(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House Public Utilities Committee unanimously approved a plan last week to ban loud commercials on streaming services. Senator Doris Turner and Representative Mike Coffey's bill could ban commercial volumes from being louder than the program you're watching. This comes as the FCC preempts most state and local regulation of cable and broadcast TV, but streaming apps operate over the internet and fall outside that scope.
(Iroquois County–jc) Traffic was backed up for several reasons late Sunday afternoon from Paxton to Giman. Northbound traffic was slowed to a crawl in the northbound lanes of Interstate 57 due to an accident between Gilman and Onarga. The Construction zone in the area also slowed traffic. The accident happened around 4pm on Sunday. Now word was provided on the extent of vehicle damages or any injuries. Traffic continued to be slowed through 8 on Sunday.
(Springfield-jm) - A plan heading to Governor JB Pritzker's desk could expand access to life-saving asthma medication at schools. The bill allows schools to keep a supply of asthma medication in secure locations that are accessible before, during, or after school where someone may be at risk, including practice fields, gyms and other athletic facilities. This comes as exercise-induced asthma can put student athletes at heightened risk of sudden respiratory distress.
(USDA–dm)-How does USDA's initial winter wheat production forecast for the season impact both domestic and global wheat supply and demand estimates? Rod Bain has the story.
(Springfield-jm) – A proposal that would expand access to a federal program that discounts the price of prescription drugs could end up costing Illinois employers an additional $89 million a year, including more than $12 million a year for the state of Illinois itself. That’s according to a memo, dated May 12th, from the Department of Central Management Services, the state agency that administers the state employee health plan, to Representative Travis Weaver, who requested the information following a meeting of the legislative Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department arrested a man on Sunday after an argument reportedly escalated into him firing a gun. Officers responded to the 2600 block of W. Springfield Avenue around midnight for a report of shots fired. Police identified the suspect as 38-year-old Ywaian J. Langford. Langford was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated assault.
(Rantoul–dm)-Memorial Day is around the corner, and the Rantoul/Paxton VFW Post 6750 will be hosting the ceremonies. Rantoul/Paxton VFW Post 6750 Adjutant Jim Creek tells us about some of the changes for this year’s ceremony.
Rantoul/Paxton VFW Post6750 Adjutant Jim Creek.
(The Center Square) – Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan – from federal prison over corruption charges – penned an op-ed last week calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to accept the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. The program, which Pritzker has been reluctant to opt the state into, would allow people to deduct up to $1,700 from their federal taxes if they donate to a qualifying K-12 scholarship granting program. Republicans in Springfield also called on Pritzker to opt in this week. Both Madigan and the Republicans argued the governor is putting politics over the needs of citizens.
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton officials say they’re considering regulating e-bikes and scooters with hopes to get out in front of the problem before someone gets hurt. At last week’s Paxton City Council meeting, they discussed how they want to approach the issue locally. The city council set a public safety meeting to discuss this at their next meeting, which is June 9. It starts at 6 p.m.
(Springfield-jm) – There are no workers more exposed to workplace violence than healthcare workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that in 73% of all cases of non-fatal workplace violence, healthcare workers were the victims. Healthcare workers are expected to endure the attacks and continue to work without reporting it. With no documentation from a report, many nurses can't pursue worker’s compensation claims. But now, lawmakers in Springfield are close to passing a bill that could force hospitals to document these attacks. If hospitals don’t comply with reporting requirements, they could face a fine of up to $500 a day.
(Springfield-jm) — The Illinois House could vote on the massive auto insurance reform plan as soon as this week. Democrats on the House Executive Committee approved the bill to help ban insurance companies from increasing auto premiums by more than 10% without first notifying consumers 30 days before their renewal date. The Illinois Department of Insurance would be responsible for ensuring auto rates are not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. The Illinois Insurance Association believes this plan could ultimately harm consumers through higher auto insurance costs and fewer coverage options. House Republicans are also concerned the legislation will ruin the state's insurance market.
