(Springfield-jm) – A state board unanimously voted Thursday to approve a 204 page report detailing its investigation into misconduct by on-duty federal immigration agents amid Operation Midway Blitz. It is also sending letters to local law enforcement agencies for potential prosecution of the agents. The Illinois Accountability Commission, created by Governor J-B Pritzker was tasked with forming a public record to document the impact of the federal immigration campaign on Chicago communities, but also to produce recommendations for harm reduction and prevention of future abuses.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday that unemployment is up slightly from February, despite the state adding more than 8,000 jobs in March. The data shows that the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in March.
(Springfield–dm)-Illinois Republican House Minority Leader Tony McCombie recently held a press conference to talk about the failures of Illinois’ Safety Act.
Illinois Republican House Minority Leader Tony McCombie.
(Champaign-jm) - A 16 year old has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a Champaign grocery store earlier this week. Champaign Police made the arrest Thursday morning. The suspect was arrested on preliminary charges of aggravated battery with a firearm. The teen is accused of opening fire on an 18 year old in the Schnucks parking lot Tuesday night.
(Champaign-jm) – An on ramp to I-57 in Champaign will be closed for about two weeks. IDOT announced the on ramp to southbound I–57 from Olympian Drive will close for approximately two weeks beginning Monday, May 4th. IDOT says the work involves tying all new ramps and bridges with permanent connections. Additional closures, taking up to four weeks each, are also scheduled throughout the summer.
(Cissna Park–jc) –Thursday May 7th is the 75th National Day of Prayer. There are several events set for the area. In Cissna Park, the United Methodist Church is sponsoring a prayer event in the park pavilion in downtown Cissna Park. The praying event starts at 7-30am. The church is hosting a luncheon at 11-30. In Paxton The Paxton Church of Christ will be open for prayer for the National Day of Prayer. The church will be open with church representatives or to pray by yourself.
(USDA–dm)-Part of federal efforts to boost domestic fertilizer production include financial awards and less burdensome permitting processes regarding facility and infrastructure construction. USDA’s Rod Bain has the story.
The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a single-family home in the 70 block of Garwood Street on Thursday morning Fire crews were able to quickly get the fire under control. Once on the scene, fire crews reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the home. Multiple hose lines were deployed, and the fire was contained to the structure of origin. The cause of this fire has not been determined as investigators remain on scene conducting their investigation. There were no firefighter injuries reported. The occupant was not home at the time of the fire.
(Paxton–jc) – Sunday May 3rd the Loda American Legion Auxiliary is sponsoring a style show featuring designs from local Paxton Businesses. Loda American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Eilts has the details.
Loda American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Eilts. If you would like to purchase advance tickets, you can call Diane at 815-474-7364.
(The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has jumped 14 cents in one day. The organization’s daily gas prices website listed the average per-gallon price at $4.67 on Thursday, up from $4.53 the day before. The Illinois average one year ago was $3.41. Iowa and Missouri remain below $4 per gallon, according to AAA. The national average is $4.30.
(Chicago–jm) – Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Company customers are likely to see minor credits on their bills for the next three years, thanks to a $125 million settlement agreement announced Thursday by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. The benefit, if approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, will average around $50 annually this year and around $40 each in 2027 and 2028, or about $3-4 monthly.
(Undated-jm) – A former University of Illinois police officer was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman during an off-duty incident 8 years ago. Jerald Sandagge was tried on two counts of criminal sexual assault. A jury returned a guilty verdict on both charges following a three day trial. He will be sentenced June 12th. He is facing three other sexual abuse cases and a retrial on charges of official misconduct.
(Springfield-jm) – A bill aimed at protecting the privacy of people using medications for gender-affirming care is moving forward at the Statehouse. Capitol News Illinois reports the legislation would remove testosterone from the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program. The ILPMP is designed to protect against misuse of controlled substances. The plan would also make estrogen and the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol exempt from the program. 30th District State Senator Adraine Johnson, Democrat from Buffalo, worries the data could be used to target people who use these medications…
30th district State Senator Adraine Johnson, Democrat from Buffalo Grove. The bill passed out of a Senate committee and now heads to the Senate floor.
(Savoy-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is turning to the public to identify two people suspected of using counterfeit money at a local grocery store last week. The department says on Friday, April 24th, deputies responded to a report of counterfeit currency being used at the Schnucks in Savoy. They say a man and a woman are suspected of using counterfeit money during the incident. No description of the two were provided. Anyone with information is asked to call the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office.
(Iroquois County-jm) – Last July, Iroquois County EMA partnered with the Regroup Mass Notification System, and as of May 1st will have permanently transitioned from HyperReach. Notifications from the HyperReach platform will no longer be able to be received. The change provides Iroquois County residents with a powerful new mass notification system to keep the community informed and prepared during emergencies. The advanced Regroup platform delivers critical updates through text messages, emails, or even phone calls, ensuring timely communication when it matters most. Whether it’s severe weather or other emergency incidents that require immediate notification of Iroquois County residents, the Regroup system provides real-time alerts to help protect families, businesses, and the entire community. Iroquois County EMA encourages all residents to sign up for Regroup today to be informed and stay prepared for any situation. Together, we will build a resilient and safe community. There are three ways to sign up: scan a QR code with your mobile device, text join icema to 31002 or download the Regroup Mobile app and enter ICALERTS for registry code.
(Champaign–dm)-With a dry fall last year, and less than average snowfall this past winter,Central Illinois was classified to be in a severe drought. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady says that the rain this past week helped.
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady
(Champaign–dm)-On Monday, May 4, 2026, construction will begin on south Mattis Avenue from Windsor Road to Curtis Road in Champaign. Planned improvements include upgrading the corridor to arterial street standards with new concrete pavement, curb and gutter, storm sewers, street lighting, on-street bike lanes, and a multi-use path. The work will be completed under full closure for the duration, from May 4 through December 4, 2026 with a planned completion from the northern limit to the southern limit. Appropriate detours will be marked but generally, neighborhoods and businesses along Curtis Road will still be accessible via Duncan Road or Prospect Avenue.
(Rantoul–jc) It’s another busy weekend at the Rantoul Sports Complex as we start the month of May. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandun Denton says its soccer and more…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandun Denton
(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City Restoration Association invites you to join them this Saturday, May 2nd, for their Sip and Shop wine Hop. Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavalin has the details.
Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavalin.
(Chicagp–dm)-A Venezuelan migrant who was in the United States illegally has
pleaded not guilty to murdering Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago last month. Jose Medina, 26, entered the plea on Wednesday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago.
(Undated-jm) – It will soon cost more to shop at Sam’s Club. The company says the basic membership will increase $10 today to $60 per year. The plus version will now cost $120 per year.
(Rantoul–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Kinos Coffee. The business started in 2019 in Cissna Park and now has two additional locations with one in Paxton and one in Rantoul. Kinos Coffee Regional Manager Jessica Comstock talks about the popular business…
She says they like to partner with community groups…
Kinos Coffee Regional Manager Jessica Comstock. Kinos in Cissna Park Paxton and Rantoul 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.
Impact Life will hold a blood drive at Kirby Foods in Paxton on Saturday, May 2nd from 10 am to 1pm. To sign up for a spot email Kevin Hanson at emtcoor at hotmail dot com.
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.
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.
