(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are working to pass legislation meant to protect homeowners from deceptive and high pressure contractor practices that often follow severe weather. State Senator Michael E. Hastings said Senate Bill 3029 would prevent contractors from offering home repair or remodeling services while severe weather or natural disasters are actively occurring, while emergency crews are responding, or between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. Hastings also said that for at least 72 hours after a disaster proclamation is issued, contractors would not be allowed to solicit a contract with a consumer in person for home repair or remodeling services. The consumer, however, would still be allowed to reach out to contractors first during these scenarios.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Senate Republicans hope to see lawmakers pass multiple bills in the coming weeks to protect children on social media. One of their plans could require age restrictions for social media platforms, noting that companies should take reasonable steps to block kids 16 and younger from creating accounts. A separate bill would require social media sites to disclose the algorithms they use to determine the content users see. Another plan could require social media companies to strengthen privacy protections, set safer default settings and limit manipulative design practices that negatively impact children. Senate Bill 3945 states that businesses displaying porn should require customers to show their government-issued ID or records of public or private transactions to confirm they are 18. Companies would also face a $5,000 fine for each day they fail to have age verification methods.
(Champaign-jm) – One person was hurt following a shooting in Champaign Tuesday evening. Police were called to the Schnucks on Mattis Avenue for a report of a shooting with injuries. The victim was found several blocks away. They were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
(Washington–jc) The spring planting season is set to move again after local rains on Monday. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the corn crop progress in the state and midwest…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Savoy-jm) – University of Illinois Willard Airport will be hosting an event next week to register travelers for the T-S-A PreCheck program. The program allows identified “low-risk” travelers to be screened faster and more efficiently than normal when going through airport security. Between May 5 and May 8, people can register for the program at Willard Airport. Appointments will be prioritized ahead of walk-ins. Applicants will need to bring proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency and pay an application fee at the time of their appointment
(Paxton–jc) The United States National Day of Prayer is set for Thursday May 7th this year. This is the 75th year for the event which sees 40 to 50 thousand praying events around the county. Locally, one of those events is set for 8am to 8pm on May 7th says Local organizer Sherry Heiser…
National Day of Prayer, local organizer Sherry Heiser of Paxton. The Church of Christ will be open from 8am to 8pm for all. More information is found on-line at National-day-of-prayer-dot-org
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new sports complex in Springfield will bring in an estimated $25 million of annual economic activity.
A statement from Pritzker’s office said SCHEELS Sports Park represents more than $60 million in public-private investment.The governor joined local officials and business leaders at the facility’s opening on Tuesday.
(Rantoul–jc) Members of the St Malachy Church and St Malachy School are set to break ground in early May on an addition to the school grounds in Rantoul
The ground breaking ceremony for the new Saint Dominic Hall is set for Sunday after the 9-30 Mass at the Church in the village. The New Saint Dominic Hall will include easy access to the building, modern restrooms, an entrance breezeway, gathering spaces and more. The goal is to raise One and a half million dollars for the project. Completion is anticipated to be December of this year as St Malachy’s Church celebrates its 125th anniversary in Rantoul. That date is December 6th.
(The Center Square) – Progressive lawmakers in Washington D.C. introduced legislationTuesday that would increase the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour.
The proposal – put forward by Illinois members of Congress – could have severe impacts on businesses across the country, according to critics. It is known as the ‘Living Wage for All Act.’ The federal minimum wage currently stands at $7.25 per hour, which lawmakers noted has not changed since 2009. U S Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Democrat from Chicago, was one that put Illinois on track to a 15 dollar minimum wage now and in July that will go up to 17 dollars per hour. Most small business groups oppose the huge increase saying it will eliminate jobs and cause small businesses to go “out of business.”
