(Undated-jm) – The Memorial Day Weekend travel plans are expected to be busy. Record numbers of people expected to be on the roadways. Law enforcement agencies across Illinois will participate in a traffic law enforcement campaign, designed to keep highways safe. The enforcement campaign begins this week, running from May 15 to May 26, is part of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign that emphasizes proper seat belt usage. County sheriff deputies will join state troopers and municipal officers conducting high-visibility enforcement to look for violations of seat belt laws; people who fail to buckle up and distracted driving violations. Motorists will be stopped and ticketed.

 

(Washington–jc)  The Spring corn planting season continues at a fast pace. With a look at the state and nation corn crop planting process is U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey…

 

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

 

(Champaign–jc) Parkland College has announced Justin Kirby as the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient along with this year's candidates for the college's 59th Commencement. Kirby is  C-E-O and Founder of Kirby Wealth Management Group .Kirby will be honored at Parkland College's Arts and Sciences and Career and Technical Education Commencement ceremony tonight at 7 at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

 

(Fisher-jm) – Fisher National Bank is warning residents against giving out their account information amidst a scam circulating. The bank announced they received reports that scammers have called individuals claiming to work for the bank and request account information. The bank says they will never call and ask for your account information and if you receive a similar call, hang up and don't provide your information.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The next phase for the city of Paxton “streetscape” program is moving forward after the city received an 850 thousand dollar grant from the federal government. City of Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the local team worked very hard to help the city receive the funds…

   

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. Engineering and preparation work will continue through this year, with site work and upgrades planned for 20-27

 

(Rantoul–jc)  A full entertainment event calendar is set for downtown Rantoul. Its starts with the “Summer Nights series on Fridays in June, with the first concert event on June 5th. In July, Freedom Fridays take over the downtown area of Rantoul. These events will see entertainment, activities for kids and adults along with food, drinks and more

 

(Chicago–jc)  Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is going to meet Pope Leo XIV in Rome later this month. NBC 5 Chicago reported that the mayor’s first visit with the Chicago-born pope is set for May 28. The mayor said he would thank the pontiff for his moral clarity.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois House Insurance Committee has unanimously passed legislation to expand health insurance coverage that includes rehabilitative and habilitative services for children under 19 that have an acquired speech-language disorder. Senate Bill 2899 now heads to the House Floor for consideration.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Growing pessimism over the direction of the global economy is leading budget analysts for the governor’s office and Illinois’ legislature to temper revenue expectations less than three weeks before lawmakers are set to finalize a new budget. Both the governor’s budget office and the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability revised revenue projections for the current year and fiscal year 2027 down by less than 1 percent. While the change is small and generally keeps budget talks on track, it's a sign that confidence in the economy is waning. Pritzker’s budget office decreased its FY27 revenue projection by $173 million to $55.9 billion. The change leaves projected revenue $149 million short of the spending Pritzker proposed. COGFA revised its projection down $190 million to $55.3 billion.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  the village of Rantoul airport is set to get upgrades and more. The village will net 36 million dollars in grant dollars over the next 5 years, says Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third…

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Paxton-jm) – Big changes are coming to downtown Paxton. A new monument went up yesterday outside the Paxton Carnegie Library and the Clayton Hale Bridge will soon be fixed. The monument was a combined effort between the Chamber of Commerce and Paxton Main Street. The Clayton Hale Bridge will soon be fixed thanks to a $250,000 IDOT grant. The walk bridge on Orleans Street that connects the east and west sides has been closed for over a year due to safety concerns.

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – The Vermilion County Board has reached a new salary package for elected officials.  The new salary package for elected officials covers the Vermilion County Clerk, County Treasurer, Supervisor of Assessments, Board of Review members and County Board members, plus the County Board Chairman. It does not cover the Sheriff or Regional Superintendent of Schools even though those offices are also on the November ballot.  The salaries for those two positions are set by the State of Illinois.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The annual Draggin’ Main…Cruise Market Street day is set for Saturday in the city of Paxton. The day starts with a breakfast at Veteran’s Square then moves to several Open House events, including the former jail and residence, says Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper…

 

 

Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper

 

(Rantoul–jc)   A Decatur man was arrested in Rantoul this week on an assault charge. Police say that on Monday afternoon, Rantoul police were called to the 1200 block of Falcon Drive to  locate a suspect of an aggravated assault from the previous evening. Upon Investigation police observed and arrested 30-year-old Troy Stewart of Decatur. Police say Stewart was in the possession of a firearm

Stewart went into an apartment as officers approached, but came back out moments later and was detained along with the other occupants of the apartment.

Stewart was arrested on charges of Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon and transported to the Champaign County Correctional Center.

 

(The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now $5.03 in Illinois, up from $4.97 on Tuesday. The national average is $4.51. Illinois imposes a fuel tax of 48.3 cents per gallon. The state tax is scheduled to rise to 49.6 cents per gallon on July 1.

 

(The Center Square) – A bill to regulate homeowners insurance rates will be up for consideration in the Illinois House after it cleared the state Senate on Wednesday.

An amended version of House Bill 4273 prohibits home insurers from raising premiums by more than ten percent without at least 60 days notice, bans “excessive or discriminatory” rates and gives the Illinois Department of Insurance more regulatory authority.

WPXN News notes…

 

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.

 

The Village of Rantoul will hold a clean up day on Saturday, May 16th from 8 to noon on Galaxy Drive.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich supper on Friday, May 22nd from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, May 23rd from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.