(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate will not vote on a plan this week to amend the Illinois constitution with new redistricting language. House Democrats passed a resolution last week to change how legislative districts are drawn in favor of Democrats. House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch said districts should be drawn substantially equal in population, ensure citizens have equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect people on account of race. However, Senate President Don Harmon announced Wednesday that legal experts need to review the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that drastically changes the federal Voting Rights Act. Harmon explained his caucus will dissect the decision, find a path forward and continue to protect the rights of all Illinoisans.
(Normal–jc) A McLean County judge has allowed Illinois State University to hire vendors during the current strike by some workers at the university. The university will continue to hire outside workers at a weekly cost of 116 thousand dollars. Several AFSCME union workers remain on strike at Illinois State over wages and benefits. The Strike is in it’s 4th week for some janitors and groundskeepers.
(Springfield-jm) – An important deadline is approaching for some people who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and they could lose benefits Friday. Officials said people enrolled in SNAP for at least 3 months, but haven’t met certain work requirements, will lose their benefits. Changes introduced last summer require some people to work or volunteer 20 hours a week, equivalent to a part time job. There are online tools available to find places to volunteer, or to check if you’re eligible like ‘ABE screener’ or the ‘SNAP Eligibility Calculator.’
(Chicago–jc) With another Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty and surrounding facts in the case point to more problems with the Safe-T Act. Dean Abbott reports…
(Cullom–jc) – Tri Point School officials will look at the district's health, life, and safety survey when they meet on Friday in Kempton. The board meeting comes to order at 5 on Friday afternoon.
(Kankakee–jc) April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Clove Alliance is a not for profit group that assists sexual assault survivors and their families. Clove Alliance Executive Director Tracy Noe Slah says when someone comes to you after being assaulted, the important thing to remember is to believe them…
Clove Alliance Executive Director Tracy Noe Slah. Clove Alliance serves the Kankakee Iroquois and Ford County areas based in Kankakee, Watseka and Paxton
(Chicago–jc) With several strong storms causing damage across Illinois recently, Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Wednesday warned Illinois residents to be on alert for scammers looking to exploit homeowners and business owners who may need repairs from storm-related damage. Raoul cautioned residents that scammers often move quickly into communities to take advantage of people with damage to their homes or businesses. Raoul noted these “storm chasers” use the opportunity to pressure people into making quick and often expensive decisions about cleanup and construction work.
(Savoy-jm) — A Savoy street will close next week for significant repair work being done at a railroad crossing. East Church Street will be completely closed at the railroad crossing starting Monday, May 4. The closure is expected to last four to five days.
(Roberts–jc) – This year’s Roberts Fun Day is set for Saturday June 6th in the Ford County town. Roberts Fun Day Spokesperson Jessa Loveall says a breakfast kicks off the day. Other activities include bounce houses, silent auction, a bags tournament and music. Loveall says its a community welcoming event…
Roberts Fun Day Spokesperson Jessa Loveall
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Restoration Committee had their weekly Queen of Hearts drawing last night. The jackpot was $6,784. The drawing revealed the Ace of Diamonds. The pot will continue to grow til the queen is found. All the proceeds go toward the Burwell Building restoration project
(Urbana-jm) – With spring in full swing, you have probably noticed more birds in Central Illinois after wintering in warmer climates. But according to a recent study on birds in North America, their numbers have been declining for the last four decades. Ornithologists said bird populations in the area are shrinking at a faster pace every year, and some we would’ve seen flying around decades ago are all gone from most of the area. Researchers say since the late 1970s, more than half of Central Illinois’ bird population has seen a loss. They say attempts are being made to bring them back, with prairie restorations and research.
