(Springfield-jm) – Former Republican strategist Collin Corbett says he is hoping to bring a more balanced voice to the Illinois governor’s race after filing petitions to run for governor as an independent. Corbett, of Palatine, is the founder of the political consulting firm Cor Strategies, which has helped Republican candidates run for office. He left the firm following the primary after expressing concerns the party supports violent immigration raids and no longer welcomes opposing opinions. Corbett says he’s looking for more balance from the state’s leaders and criticized both President Donald Trump and Governor J-B Pritzker.
(Springfield-jm) — As he closed his address before gathered members of the Illinois General Assembly and Governor J-B Pritzker in the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday, U-S Senator Dick Durbin invoked the words of Abraham Lincoln's House Divided speech. Durbin delivered what was billed as a farewell address, reflecting on his record in office while urging state lawmakers gathered to pick up the torch for the causes he championed. Durbin will retire next year after 30 years in the Senate, most of it spent as the number two Democrat.
(Springfield–jc) State lawmakers remain in Springfield this week, trying to reach a new budget deal by Sunday. Not much has been given out to lawmakers from the Budget office and one area lawmaker says there has been “no transparency” with the process. Reaction from 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet…
51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet
(Dewey-jm) — Fisher firefighters were called to a house fire in Dewey Wednesday afternoon. It happened just before 4pm. Crews from multiple departments put out the fire. There’s no word on the cause of the fire.
(Ford County-jm) – Beginning in July, the Gibson City Senior Center will no longer be serving Peace Meals for seniors. OSF Peace Meals are meant to help seniors improve nutrition, while also encouraging independence and fellowship. Currently, OSF HealthCare provides meals five days a week for seniors age 60 and older, who live in Champaign, DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, McLean, Piatt and Livingston counties. The Ford County Public Health Department says that the center, where meals are distributed, is being sold. After the sale, OSF will no longer serve Peace Meals at that location. OSF is searching for a new location. In the meantime, seniors can request home delivery by calling (309) 665-5900.
(Rantoul–jc) It’s Midwest Championship baseball and Midwest Championship Softball set for this weekend at the Rantoul Sports Complex on the village's west side. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says the number of teams, coaches, family members and fans continues to grow at the local sports facility, each year…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Rantoul-jc) –Freedom Fridays are coming to downtown Rantoul in July. Rantoul Chamber officials say each Friday there will be activities for kids and adults, lots of food options, drinks and good music. The first event is Friday July 3rd in the downtown area of the village
(Urbana–jc) The Champaign County Coroner’s Office has identified the road crew member who was struck by a vehicle early Wednesday morning along Interstate 74 near the 180-mile marker in Champaign. 65 year oldSteven A. Cornett, of Danville, was pronounced dead just before 5 this morning at the scene. Preliminary findings indicate Mr. Cornett died from blunt force injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle while working on the roadway. An autopsy has been scheduled. The incident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
(Gibson City–jc) Gibson City leaders and the local Gibson City Chamber of Commerce are hosting a “thank you” event for those who shop in the city. The annual Gibson City “community fish fry” is set for Thursday June 4th at North Park in the city. The event runs from 5pm to 7-30pm says Gibson City Events Spokesperson Susie Tongate…
Gibson City Events Spokesperson Susie Tongate. The Gibson City Community Band will also perform at the event next Thursday and will be selling baked goods as a fundraiser
(Springfield–jc) – The Illinois Department of Labor has resolved multiple investigations involving alleged violations of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, ensuring employees received access to paid leave benefits required under state law.
The investigations involved employers across Illinois in a variety of industries, including food service, hospitality, and home services. The Department investigated allegations the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign did not give paid leave accruals to some part time employees. After reviewing the employer’s paid leave records, the Department found that employees were not accruing paid leave at the rate required by law. The hotel paid a 2 thousand 500 dollar penalty to the Department of Labor.
