are as safe and successful as last weekend’s, the City is implementing Emergency Orders in a defined area around campus to promote the safety and welfare of the public by placing a few limits on alcohol sales on Saturday. .

 

CHICAGO – Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging for a swift passage of legislation to permanently allow year-round sales of E15 gasoline and bring long term certainty. In the letter to leadership of the U.S. House on Environment and Public Works and Senate Energy and Commerce Committees, Governor Pritzker stressed that instability in global energy supply chains from the war in Iran along with tariffs  have tightened margins for farmers across Illinois and increased gas prices for consumers.

 

(Buckley–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Buckley based Christ Lutheran High School. The local Christian high school started in 1997 and continues to offer a leading high school curriculum and Christ centered perspective. Christ Lutheran Executive Director Sandy Spitz talks about teaching the students and preparing them for life…

 

 

Christ Lutheran Executive Director Sandy Spitz talks about the four day school week…

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz

The school has its annual “knight for Christ” fundraiser set for August 22nd at the Ford County Fairgrounds. 

Christ Lutheran High School is the WPXN Business of the day, today.

 

 

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.

 

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerich's staff will be at the St Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 7th from 11-2 to help reunite citizens with missing money property through the I-Cash program.