(Springfield–jc)--Last Friday was the 3rd reading deadline in the Illinois House. That was the last day for Illinois House bills to be moved to the Illinois Senate.
Reaction to the action from 101st District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Hindsboro..
101st District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Hindsboro
(Champaign–jc) –In order to facilitate Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend activities, numerous temporary road closures will occur. These closures will occur in stages beginning today and go through Saturday. Closures include
Today - Green Street Mile tonight between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. First Street between Kirby Avenue and Green Street; Green Street between First Street and Neil Street, closed prior to and during the race.
Friday, April 24 – 4th Mile/27th Mile – 1:00 p.m. Kirby Avenue between First Street and Fourth Street, closed for the duration of the weekend’s events.
Friday, April 24 – 5K - 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Oak Street, Gregory Drive, First Street, Green Street, Sixth Street, closed prior to and during race.
Saturday, April 25 - Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K – Various streets in Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.,
Detailed maps can be found at IllinoisMarathon.com.
(Gibson City–jc) –Gibson City leaders continue to look at the potential of a solar farm. The proposed project would be on the cities North-East side. A city planning commission voted to oppose the project. The full Gibson City Council is expected to take up the issue when they meet in May in monthly session.
(Normal–jc) The Delta Omega Chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon , national professional fraternity in sales, marketing, and management, at Illinois State University made history by earning third place in the Lewis F. Gordon Top Gold Chapter award. This makes it the third best P-S-E chapter in the nation following the 2025 operating year – its highest ranking ever.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Three University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty members have been elected members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the oldest honorary societies in the United States. Deana McDonagh, Kenneth Suslick and Tandy Warnow are among the 252 inductees for 2026. Founded in 1780, the Academy recognizes scientists, artists, scholars and leaders who have distinguished themselves in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
(Springfield–jc) – After Illinois House Speaker Democrat Chris Welch filed a bill to again redistrict election maps, sharp reaction coming from Republicans in Springfield. 73rd District State Representative Ryan Spain, Republican from Peoria says this goes beyond “gerrymandering”...
73rd District State Representative Ryan Spain, Republican from Peoria
CHAMPAIGN – Champaign Information Technologies Director Mark Toalson has announced his plans to retire after more than 18 years of service to the City of Champaign. Toalson’s last day of employment with the City will be August 14th. Toalseon says he is truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the City of Champaign.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker has announced a new 5% tax credit to incentivize green film and television production. Under the program, productions recognized as “certified green” through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Illinois Film Office will be eligible.
(Springfield–jc0 The National Institute for Early Education Research’s 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook says Illinois remained 20th in the nation for preschool access for 4-year-olds and fell from third to fourth in serving 3-year-olds.
The report said state spending rose seven percent over the previous year when adjusted for inflation
(Washington–jc) -U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin on Wednesday met with members of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce in his Washington office to discuss economic development and infrastructure investment in Central Illinois. During the meeting, Durbin and the local leaders spoke about the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, which Durbin has helped secure more than $247 million in federal funding to complete. Durbin also received an update about infrastructure projects the City is undertaking, as well as projects at Lincoln Land Community College, and Public Schools District 186.
(Springfield–jc) More reaction from conservatives in Springfield over the attempt by the majority democrats in Springfield to look to a state amendment to further put the Illinois District maps in additional favor of the Democratic Party. 67th District State Representative Dan Ugaste (“U-gas-tee) of St Charles says this continues to be an attempt for the Democrats to take over the whole state of Illinois…
67th District State Representative Republican Dan Ugaste of St Charles
(Gibson City–jc) Gibson City is getting ready for its spring and summer’s farmers market. The first market of the season is set for June 2nd. The city’s farmers market committee will meet at 6 tonight. The topics range from a vendor meeting in May, to helping hands and the first market in June.
(The Center Square) – The Illinois House has passed legislation to provide tax incentives for the Chicago Bears and other megaprojects worth $100 million or more. House Bill 910 passed on Wednesday night by a vote of 78-32. The Bears have threatened to relocate to Indiana if it did not receive the tax incentives it wanted to relocate from Soldier Field on Chicago's Lakefront instead of property it purchased at the former Arlington Parks former horse race track.
(Champaign–jc) The events for the 20-26 Christie Clinic Race Weekend start later today in Champaign-Urbana. Christie Clinic Race Weekend Director Jan Seeley says a health fair is set at the ARC on the University of Illinois campus…
Christie Clinic Race Weekend Director Jan Seeley
Race events and more run through Saturday. The annual Marathon steps off at 7-33 on Saturday morning
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. —University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduate students Sameer Abbasi from Urbana and Lyndon Shi of Vernon Hills have received Boren Awards. David L. Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program to increase U.S. expertise in languages and cultures in world regions critical to U.S. interests.
(The Center Square) – An Illinois attorney general candidate launched a new initiative to reform the SAFE-T Act.The law enacted a number of criminal justice reforms across Illinois in 2021, and brought about the elimination of cash bail.
Republican Illinois Attorney General candidate Bob Fioretti announced the creation of a new Illinois Public Safety & Accountability Commission, led by retired Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel. One issue Fioretti sees with current law is how it handles electronic monitored release of inmates, which has been widely expanded since the 2023 law eliminating cash bail statewide.
(Cissna Park–jc) –Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Knapp and Steiner True Value Hardware in downtown Cissna Park. The business is owned by the Jim McCray family. Knapp and Steiner True Vale Store Manager Michael McCray says the store is ready for Spring with soil, seeds and mulch to flowers and more…
McCray says the store is readyfor mothers day too…
Knapp and Steiner True Value Store Manager Michael McCray
The store is located in downtown Cissna Park across from the park. Knapp and Steiner True Value is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich supper on Friday, April 24th from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, April 25th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.
The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday, April 25th from 9-2.
The Onarga Fire Department will hold their taco fundraiser on Saturday, April 25th from 10 until they are sold out at Durham Park. Cost is $3 per taco.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Emo Night Live with the All American Throwbacks on Saturday, April 25th at 8pm.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Roberts will hold a free spaghetti supper on Sunday, April 26th from 4-6:30 pm at the Roberts Gym.
Gospel singer Kelley Dupius will perform at the Paxton Church of Christ on Sunday, April 26th at 7pm.