(Undated-jm) — Illinois grows more soybeans than any other state, harvesting more than 639 million bushels in 2025, well ahead of Iowa’s 595 million bushels and Minnesota’s 371 million bushels. But almost none of those millions of bushels end up as food on Illinois plates. According to the Illinois Soybean Association, 60 percent of soybeans grown in the state are exported, most of the remaining 40 percent are processed as animal feed, leaving the state reliant on imports for its soy food. In 2025, with a trade war freezing exports to China, one of the biggest buyers of Illinois soybeans, Governor J-B Pritzker declared an Agricultural Export Crisis and directed state agencies to enhance domestic markets. For farmers and food producers, the pressure has made the need for local infrastructure more urgent than ever, raising the question of whether more of Illinois’ own crops, especially soybeans, can finally start feeding more Illinoisans.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are days away from passing a roughly $56 billion fiscal 2027 budget, but many are still fighting to have their priorities included as negotiations near the end. Republicans want to reduce the size of the budget and lower taxes, while some Democrats are seeking more taxes on businesses and billionaires. Others are looking to maintain state programs, fearing future budget holes and social service cuts in the coming years. The budget became more complicated earlier this month when analysts for the General Assembly and governor's budget office lowered revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal year. The governor’s office revealed a $149 million gap between what Pritzker proposed spending and the amount of revenue the state will have to support it, and that includes $728 million in new taxes and revenue changes proposed by the Governor.
(Paxton–jc) It’s opening today… The Paxton Park District Swimming pool opens at noon today and the entire board would like to thank the community for their help, says Interim Paxton Park District President Craig Kief…
Paxton Park District Interim President Craig Kief
(Washington–jc) The corn crop continues to emerge in East Central Illinois. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the corn crop…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign is considering a new blueprint plan to better manage its homeless population. Champaign's point-in-time survey shows the city saw a 159% increase in homelessness from 2022-25. Now the city hopes to develop a system to stop people from losing their homes and put safety nets in place so there is always a safe bed available for anyone without a home. The homelessness prevention blueprint team is recommending hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional funds to prevent people from losing their homes. The team hopes to start implementing their plan this summer.
(Rantoul-jm) – A mural to honor the Tuskegee Airmen is coming to Rantoul. A local non profit will be painting the World War Two pilots who got their start at Chanute Air Force Base on a building on the former base. The group hopes to have the mural done by the 4th of July.
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton leaders have sold a city owned lot at 404 South Market in town. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they received help in the process for a potential new home with a local realtor…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
Paxton–jc) The Ford County Public Building Commission will talk about a proposed addition to the county’s courthouse later this week. The committee is set to meet at 2pm on Friday in Paxton. The commission is also expected to look at bids for a boiler project at the courthouse.
(Champaign–jc) –The Champaign Fire Department is seeking candidates interested in learning more about a career in the fire service to apply to the Adult Explorers Program. Applications will be accepted through June 22, and are available at the Champaign Fire Department website. The Champaign Fire Department Recruitment Team and Human Resources Department, along with the Champaign Equity and Engagement Department, are committed to providing program participants with job-specific, comprehensive, interactive, and informational testing preparation experience.
(Rantoul–jc) –The Rantoul Historical Society was chartered in 1973 and the local group has used several locations over the years for a museum of the local area. The museum is currently located along U S Route 136 on the east side of Rantoul. Rantoul Historical Society Spokesperson Jim Cheek talks about the operations of the local museum
Rantoul Historical Society and Museum Spokesperson Jim Cheek
(Champaign–jc) The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday announced the availability of 65 million dollars in funding this year for new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants program. CIG is supported by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act , which increased funding for farm bill conservation programs. The program also supports farmers in tackling conservation challenges at the landscape scale.
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Restoration Committee queen of hearts was held last night. The jack pot was 7 thousand 738 dollars. Joyce Dewey chose card number 49 which was the 4 of clubs. She received 40 dollars and the jack pot grows to next week. The money raised goes to building restoration projects in
Gibson City.
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.
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, June 5th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
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.
