(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate passed a bill Thursday to create new protections for students sexually assaulted by their peers. The plan would require any student who commits sexual assault or attempted sexual assault at school, a school-sponsored event, or related activities to be expelled for at least one year. The plan passed out of the Senate on a 48-3 vote with two senators voting present. Senate Bill 939 now moves to the House for further consideration.
(Springfield–jc) –April is annually recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month to highlight the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, as the prevention services developed by this cooperation can help parents, caregivers, and communities protect children and strengthen families.104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer, Republican from Danville sponsored the resolution…
104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer, Republican from Danville
The resolution was approved by the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee , and now heads on to the full House.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House Mental Health & Addiction Committee unanimously passed a bill Thursday to improve access to suicide prevention services. Sponsors said 988 information should be visible in county shelter care homes, daycares, public libraries, colleges, hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The bill also requires school boards to include age-appropriate suicide prevention curriculum in health courses for students in sixth through 12th grade.
(Loda–dm)-The Loda Sportsman Club will hold their 2nd annual fishing derby on Saturday May 16th. Loda Sportsman Club President Chad Riggleman has the details.
Loda Sportsman Club President Chad Riggleman. If you don’t have a fishing pole there will be loaners available.
(Undated–jm) – Traffic on I-57 southbound had to be rerouted Thursday afternoon. Traffic was detoured off I-57 at Buckley and routed down Route 45 to Paxton to get back onto the interstate.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey goes over notable state corn planting progress for the period ending May 3.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College is strengthening its long-standing automotive training partnerships through a new apprenticeship collaboration with Sam Leman Automotive Group, supporting workforce development efforts in the Champaign region. Beginning in Bloomington-Normal and Peoria, the Sam Leman Automotive Group has since expanded into the Champaign area in recent years through the acquisition of two existing dealerships. Sam Leman Automotive has partnered with Parkland College to develop talent pipelines for its newest locations in Champaign Urbana
(Springfield–jc) The Illinois State Fair has scheduled a free concert with southern rock band .38 Special on August 17th. No ticket is required, but attendees must go through security screening before entering the grandstand.
Gates open at 7 p.m. on August 17th. The state fair is scheduled from Aug. 13th through the 23rd.
(Springfield-jm) – A plan moving in the Illinois House could allow not-for-profit fire departments to receive state grant funding. Many nonprofit fire departments in central and southern Illinois are currently unable to receive grant funding for equipment and building upgrades since the state only provides grants to municipal fire departments. This bill allows the State Fire Marshal to create and award grants for not-for-profit fire departments and protection districts across the state. Sponsors said this change could help ensure these departments have the resources needed to protect residents safely and effectively. Senate Bill 2645 passed unanimously out of the House Police & Fire Committee Thursday morning. The measure now moves to the House floor for further consideration.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey goes over notable state corn planting progress for the period ending May 3.
(Springfield-jm) — An Illinois Senate committee approved a bill to help local governments lower their default speed limit to enhance safety, as communities would be able to adopt lower speed limits through resolutions or ordinances. The statutory speed limit in Illinois is 30 miles per hour in urban districts, but many people frequently speed into or through cities. IDOT wants to give local governments the ability to lower the default speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour without conducting speed studies that cost roughly $20,000. The plan could also allow communities to lower the speed limits in residential areas to 20 miles per hour and 10 miles per hour for alleys.
(Paxton-jm) — Paxton first responders were called to a two vehicle accident just north of town Thursday afternoon. It happened on Route 45 at 500 north about 4:30. There’s no word on if there were any injuries.
(Gibson City–dm)-Gibson City will host their car cruze on Friday May 15th. Event Spokesperson Susie Tongate has more information.
Event Spokesperson Susie Tongate
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers are still batting around a variety of budget ideas with just a few weeks left in the legislative session.
The state remains on track to take in more revenue than originally expected this year, which provides wiggle room —though not much — for lawmakers in the budgeting process. But there remains contention about what the budget should look like, not just between the parties but also between factions of Democrats, with some demanding hefty tax increases beyond what the governor has proposed.
The Illinois Revenue Alliance, a group of progressive lawmakers and organizations such as the Chicago Teachers Union, want to raise nearly $4 billion to increase funding for social services. They’d do that by creating new taxes and eliminating tax credits, but the governor hasn’t embraced any of the proposals, which are viewed as longshots.
(Cissna Park-jm) – Ten students were recently named Illinois FFA Top 10 Chapter Presidents, recognizing their excelling role as an FFA leader. Among the top 10 is Trent Schmidt of Cissna Park FFA. The students will be recognized during the 2026 Illinois FFA State Convention.
(Gibson City–jc) – One Ford County restaurant has announced its closing as of May 17th. The Horsch Radish Restaurant in downtown Gibson City, has been in operation since 20-22 after taking over for the Bayern Stube. The restaurant group is looking for some enterprise to take over the building space in downtown Gibson City
(Undated–jc) Unemployment rates are on the rise in the area and state. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the numbers…
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County Finance committee will look at compensation for two county office holders when they meet this morning in Paxton. Those two offices are the Ford County Sheriff and The Ford County Circuit Clerk. Another topic tomorrow morning is budgeting for the Ford County Public Building Commission. The meeting starts at 10am at the courthouse in Paxton .
(Springfield–jc) –Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced transition plans for the state’s retirement savings program for private-sector workers.
Frerichs said Illinois Secure Choice will become My Illinois Savings next month and will feature lower fees and technology improvements. The treasurer’s office said no contributions, withdrawals or transactions will be processed during the transition from 3 p.m. on June 11 through June 14.
WPXN News notes…
The River Valley Church of Christ in Fisher will hold their free garage sale on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th. Hours both days are 7-noon.
The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Supper on Friday, May 8th from 4:30-7:30pm.
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.
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School’s third annual Greenhouse Plant Sale & CTE Expo is set for 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the high school’s greenhouse in Gibson City.
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.