(Springfield–dm)-With just a couple of weeks from the end of the legislative session, 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington, tells us what’s left to do…
106th District Sate Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emmington
(Springfield-jm) – Diverse interest groups, from public school activists and downstate voters to state officials and school boards, have pushed Governor J-B Pritzker to finally make a decision about the Trump Administration’s Education Freedom Tax Credit. Yet, there has been mostly silence from the Governor’s Mansion as Pritzker considers opting into the controversial school choice tax credit, an initiative that has also stalled in a bipartisan state Senate Bill 3776 due to scarce conversations with colleagues. The tax credit passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill, is a dollar for dollar non refundable federal tax credit for donations of up to $1,700 a year to authorized scholarship granting organizations. The organization then distributes scholarships to eligible families, who can then decide whether to spend their scholarships on expenses for private, public or charter schools. As a federal initiative, any taxpayer can take advantage of the tax credit, but students can only receive the scholarships if their governor or state legislatures opt them in.
(Champaign County-jm) – The temperature is rising and so are concerns for health professionals in Champaign County. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is sending out a warning about the small animals that have a big and dangerous impact. They include mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus and ticks carrying various kinds of diseases, like Lyme Disease. Another is Alpha-Gal Syndrome from the lone star tick, and it can make you allergic to meat. They say luckily, they have not seen any lone star ticks in the area. Still, they say that it is important to be diligent about checking yourself, your loved ones and your pets.
(Paxton-jm) – A heavy load semi got stuck in Paxton Sunday afternoon causing travel backups. The truck hit a stop sign and traffic island at the Patton Street bridge. Traffic backups occurred until the load was moved off the bridge.
(Paxton–dm)-It’s gardening season and Ropps Greenhouse Ownwer Roger Cramer from has some tips on how to keep you Tomatoes healthy
Ropps Greenhouse Owner Roger Cramer
(Cook County–dm)-A Cook County judge has found Cook County liable for damages to taxpayers who lost equity in their home due to a state law. Under state law, homeowners can lose their property over unpaid property taxes. The system, as noted by Illinois Policy Institute, has been ruled unconstitutional by The Supreme Court, and multiple bills await action in the General Assembly to address the issue in the state’s tax code.
(The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, who serves on the Immigration and Human Rights Committee, is calling for the resignation of John Laesch after social media posts and videos circulated online alleging the Aurora mayor shared the live locations of federal immigration agents operating in the city. The controversy gained national attention after the conservative social media account Libs of TikTok posted footage accusing Laesch of “doxxing” ICE agents and tracking their movements in Aurora.The post claimed the mayor was “actively protecting foreign murderers, rapists, and pedophiles” and demanded his resignation. Niemerg sharply criticized the mayor’s actions, arguing they endangered federal officers attempting to apprehend violent offenders.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man who pleaded guilty in April to stabbing his wife during a domestic incident a year ago was sentenced to 15 years behind bars Friday. Rafael Magdaleno-Mendoza pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with credit for 353 days already served. With the guilty plea, the following charges against Magdaleno-Mendoza were dismissed: aggravated criminal sexual assault with a threat toward life, aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon and aggravated domestic battery.
WPXN News notes…
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.
The Onarga American Legion Auxiliary will hold their poppy 5k on Saturday, May 23rd starting at 9 am.
The Champaign County Forest Preserve will hold Fishing for Beginners on Saturday, May 23rd from 9-11 am at Middlefork Forest Preserve.
Living Word Church of Roberts will hold a craft and vendor show on Monday, May 25th from 9-3 at the Paxton Civic Center.
The Onarga American Legion will hold a Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 25th leaving from the Onarga Methodist Church at 9:45 and going to the cemetery for a 10:30 service.
Country Line Dancing with DJ Maggie B will take place on Friday, May 29th from 8-11 pm at The Cadillac in downtown Paxton.
