(Springfield-jm) — A bill that would require businesses to provide cash or credit refunds for eligible returns is making its way through the Illinois Legislature. State Senator Rachel Ventura said House Bill 4044 would prohibit retailers from requiring that people accept store credit instead of a refund on unopened or unused products. Eligible products include any machine, appliance, clothing or similar product that was purchased for personal, family or household purpose, the bill reads. If a retailer suspects fraud, the retailer would not be required to accept a return. The measure does not apply to food, beverages, medicine or medical equipment.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Senate Democrats unveiled a package of legislation on Wednesday aiming to place new guardrails on rapidly expanding artificial intelligence technology, which they said is already reshaping daily life. The package includes eight bills focused on consumer protections, student privacy, housing costs and transparency surrounding AI systems.
(Rantoul–jc) –If you see some Rantoul police on top or around the Rantoul Dunkin’ location, there is a good reason. It’s a fundraiser for the police state torch run and Special Olympics. It starts early this morning, says Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third.
Danville, IL – East Central Illinois Community Action Agency offices in Ford County at the Paxton Office and Iroquois County at the Watseka Office will be closed during May 18-25. The staff will be attending professional development during this time. Those with needs are to call the Vermilion County office in Danville at 217-554-9122.
State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Hindsboro is challenging what he called "Pritzker style affordability." Miller pointed to an Illinois Policy article that showed Governor Pritzker has presided over $77 billion in tax increases since 2019 …
101st District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Hindsboro
(Champaign–jc) A Champaign man has been arrested for his role in a November 2025 shooting that seriously injured a Champaign resident. Police say in the early morning hours of November 17, they responded to the 700 block of North. Elm Street, following a report of a shooting. On-scene, officers located a resident suffering from multiple potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds. She continues to recover from those injuries. The investigation indicated that the resident was answering a late-night knock at her door when 31-year-old James E. Brown allegedly opened fire, striking her multiple times. Brown fled the area before officers arrived. Brown was arrested in Champaign today, during the execution of a search warrant related to the investigation. He now faces charges including Attempted Murder, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. The investigation is ongoing and police are asking for more information. Call Champaign Police at 217-351-4545 or contact Champaign County Crimestoppers
(Illinois–dm)-May 10-16 is National Police Week and it honors law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, supports their surviving families, and recognizes the service of current officers. 105th District State Representative Dennis Tipsword Republican form Metamora is not only a state representative, but is also a law enforcement officer
105th District State Representative Dennis Tipsword Republican from Metemora
(The Center Square) – Republican lawmakers are warning that the departure of iconic salt producer Morton Salt from Chicago is the latest sign Illinois is becoming increasingly unfriendly to businesses, citing high taxes, litigation costs and regulatory hurdles as key reasons companies are leaving the state. The company, founded in Chicago in 1848 and long associated with the city through its iconic “Morton Salt Girl” branding, has shifted its headquarters operations to Overland Park, Kansas, after decades in downtown Chicago. State Sen. Chris Balkema said Morton Salt’s departure reflects a larger trend he believes is being fueled by Illinois’ business climate.
(Illinois–dm)-(The Center Square) – A new report ranks Illinois 46 out of 50 states for financial transparency, partly due to the state’s slow fiscal reporting. Truth in Accounting’s Financial Transparency Score 2026 report evaluates how effectively each state discloses its true financial condition through audited reports. Truth in Accounting founder & CEO Sheila Weinberg said Illinois taxpayers are not given information on a timely basis. Illinois’ 2026 financial transparency score of 51 ranked 46th in the country on a report that evaluates audit quality, timeliness, pension reporting and accounting practices.
(Springfield–jm) – With warmer weather on the horizon, the Illinois Department of Health is urging people to take precautions against illnesses spread by animals and pests. The IDPH said there are certain steps and actions people can take to reduce their risk of contracting any serious illnesses. This time of year, there are three main categories of concern when it comes to these illnesses: mosquitos and west nile, tickborne illness and rabies in bats.
(Roberts–dm)-The Mennonite College of Nursing at ISU along with Jeremiah 33:6 are sponsoring a free produce pantry and health fair today at the Roberts gym from 3pm to 5pm. Founder of Jeremiah 33:6 spokesperson Valarie Wright tells us about the produce pantry.
Jeremiah 33:6 spokesperson Valarie Wright. Some of the items that will be checked at the Health Fair include checking Blood Pressure, vision and A1C .
(Champaign-jm) — The man accused of attempted murder in the case of an Urbana shooting in January was granted pretrial release following a recent medical procedure. 48-year-old John Webb was granted release after he filed a motion asking Judge Matthew Lee to reconsider pretrial detention. At the same time, a trial call that was scheduled for May 11 was vacated. The Champaign County State’s Attorneys’ Office explained that Webb required surgery to amputate part of his foot due to severe diabetes, which had previously resulted in the amputation of Webb’s other foot. They added that Webb was released over the state’s objection. Webb’s amputations will result in confinement to a wheelchair, and he will be on GPS monitoring while on release. Webb is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and possessing a weapon as a felon in connection with a shooting on Jan. 28, 2026. Prosecutors said Webb got into an argument over a parking spot and opened fire on the victim, shooting him in the back and neck.
(USDA–dm)-: USDA's first look at the new U.S. and world commodity marketing year and winter wheat crop forecasts highlight this month's reports from the Agriculture Department. Rod Bain has the report.
(Undated-jm) — The Illinois Department of Agriculture says it will distribute more than $796,000 in federal funds over the next three years to expand access to locally grown produce and boost the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry. An application for grant funding will be available this week on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website and must be returned to the Department by noon on June 5, 2026. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local and government entities, trade and commodity associations, public and private colleges and universities.
(Champaign–jc) The Parkland College Board of Trustees voted this week to appoint a new peace officer for the next fiscal year. Paris Illinois native Derek Fletcher will serve as a Peace Officer to the Parkland Public Safety Department.
(Paxton–jc) Its Draggin’ Main…Cruise Market Street in Paxton on Saturday. The day starts with a breakfast at Veteran’s Square at 8am. Several Open Houses are set for 10am until 2pm. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says one of the Open Houses is the Paxton Masonic Lodge Building…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(The Center Square) – The Democrat National Convention’s committee on site selection visited Chicago this week, again considered the city for their 2028 or 2032 convention. As highlighted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the 2024 DNC generated $371 million for Chicago’s economy. The committee is also considering other major cities for their 2028 event, including Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Philadelphia.
(Paxton–jc) Now that the city of Paxton has secured funding for repair of the Clayton Hale walk bridge, city leaders are looking at the process and timeline to complete the bridge repairs. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about the timeline…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Washington–dm)-After the House of Representatives voted to pass a bill which would allow for the year-round sale of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, or E-15, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said she supports the measure. In a statement, Duckworth said the bill will critically help American farmers and keep costs for consumers down at the pump. The senator also criticized Republican leadership for removing a similar measure last minute from a broader package of legislation known as the "Farm Bill" earlier this month.
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.
Paxton Main Street, historical open houses, free to attend, will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16th at the Ford County Historical Society’s Water Tower Museum, the old Ford County jail and sheriff’s residence, the Paxton Masonic Lodge No. 416, the old Paxton freight house, and the State Street Mall, where Royce Baier’s antique car collection can be viewed.
Paxton’s annual Draggin’ Main car cruise — “The Cruise on Market” — is set for 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16, on Market Street in downtown Paxton.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop 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.