(Undated-jm) – A federal agency says Illinois can’t limit credit card swipe fees for federally chartered banks, even though a federal judge earlier this year ruled that it could. Two interim filings posted last week by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, an independent subsection of the U.S. Treasury Department, represent the latest twist in a two-year legislative fight between banks and retailers. One of the filings specifically preempts the state’s first-of-its-kind Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, throwing the policy into further uncertainty by creating a second legal front and added pressure on state lawmakers amid an ongoing appellate court case. Interchange or “swipe fees” are automatically applied to debit and credit card transactions, redirecting about 1-2% or more of a transaction’s cost from the merchant to the banks, credit unions and card companies. Given the pending court case and a hard push from financial institutions, lawmakers are considering pushing back the state law beyond its July 1 effective date that was already delayed by a year.
(Springfield-jm) – State senators could pass a bill in the coming weeks to ban companies from manufacturing or selling cosmetic products containing forever chemicals. The ban would apply to PFAS found in makeup, hair and nail products, soaps, lotion, tanning products, perfume and cologne.
(Washington–jc) The spring planting season is set to move again after local rains earlier this week. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the soybean crop progress in the state and midwest…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Urbana–jc) A cow got loose on a portion of the University of Illinois campus on Wednesday. The ranging bovine was being transported on a trailer to the University’s Vet Clinic. After a short time the animal was retrieved and sent to its original destination.
(Mahomet-jm) – The Village of Mahomet unanimously voted to raise fees for sewer and water bills. The usage rate will stay the same, so water will cost the same per gallon, but fixed-rate facility fees tacked on to the bill will go up. Those rates will increase to $10 a month for water and $15 for sewer. Customers will see the price hike beginning on their May statements.
(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College’s music ensembles will continue their spring 2026 concert season with four upcoming performances. On Sunday, May 3, Parkland’s Concert Band will perform “America 250” at the college’s Harold and Jean Miner Theatre at 3 p.m., directed by Dr. Matthew Dixon. During the same concert, the Parkland Orchestra will perform at the college’s Harold and Jean Miner Theatre, directed by Dr. Rodney Mueller. The Parkland Guitar Ensemble will perform on both Wednesday, May 6 at 6 p.m. at Parkland’s Second Stage Theatre and Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m. at the Urbana Free Library, directed by Dr. Young Kim.
(Gibson City–jc) The 20-26 Gibson Area Hospital Summer Bash is set for August 15th in the downtown area of the city. Performing full sets are Rick Springfield and Night Ranger. Gibson Area Hospital Spokesperson Bill Kirby says those who want Party passes for a discounted price have until tonight…
Gibson Area Hospital Spokesperson Bill Kirby
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate could pass a bill in the final month of session to help homeless students find housing. This plan would allow school districts to provide an extended motel stay for students and their parent, guardian or person who enrolled them in school. Sponsors said this is critical as students struggle to get to school when they don't know where they will sleep.
(Cissna Park–jc) The Cissna Park Economic Development Board is seeking the town’s input into the possibility of creating a park district for the southern Iroquois County town. The board has set up a town hall meeting set for Thursday May 5th at the community room at the Cissna Park Family Restaurant. The Cissna Park Development board invites those in the community to bring ideas on the idea. A second meeting has also been set for June 11th.
(Gibson City–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Ropp’s Flower Factory of Gibson City Paxton and Mahomet. The local business has been family owned since 1950. Ropps Flower Factory Owner Roger Cramer says “Its a golden Day at Ropps…
Roger Cramer talks about Mom for Mother’s Day…
Ropps Flower Factory of Gibson City Paxton and Mahomet Owner Roger Cramer
Ropps Flower Factory is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News notes…
The Gibson City Restoration Association will hold their Sip and Shop Wine Hop on Saturday, May 2nd. Check in begins at 10:30 am at 107 North Sangamon Avenue with the event running 11-2:30. Cost is $20 per person.
The Melvin Community Hall welcomes Eric Gordon on Saturday, May 2nd.. Doors open at 5:30pm with music starting at 7pm.
The Rankin Lions Club will hold their all you can eat pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday, May 3rd starting at 8am. Cost is a freewill donation.
The St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library is having a used book sale Monday, May 4th through Wednesday, May 27th. All sales are by donation to the library.
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.
