(Undated-jm) – Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, significant changes were made to federal student loans and aid. One of the biggest areas of change was Parent PLUS loans. Under the changes, the maximum that a parent can borrow each year is going to be $20,000 and the cumulative total is $65,000. The maximum is per student. Students who have questions about their financial aid packages should connect with their school’s financial aid office.

 

(Normal–jc)  A group of Illinois State University employees say they may walk off the job as soon as Wednesday. AFSCME Local 1110 members voted to authorize a strike last week. According to a statement on the union’s website, workers are “fed up with the administration’s refusal to agree to fair wages.”

 

(Champaign–dm)-This Thursday April 9th the Champaign Police Dept. will hold their Employee Awards Ceremony.  Champaign Police Dept. Public Information Officer Joe Lamberson tells us what awards will be given out.

   

Champaign Police Dept. Public Information Officer Joe Lamberson

 

(Champaign-jm) – Crime Stoppers of Champaign County is asking for help identifying the suspects accused of threatening residents at an event on March 29th. Champaign Police officers responded to a criminal damage case in the 800 block of South First Street. Several male suspects had been denied entry. They reportedly left before coming back with face masks on. One of the suspects had a black firearm, and he allegedly pointed it at the residents. Later, one of the suspects threw a brick through a window at the residence. Police are looking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects. They were generally described as Black males between 16-19 years old, all wearing black clothing. Contact Crimestoppers with information.

 

(Gibson City–jc)  – The Harvest Moon Twin Drive Inn in Gibson City has a busy slate of events for movies and more in April. Harvest Moon Twin Drive Inn Co-Owner Ben Harroun says among the events is a “prom” theme weekend…

   

Harvest Moon Twin Drive Inn Co Owner Ben Harroun

 

(Paxton–jc)  -  Ford County Board Finance committee members will look at the salaries for the counties Clerk and Treasurer positions. The committee is set to meet on Friday morning at 10 in the small courtroom in the courthouse in Paxton . 

 

(Loda–dm)-On Sunday April 12th, the Loda United Methodist Church will be hosting a gospel Concert featuring Adams Voice from Nashville.  LodaUnited Methodist Church Spokesperson Larry Eyer tells us more.

   

Loda United Methodist Church Spokesperson Larry Eyer

 

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to decide whether individuals can carry firearms on public transportation. The court declined to take up Schoenthal v. Raoul, which challenges an Illinois law banning citizens from carrying firearms on public transportation. Three Illinois residents challenged the ban, arguing it violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Illinois requires gun owners to acquire a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card and a concealed carry license in order to carry a firearm in public. However, the state bans individuals from carrying a loaded or unsecured firearm onto buses, trains or any other type of public transportation that is paid for in part or whole by public funds.

 

 

(Undated-jm) – Gas prices continue to rise as the Iranian conflict continues. GasBuddy reports prices rose another 8.1 cents in the last week, averaging $4.27 a gallon. Prices are 81 cents higher than a month ago and 79.2 cents higher than a year ago. The national average price for diesel increased 20.7 cents compared to a week ago and now stands at $5.58 per gallon. GasBuddy’s Patrick DeHaan says consumers are poised for another jolt this week as last week’s surge in wholesale costs have yet to be fully passed through.

 

(Danville-jc)  A Vermilion County man, reported missing, was found dead on Monday. Authorities say the Vermilion County’s Sheriff’s department was contacted about 30 year old Timothy Strader of Danville. The family lost contact with Strader for over 10 days. The investigation into the death continues for Vermilion County authorities.

 

(Pekin–jc)--Sunset Lanes in Pekin is set to close later this month as the bowling center’s owner says it is being “taxed out of business.” James Keith told the Peoria Journal Star that property taxes, sales taxes and licensing fees have forced entertainment centers to raise their prices.  Keith also said gaming machines are no longer profitable for his business due to increased state and local licensing fees.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Those interested in hearing about the lives of senior citizens can do so by volunteering. Accolade of Paxton Activities Director Alice McDowell says the residents have great stories to tell, but need someone to hear them…

 

 

Accolade of Paxton Activities Director Alice McDowell. Accolade of Paxton Senior Living has two locations in the city of Paxton . 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a single vehicle accident on I–57 near Paxton. It happened around 7pm in the southbound lanes about a mile north of town. The accident involved a car versus a deer.

 

The Center Square) – A proposed Illinois bill aimed at addressing firefighter shortages by lowering the minimum hiring age has stalled in the legislature after failing to be called before a key deadline. State Representative. Jed Davis, Republican Yorkville, is behind House Bill 1098, which would amend the state’s municipal code and Fire Protection District Act to allow individuals as young as 18 to serve as full-time firefighters. Current law requires firefighters to be at least 21 years old. Davis said the measure is designed to tackle ongoing staffing shortages while opening the door for younger adults seeking alternatives to college.

 

(USDA–dm)-Planting season is among the busiest times on the farm, sometimes adding to stress for a grower. What are some techniques to reduce stress?  Rod Bain has the story.

 

 

(Chicagp–dm)-Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says Chicago Public Schools students should be in school May 1, even though the Chicago Teachers Union called for students and teachers to skip school and work so they could join protests against federal immigration law enforcement and in favor of higher taxes on wealthy people. Mendoza said in a social media post that kids need more time in the classroom, not less, and the focus should be on the city’s test scores, not its politics.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – The Illinois Department of Transportation says more law enforcement officers will be on the lookout during April for texting, social media use, video viewing and other forms of distracted driving. IDOT says 253 people died and 28,271 people were injured in crashes involving distractions between 2020 and 2024 in Illinois.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is The Community Service Center of Rantoul. The local not for profit has a fundraiser set for Thursday April 23rd at the Rantoul Knights of Columbus Hall. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says get ready for a “fabulous” night…

 

Crawford says the goal of the fundraiser is raise as much money as possible to support the food pantries,  clothing center, youth support and more…

 

Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford.

Among other services, Community Service Center offers several food pantries, including one for Rantoul High School students

Community Service Center of Rantoul is the WPXN Business of the day, today

WPXN News notes…

 

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

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Onarga American Legion on Wednesday, April 8th from 1-6 pm.

 

The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Supper on Friday, April 10th from 4:30-7:30pm

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, April 10th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.

 

The Paxton Buckley Loda High School Choir will put on their performance of Into the Woods on Friday, April 10th, Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th at 7pm each night.

St Peters Free Lutheran Church in Melvin is hosting a Biscuits and Gravy and Hasbrown breakfast Saturday April 11th from 8am until 11am. It is a fundraiser for the church

 

A Spring craft and vendor event will be held on Saturday, April 11th from 9-3 at the Kruse Center in Gibson City.