(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate passed legislation to protect low-income families from rising utility rates. This plan could increase the income eligibility threshold for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Sponsors said the LIHEAP change can help more households qualify for the help they need. Yet, Republicans are concerned it will only lead to higher rates for other customers.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois General Assembly is considering helping educational support staff workers, whose incomes dry up each summer by allowing them to collect unemployment benefits between academic terms beginning on June 1st. The measures creating the Unemployment Equity Act, stalled in committee, but the bill’s union backers and its House sponsor say it could still advance in the final two weeks of the legislative session. The Illinois Department of Employment Security estimates it would cost between $138 million and $176 million annually, with an additional $3.6 million for implementation. Public schools, colleges, universities and not for profit academic institutions would bear approximately 93 percent of the costs.
(Springfield–jc) A House Resolution sponsored by 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Republican from Danville, declares May 2026 as Illinois Military Appreciation Month in the State of Illinois. The resolution is now in the hands of the full House. Reaction from Representative Schweizer…
104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Republican from Danville.
(Hoopeston-jm) – The Hoopeston American Legion is looking for volunteers to help place American flags this morning. Volunteers are asked to meet at the American Legion at 8 am to place flags along Routes 1 and 9.
(Watseka-jm) – An appeals court ruled that a lawsuit against an Iroquois County hospital can move forward. Documents say that Holly White had arrived at Iroquois Memorial Hospital's emergency room on May 2, 2018, complaining about severe abdominal pain. The lawsuit claimed that doctors, who assisted in White's transfer to Riverside in Kankakee, were negligent by not sharing correct details about her care. The documents stated that White was then found unresponsive on the floor of her hospital room May 4, 2018. Doctors performed emergency surgery but White suffered cardiac arrest and died two days later. An appeals court overturned a previous ruling in favor of the hospital systems.
(Rantoul–jc) With the Combe Labs company making a major investment at its current plant in the village of Rantoul, Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says this is another example of the village’s positive economic development in jobs…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Undated-jm) – GasBuddy is warning Americans to prepare for the most expensive summer at the pump in years. According to their 2026 Summer Travel Survey, the national average is expected to hit $4.48 a gallon by Memorial Day, a huge jump from $3.14 last year. Prices could climb as high as $4.80 a gallon through the end of summer. The primary driver behind higher gas prices is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely disrupted global oil supplies. Experts say that even after the Strait reopens, it could take over a year for gas prices to fully recover. Additional pressure from refinery dynamics and the upcoming hurricane season could even push prices past the $5 mark, potentially setting new all-time records. The financial strain is already impacting travelers ahead of Memorial Day Weekend. While 56-percent of Americans still plan to drive this summer, the number is down significantly from 69-percent last year.
(Watseka–jc) New Party and Independent filing is now open at the Iroquois County Clerk's Office for the November 3rd General Election. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Office will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. The last day to file the necessary papers in the County Clerk’s Office is Tuesday May 26th at 5pm. Petitions are available at the office in Watseka
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul Paxton V-F-W Honor Guard will help host a Memorial Day Program at the Rantoul Sports Complex on Memorial Day Monday. Rantoul Paxton V F W 67-50 Adjutant Jim Cheek says the event honors those who have served our country
Rantoul Paxton V F W Adjutant Jim Cheek. The public is invited to the service at 11 on Monday morning at the Rantoul Sports Complex
(The Center Square) – A coalition of nonprofit organizations that provide after-school and summer programs for Illinois students is warning their services may suffer if they don’t get more state funding. Leaders of various organizations and the ACT Now coalition gathered this week in Springfield. Coalition-supported bills include House Bill 53-62 and House Bill 30-82, which would appropriate 20 million and 50 million dollars respectively to the Illinois State Board of Education after-school and other programs run by groups that are part of the coalition. Despite the support from some lawmakers, the request comes as many have questioned the legitimacy of state spending on childcare nationwide. Early last month, one Chicago-based nonprofit executive was sentenced to a year in prison after defrauding the state out of roughly $1.9 million, working alongside another executive in a pair of schemes.
