(Undated–jc)  It’s Memorial Day, and an almost perfect weather day is in store for the many Memorial Day services throughout the area. Memorial Day is the day to remember the ultimate sacrifice given by those protecting the freedoms we have. Make sure to attend a Memorial Day service today. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could establish forever chemical sampling and reporting requirements for water control permits, sludges and biosolids. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency notes PFAS have become widespread in air, water, soil and consumer products.  This plan would require the state to only issue permits to water treatment facilities if they periodically sample for forever chemicals.

 

(Springfield-jm) – As warm summer days approach and families gear up for the pool or trips to the beach, several Illinois agencies are teaming up to promote a life-saving strategy to keep children safe in or near the water. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Safe Kids Illinois and Lurie Children's Hospital are teaming up to promote designating a water watcher. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14. To help keep families safe, Illinois DCFS has created a printable water watcher tag that clearly identifies the adult responsible for supervising children during water activities, helping ensure that someone is always alert and watching them. In 2025, 24 Illinois children died in accidental drownings, including 12 in pools and eight in lakes, rivers or ponds. 50% of the children were age 5 and younger, including nine of the children who drowned in pools.

 

(Springfield–dm)-House Republican Conference Chair Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) outlined Illinois House Republicans' budget priorities as the May 31 deadline for the spring legislative session fast approaches. Instead of the prospect of more tax and fee increases, Keicher said the state needs to focus on fiscal reform and cutting wasteful spending.

   

House Republican Conference Chair Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore)

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House passed legislation Friday to ban companies from using AI software to generate individualized prices based on personal data. Sponsors said companies currently collect information on where people go, what they search for, what customers buy, how long you stay on a website and even the devices we use to shop. This information is fed into algorithms that can decide how much each person pays for the exact same product or service.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House passed a plan to create a prescription drug affordability board to help lower drug costs. A prescription drug affordability board could evaluate high-cost drugs and set upper payment limits for what Illinois consumers pay. The board would be able to review prices for brand-name drugs, biosimilar medications and generic drugs that cause affordability challenges for patients.

 

(Paxton–dm)- The Paxton Living World Church is having a craft and vendor show today at the Paxton  Civic Center, located at 601S. Fall Street.  Craft and Vendor Show spokesperson Melanie Bauer has more information.

   

Craft and Vendor Show Spokesperson Melanie Bauer

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department was able to quickly put out a fire on the front porch of a home Friday morning. Randy Smith, the department’s Public Information Officer, said in a press release that firefighters responded at 11:52 a.m. to a fire outside a single-family home in the 800 block of West Vine Street. The report came from a passerby who said they saw a fire outside the home. Upon arrival, crews reported a small fire on the front porch of the home. Crews then extended a single hose line and were able to quickly extinguish this fire.

 

(Champaign-jm) — A 30-year-old man was injured in a shooting Saturday night in Champaign. Police responded to the 1200 block of West Bradley Avenue around 8:49 p.m. after reports of a shooting. Officers found the victim suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and provided medical aid alongside the Champaign Fire Department before he was taken to a local hospital in stable condition. Investigators said the man was attending a gathering when shots were fired. No arrests have been made.

 

(USDA–dm)-Building up domestic fertilizer production capabilities includes increasing necessary infrastructure - an area of involvement for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  USDA’s Rod Bain has the story.

   

(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City city council will hold their monthly meeting tomorrow night.  Items up for discussion include discussion on Special Event liquor license for Harvest Fest and Summer Bash, a Facade Grant application from Gibson City Restoration Association.  Also approval for pots to be planted by Ropps Greenhouse, discussion of the 2026 Oil and Chip project and consideration of Homebuyer/Homebuilder incentive program. The City Council meeting is scheduled to start at 7pm in the city council chambers.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill restricting owners of traveling animal acts from using wild animals in their shows is now headed to the governor’s desk after passing the Senate.  Specifically, House Bill 4255 would add the following breeds to the offense of unlawful use of animals in traveling acts: cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, non-human primates, bears and all elephants, not just endangered species.

 

CHAMPAIGN – A Champaign man is in custody for his alleged role in an early 

12-Hundred block of Providence Circle just after noon on Saturday, following a report of a shooting with injuries. Police learned that a 28-year-old male victim had been struck by gunfire, leading to a non-life-threatening injury. Upon investigation, 27 year old Travon Brize was arrested. The investigation remains ongoing. Officers continue to canvass the surrounding area for witnesses and video footage that may be of investigative assistance. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign Police at  217-351-4545 or Champaign County Crime Stoppers at  217-373-8477.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Should those in jail serving time be allowed to vote. That is a question in Springfield as we head into the end of the session on the 31st. 106th District State Representative, Republican Jason Bunting says he is not in favor of the legislation as written…

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate passed legislation to reduce barriers to menopause care. Current state law requires insurance coverage for FDA-approved menopause treatment, but this plan broadens coverage requirements. The bill mandates private health plans to cover medically necessary evaluation and treatment of perimenopause and menopause conditions, including hormone conditions and medications. This plan calls for the Illinois Department of Public Health to create educational materials that include common symptoms, evidence-based treatment and available resources.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The man accused of taking part in an Urbana shootout in broad daylight was denied pre-trial release during his first appearance in court. Kenyon Dunn, 20 of Urbana, appeared via Zoom before Judge Brett Olmstead on Friday for both arraignment and a detention hearing. Facing a single Class X felony count of being a felon in possession of a machine gun, Dunn waived his right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty. When the issue of pre-trial detention came up, Judge Brett Olmstead noted that Dunn had a 2023 conviction in juvenile court and a 2025 conviction in adult court, the latter for a weapons offense. He was not “long off parole” before Dunn was accused of taking part in a shootout near the Town and Country Apartments on Thursday.

 

(Paxton–dm)-If you are doing some painting around the house, Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen tells us about the different Paint Sheens…

 

 

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen.  You can hear more from Scott Saturday mornings at 730 on Scott’s Tips for success

 

(Ford County–dm)The Ford County Public Building Commission will hold a meeting on Friday May 29th at 2pm. Discussion items include possible action of an addition to the Ford County Courthouse, seeking bids for older boiler replacement at the Ford County Courthouse, and discussion on appointing Taylor Burnett as Treasurer for the Public Building Commission. The meeting will be held in the small courtroom in the courthouse.

 

(Joliet–jc)  Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker joined state and local officials in Joliet  to celebrate the final phase of the $1.3 billion Interstate 80 construction project in Will County. Work began earlier this month on two new bridges over the Des Plaines River. The $164 million bridge construction is expected to be completed in 2028, with demolition of the old bridges set for 2029. Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report found that nine percent of Illinois’ bridges are structurally deficient, the ninth-highest percentage in the nation.

WPXN News notes…

 

The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday, May 30th from 9-2.

 

Paxton Townwide garage sales will take place Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th.

 

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 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour will stop in Rantoul on Tuesday, June 9th at 11 am.

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Onarga American Legion on Tuesday, June 9th from 1-6 pm.

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours on Thursday, June 11th from 5:30-7:30 pm at Promise Healthcare in Rantoul.

 

The 2026 Mahomet Soda Fest will take place on Saturday, June 13th from 10-6.