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education is launching a new statewide program to recognize schools that support military-connected students and families. The Purple Star School program and its related designation will highlight schools that take steps to address the unique academic and social-emotional needs of students in military families. These students often experience frequent school transitions that can disrupt academic progress and access to programs and services, along with taking a social and emotional toll on them. Schools that the program will recognize, ISBE said, take proactive steps to reduce barriers and ensure continuity and support for military families.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate Criminal Law Committee unanimously passed a bill Tuesday to ensure people in the Department of Corrections are not charged unreasonable fees for sending mail. Sponsors say it is important that families stay connected with their loved ones, and the state should not make that process harder. The bill would ensure committed people and their correspondents are not charged any fee, surcharge, or cost for mail and scanning services exceeding the standard postage rate.
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a single vehicle accident on I–57 south of town Tuesday evening. It happened around 8:30 pm near mile marker 258. One lane in each the northbound and southbound lanes were closed because of the crash. There's no word on if there were any injuries.
(Paxton–jc) The first Friday free concert is set for this Friday night in Downtown Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says the Philo Country Opry performs at 7 on Friday night and concessions opens at 6pm…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Urbana-jm) – The City of Urbana is planning a public townhall meeting on alternative public safety models. The event will be held Friday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers. This will be the first Community Engagement event of the Alternative Response Task Force. The Law Enforcement Action Partnership will present comparative findings from over 85 cities, alongside an analysis of Urbana's 911 response data. The presentation will be followed by a townhall-style dialogue on the future of alternative public safety in Urbana.
(Watseka–hc) The Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation has awarded some scholarships to members. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker says he would like the Legislative Inspector General to work faster on reported sexual harassment allegations against state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield.Pritzker said on Tuesday that the case has been going on for months and there should already have been a report to leadership.
(Charleston–jc) – Eastern Illinois University’s television station has announced plans to stream its programming next fall after the station’s last broadcast on May 15. The Daily Eastern News reports that WEIU-TV’s uncertain future began last July when P–B-S funding was cut nationally and roughly 80% of the station’s funding was lost as a result.
(Buckley–jc) Organizers with the 20-26 “Knight for Christ” Fundraiser are seeking donations for their silent and live auction The event is set for August 22nd at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin. It is the major fundraiser for Christ Lutheran High School says Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz…
Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz
(Urbana–jc) The Trump administration dedicated Operation Midway Blitz in a press release to 20-year-old Katie Abraham, who was killed last year in a drunken driving accident in Urbana, in Champaign County, by a Guatemalan man residing in the U.S. without legal status. But her mother said the administration never sought her permission to use her daughter’s name in furtherance of its political agenda, an association she says her daughter would not want. Denise Lorence, Abraham’s mother, says her daughter would have hated the use of her name by any politician. Abraham’s father, Joe Abraham, has been supportive of President Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign
(Chicago–jc) –At least two Chicago aldermen are calling for changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act after a man with seven felony convictions escaped electronic monitoring and allegedly killed Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew on Saturday. Alderman Silvana Tabares said in a social media post that Springfield must change the law to expand detainable offenses, strengthen revocation of pretrial release, allow for consideration of criminal history for detainment, and close the 48-hour window for electronic monitoring. Alderman Raymond Lopez said repeat violent offenders should not be given electronic monitoring.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is The Poploft in Paxton and Gilman. The Pop Loft carries flowers, gifts and more and they are ready for Mother’s Day. The store has 2 locations…on Market Street in downtown Paxton and in downtown Gilman. The Pop Loft Owner Samantha “Sam” Magers talks about preparing for Mother’s Day…
She says each Wednesday is “Winnie Wednesday” and that means a free flower for kids…
The Pop Loft of Paxton and Gilman Owner Samantha Magers
The Pop Loft of Paxton and Gilman is the WPXN Business of the Day, today
WPXN News notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, May 8th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The Harvest Moon Twin Drive In will hold their Spring Fling Craft and Vendor Show Mother’s Day Market on Saturday, May 9th from 9-2.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, May 13th from 8-9 am at the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce office.
The Champaign Park District will hold a touch a truck at Sholem Park on Wednesday, May 13th from 4-7 pm.
Rankin townwide garage sales will take place Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th.
The nonprofit group Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair on Friday, May 15th from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Gym in Roberts.
The Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection event will take place on Saturday, May 16th from 8-noon at Parkland College.