(Springfield-jm) – A plan heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could help protect adults, parents and small children who are allergic to diaper ingredients. The bill requires each package or box of diapers sold in Illinois to include a printed list of all ingredients for consumers. Sponsors said the Attorney General or state's attorneys could enforce this change and collect civil penalties from companies violating the policy.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois republicans met in Springfield Wednesday afternoon to talk about their concerns over Illinois Governor J B Pritzker's Build Illinois plan. 106th district State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emington, says House Bill 44-12 takes solar projects away from local towns and counties…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington
(Livingston County-jm) – No injuries were reported after a shed fire southeast of Forrest. The steel structure suffered water damage from firefighting efforts and damage to the contents inside. Responding departments came from Strawn, Fairbury, Cullom, Saunemin, Pontiac, Forrest, Chatsworth, Piper City, Cropsey and Sibley. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Paxton man is facing multiple charges in Vermilion County after his arrest in Hoopeston. 28 year old Dylan McCubbins was arrested following a traffic stop. McCubbins was charged with possession of meth, operating a vehicle with expired registration, improper display of a registration sticker and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
(Paxton–jc) Some plans for street expansion in the city of Paxton are in the development stage. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says meetings this week are looking at the possibilities of extending Elm Street into a new sub division project in Paxton…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Undated-jm) – An FBI led investigation recently led to nearly 30 arrests in Central Illinois. Suspects were allegedly involved in weapons and drug offenses, according to the FBI Office in Springfield. Law enforcement personnel in Danville, Kankakee, Decatur and beyond pooled resources in a 5-day initiative that focused on locating violent offenders with active warrants. Ryan Presley, Special Agent of the FBI Springfield Field Office, said targets of the operation were the most “high impact” fugitives in east-central Illinois. Presley said the FBI worked alongside local law enforcement to make the arrests. Presley added, no single agency can combat violent crime alone. And by pooling resources, immediate threats to the public were eliminated. Highlights of ‘Operation Viper’ include: 29 arrested, seizure of drugs including over nine pounds of marijuana, almost two pounds of unidentified pills, eight ounces of methamphetamine and almost two ounces of cocaine, and the seizure of five handguns and two assault rifles.
(Paxton–jc) Health Insurance renewals for county employees is the topic of a meeting this afternoon in Paxton. The Ford County Insurance committee will look to approve the renewal at its meeting at 4-30pm this afternoon at the courthouse in Paxton
(Washington–jc) Weather in parts of the country cooperated this past week to push planting progress for this year's corn crop. Rod Bain reports…
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Rivian is the best electric vehicle maker in the world, but his Republican challenger says special tax breaks for multibillion-dollar companies don’t work. The governor was in Normal on Tuesday and touted the tax incentives at the R-2 plant in Normal .The Center Square asked Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey about Rivian being offered $827 million in tax incentives over 30 years. Bailey said Boeing was offered tax incentives under former Republican Governor George Ryan, but the company later packed up and moved out. Bailey also pointed to the recent departure of Morton Salt. In addition to the $827 incentive deal for Rivian, the Illinois Department of Transportation provided an 11-point-5 million dollar grant for a tunnel beneath U.S. Route 150 to connect the company’s manufacturing plant and supplier park.
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.
Paxton Main Street will hold their First Friday concert series on Friday, June 5th from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. Back In Time will perform.
The 2026 Roberts Fun Day will take place on Saturday, June 6th. Activities include breakfast from 8-11, vendors from 8-3, bounce houses and silent auction 9-3, kids cart rides 11-1, bingo 11-2, food trucks 11-3, bags tournament at 4 and live music from 7-10.
Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 will hold a 5k on Sunday, June 7th from 8-10:30 at Carle at the Fields.
