(Springfield-jm) – A plan moving in the state capitol could require employers to pay people while they serve on a jury. The bill would require businesses with more than 25 workers to pay their employees the regular pay rate during jury duty. Sponsors say this is an attempt to address the financial disincentives that exist for potential jurors to serve. Federal courts pay jurors $50 per day. However, county courts provide a minimal rate. The National Federation of Independent Business opposes the plan, as they believe employees should be paid by the government for jury duty.
(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois bill could help speed up lead service line replacement. The state is currently in the process of replacing these hazardous pipes, but the project has faced some roadblocks. This plan ensures utility companies can access service lines located on private property at no cost to the property owner. It also expands who can authorize and perform the replacement.
(Watseka–dm)- 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emmington tells us about a free Health Fair in Watseka on Wednesday June 10th
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emmington
(Champaign-jm) – One person was hospitalized in serious condition after being stabbed multiple times in Champaign on Saturday. Officers with the Champaign Police Department responded to the report of a stabbing in the 1000 block of Crescent Drive. Once they arrived on-scene, officers found a 37-year-old victim with multiple stab wounds. Police investigated and soon learned that the stabbing happened in the 2600 block of West Springfield Avenue, a mile away. The victim fled looking for help, and eventually arrived at Crescent Drive. No arrests have been made.
(Paxton–dm)-The Ford County Board will hold their Monthly meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include opening sealed bids for water way and terrace Maintenance on County Farms #2 an#3. Discussion on compensation for the Ford County Sheriff and the Ford County Clerk. Also discussion on purchasing portable scales for the sheriff’s department.. Also possible action regarding township tax levy. The Meeting is scheduled for 6pm in the sheriff’s boardroom at the jail.
(USDA–dm)-What do some of the early weather indicators point to in the way of autumn time conditions, particularly during the months of harvest? Rod Bain has the story.
(The Center Square) – Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, say more than 90 pieces of budget legislation will be consolidated and introduced as House Bill 131 and Senate Bill 2512. Welch and Harmon issued a joint statement saying the compiled language would ensure that all interested parties have time to review and offer thoughtful feedback. In previous years, Welch and Harmon have sponsored shell bills that were stuffed with line items and passed during the final hours of session.
(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Federation of Teachers has released a “Mega Project, Mega Loss” calculator it says quantifies how much towns and schools stand to lose under megaprojects legislation in the General Assembly. The teachers union said the current bill signifies the largest transfer of responsibility for revenue to fund schools and services from private developers to individual property owners in the state’s history.
(Melvin–jc) It’s time to release your talents at the Ford County Fair. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton leaders are expected to learn more about a state grant to repair the Clayton Haile walk bridge when they meet on Tuesday night. The city
Was awarded a 250 thousand dollar grant for the safe routes to school grants administered by the state. The popular walk bridge has been closed for jus over one year pending structural repairs. The city council meets on Tuesday night.
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has returned a case involving an Illinois law banning electronic processing fees on taxes and tips to district court, citing the federal Comptroller of the Currency’s order issued last month to prevent the law from taking effect as scheduled July 1. The appellate court said the district court should address briefs filed by plaintiffs and the Comptroller of the Currency in favor of the order and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s contention that the Comptroller’s rule and order are invalid. The oral arguments scheduled for May 13 were cancelled.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate is moving forward with a plan to help you see fees included in your utility bill. The bill could require an online portal detailing utility charges to consumers, separate from delivery and supply charges. The website would include the laws that allow them to charge customers and break down what fees are paid to the state or kept by the utility company.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate unanimously passed a bill to require transparency for third party hotel booking websites to protect customers. Sponsors say many people use these sites thinking they are booking a room directly with the hotel, but they often find extra fees, errors or other issues after they pay. Some customers have even paid for rooms on third party sites and arrived at their destination to find out they never booked with the hotel. Illinois is the first state in the country to try and address the issue.
(Danville–jc) With the school year in its final weeks throughout East Central Illinois and the state, the look ahead to what’s next is in the minds of high school graduates. The East Central Illinois Action Agency, based in Danville, has a program to help. East Central Illinois Action Agency Leading Family Coordinator Tori Brigham talks about their scholarship program for students in Vermilion, Iroquois and Ford Counties…
East Central Illinois Action Agency Leading Family Coordinator Tori Brigham
More information is found by contacting the agency in Danville
(St. Joseph-jm) – Illinois State Police Trooper Corey S. Thompsen, who died in the line of duty in October 2024, will soon have his name memorialized at a place near and dear to his family. The part of County Road 1900E that runs over I-74 will soon be called Trooper Corey S. Thompsen Memorial Overpass, after a resolution passed the State House last week.
(Gibson City–dm-Gibson City Council will hold their Monthly Meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include the appointment of LeAnn Seymour to the Farmer’s Market Committee, consider a quote form K&K for prep and painting of flagpoles at city hall in the amount of $3900. Also the council will consider a donation for the 250th celebration on July 11th, and approval of a TIF District between the City and Eric and Tammy Lundquist. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7pm at the City Council Chambers.
(Rantoul–jc) You will see members of the Rantoul Paxton V F W Post 67-50 at the corner of Route 45 and 136 on Wednesday from 7am to 4pm. The local service group will be gathering funds for a building project and their other charities says Rantoul Paxton V F W Post 67-50 Spokesperson Joe Manka…
Rantoul Paxton V F W Spokesperson Joe Manka
(The Center Square) – A Democratic state senator says the federal government is to blame for 150,000 Illinoisans losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, but a Republican senator says Illinois’ high error rate for payments will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. During an Illinois Senate Revenue Committee hearing recently, state Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, asked state Sen. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago, why she thought 150,000 Illinoisans lost federal food assistance. DeWitte said the Illinois Department of Human Services director suggested during a budget hearing the night before that federal cuts were not the reason, but instead it was because people no longer qualify.
(Paxton–jc) Ford Count leaders will start the process to hire a new Ford County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator this week. Current Ford County Emergency Management Agcncy Coordinator Terry Whitebird stepped down from the position he has held since 20-19. Whitebird has served as an emergency official in the area for over 20 years. No timetable for a new appointment was provided
(Illinois–dm)-Illinois fuel prices dipped slightly on Friday, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.99, down less than a penny from the day before. The average price for diesel is $5.98. The national averages are $4.55 for unleaded and $5.67 for diesel.
(Springfild–jc) Illinois Department of Transportation says it will distribute $12 million in federal funds for 68 Safe Routes to School projects around the state.
The projects include 49 thousand dollars to the town of St Joseph and 50 thousand dollars to the town of Tolono for community travel plans. The village of Rantoul received 250 thousand dollars for sidewalk and route repair on streets around J W Eater Junior High in the village. The city of Pontiac also received 250 thousand dollars for streets around schools. The 250 thousand dollar grant to Paxton for the Clayton Haile walk bridge was also part of the grant program Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said the projects range from improving neighborhood infrastructure near schools to supporting community educational and safety programs.
WPXN news notes…
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 Onarga American Legion will hold their fish fry on Friday, May 15th from 4:30-7 pm at the Legion Hall at Durham Park.
Gibson City’s Friday Night Under the Lights will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 15, featuring a car cruise, food vendors and live music downtown on Sangamon Avenue.
