(Rantoul-jm) – One person has died after suffering a medical emergency at the Hap Parker Family Aquatic Center in Rantoul yesterday. Emergency personnel were called to the pool at 4pm on Monday. They arrived in around 3 minutes at the facility, where life guards were already performing C-P-R. The individual was transported to the hospital, where they later died. The name of the individual has not yet been officially released by the Champaign County coroner's office. WPXN news will update this story as more information becomes available
(Springfield–jc)-- Illinois House Democrats finalized passing legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public universities. 88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur ,voted against the measure…
88th District State Representative Regan Deering Republican from Decatur. Those voting no said the state is giving benefits to those illegally here in the state. The governor is expected to sign the measure into law.
(Springfield-jm) – The Chicago Bears are sticking with their current timeline for selecting a site for a new stadium amid an uncertain future for a proposal in the Illinois state legislature that would provide incentives for the NFL team to build its new home in the state. The Illinois Senate passed a bill early Monday morning that would have cleared the way for Arlington Heights and Chicago to create local stadium authorities, creating a pathway for the Bears to avoid paying property taxes on a new stadium in Illinois. But the House adjourned without taking up the measure on the last day of the state's spring legislative session. The Bears said they are finalizing their evaluation of possible stadium sites in Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, and they “remain on the late spring/early summer timeline.”
(Melvin–jc) As the United States looks to celebrate the 250th anniversary with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Ford County is celebrating 100 years of the local county fair this month. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is now involved in a Champaign shooting investigation in the hopes of finding new information to pass along to police. The shooting happened the morning of May 6 on Redwood Drive near Bradley Avenue. Officers responded to a report of a shooting with injuries, and they found a 27-year-old man with gunshot wounds. Crime Stoppers said the victim is still recovering from his injuries. Investigators are still trying to identify the potential suspect involved in this confrontation. He was described as a Black male with a thin build who was wearing a mask and all-black clothing.
(Champaign–dm)-The planting season in Champaign County is running above average, while statewide planting progress is at average to above average. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady has the update.
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady
(Watseka–jc) – The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency announced today that it has completed all requirements necessary to utilize the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System in the county. The county is now equipped to communicate critical emergency situations to all citizens in Iroquois County. The addition of the new warning system, provides Iroquois County emergency personnel the ability to rapidly disseminate life-saving information during severe weather, and other emergencies.
(Ford County–dm)-The Ford County Highway Committee will meet on Wednesday June 3rd at the Highway Department in Roberts. Items up for discussion include an update on County Department work, and discussion on a county transportation agreement. Also other items up on the agenda include petitions for aid and a resolution for Patton Drainage Project. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7AM.
(Springfield—jc) Less than 24 hours after receiving the state budget document of over 3 thousand 600 pages, Democrat state lawmakers passed a nearly 57 Billion dollar state budget that includes over 800 million dollars in new taxes. Reaction to the budget from Illinois Republican Tony McCombie from Savannah…
89th District and Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie Republican from Savannah
(Springfield-jm) – Families across Illinois can access free meals and snacks this summer for children 18 and younger through federal nutrition programs administered by the Illinois State Board of Education. More than 1,000 meal sites across 72 counties are currently participating, with additional locations still being added throughout the summer. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders said the program helps ensure children continue receiving healthy meals while school is out. Families can find nearby meal locations by using the USDA Summer Meals Site Finder online, texting “Summer” to 914-342-7744, or calling the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY.
(Champaign–jc) – Several special America 250 events are set in Champaign County starting later this month. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Nearly 69 million people in the United States speak a language other than English at home, yet weather warnings have long been issued almost exclusively in English. A new study documents how the National Weather Service is using artificial intelligence to change that, developing a comprehensive translation program that delivers life-saving forecasts and alerts in Spanish and, Chinese, to French and other languages. The new multidisciplinary study was led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign meteorology professor Joseph Trujillo-Falcón and National Weather Service scientist Monica Bozeman.The study was published in the journal Artificial Intelligence for the Earth Systems.
(Springfield–jc) More reaction coming in from local lawmakers about the nearly 57 Billion Dollar State of Illinois Budget for the coming fiscal year. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet says Illinois taxpayers pay one thousand 700 more in taxes than those in neighboring states…
51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, republican from Mahomet
(Paxton–jc) Yes chickens or No Chickens, that is the question before a city of Paxton committee tonight. The city of Paxton License, Permit, Zoning and Insurance committee will look at the future of chickens on local properties when they meet at 6-30 tonight on the second floor of city hall
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs thanked members of the General Assembly for passing Senate Bill 29-68 in advancing legislation that expands investment opportunities for non-profit organizations across Illinois.
The legislation creates the Non-Profit Investment Pool, a safe and efficient investment option allowing eligible nonprofits to make the most of available funds while reducing administrative burdens. The measure is intended to help nonprofits strengthen their financial stability and maximize resources that support communities throughout the state.
WPXN News notes…
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 Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual golf outing on Friday, June 12th at Lakeview Country Club in Loda.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, June 12th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series on Friday, June 12th with Candy Foster and Shades of Blue performing in downtown.
The 2026 Mahomet Soda Fest will take place on Saturday, June 13th from 10-6.
