(Springfield-jm) - The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Thursday that essential data and information from the judicial branch will be released annually in an effort to improve transparency. Some of the data that will be included is activity of all criminal, family and juvenile cases, orders of protection issued or granted, total cases under probation supervision, number of people sentenced on electronic monitoring or home confinement and number of petitions revoked.
(Springfield–jc)--The state of Illinois has a nearly 57 Billion dollar budget passed by the Democrat majority in Springfield. One republican conservative, says taxes for all Illinoisans will be going up by over 800 Million more dollars, when it is signed by the Governor. Reaction from 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County’s Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk is facing federal wire fraud charges following an indictment by a grand jury this week. Titianna Ammons was inducted on three counts for allegedly defrauding the U-S Department of Labor and Illinois Department of Employment Security. Ammons is the daughter of Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons and State Representative Carol Ammons. She faces up to 30 years in prison per count because the alleged fraud involves federally declared disaster relief.
(Champaign–dm)-While the recently planted crops need the rain, the hay farmers are liking the dry weather. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady gives us an update on the hay baling in the area.
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady
(Melvin-jm) – Contestants for the 2026 Ford County Fair have until the end of the business day today to submit entry forms. Fair officials extended the deadline to today. Divisional winners advance to state competition in Springfield in January. The talent show at the Ford County Fair is Monday, June 15th in the Dance Building.
(Urbana–jc) A Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed with the city of Urbana, claims the city withheld records related to a January 2025 drunk driving crash that killed two women and injured three other people. Judicial Watch filed suit in Champaign County circuit court on Thursday. Julio Cucul-Bol, a Guatemalan national who was unlawfully present in the United States, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the crash that killed Chloe Polzin, 21, and Katie Abraham, 20.
(Area–jc) Some area Fire Departments and E-M-T Groups received some grant money from the state. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Kankakee–dm)-The tradition of celebrating Independence Day with live music followed by fireworks will continue Saturday, July 4 along the south banks of the Kankakee River. The event will include three live music performances. Kankakee Community College gates open at 4:30 p.m., and admission is $20 per carload – cash only. All proceeds benefit the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra. Food concessions will be available beginning at 5:00 p.m. Vendors will be Jimmy Jo’s BBQ, Martinez Tacos, Lauren’s Hot Apple Dumplings, Brewhead Espresso, and Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra Concessions.
(Rantoul–dm)-The Rantoul Historical Society and Museum is located at 1040 East Pine Street in Rantoul. which is across the street from the Dairy Queen. Rantoul/Paxton VFW Adjutant Jim Cheek has more information.
Rantoul/Paxton VFW Adjutant Jim Cheek. The museum is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10-3 and Sundays from Noon -3pm
(The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he thinks state lawmakers will eventually pass data center regulations, but questions remain over why legislation stalled this spring. The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition said the state’s House and Senate leadership is woefully out of touch for continuing data center tax breaks and failing to advance basic protections. Senate Bill 4016 and House Bill 5513 include provisions to prohibit cost shifting, ensure data centers power their own operations, and provide clean energy incentives. The POWER Act also would prevent data centers from signing nondisclosure agreements with local governments. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he proposed pausing the tax credits.
(Springfield-jm) – New legislation heading to Governor Pritzker’s desk establishes the state’s first framework to regulate electric transportation devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters. The Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign from the Secretary of State’s office is the first of its kind statewide effort to address the rapid rise of electric mobility devices through education, training enforcement and modernized safety standards. Illinois currently has no laws that govern e-bikes. Under the framework, people riding e–bikes and e-motos capable of traveling over 28 mph would be required to have a drivers license, title, registration and insurance. E-scooters, electric skateboards and electric unicycles would also be prohibited from driving over 28 mph on roads, bike lanes, on bike paths and on sidewalks.
(USDA–dm)-There’s not been much rain lately,USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey provides a list of states with significant topsoil moisture shortage as of May 31.
(Champaign County-jm) - The Champaign Urbana Public Health District’s mosquito surveillance and abatement program is back. Members will travel around the community, catching mosquitos to test for west nile virus.
(Paxton–jc) The Friday Night Free concert in downtown Paxton is tomorrow night. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says the Band Back in Time is back again on Friday…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper. The concessions stand opens at 6 with the band at 7pm at Veterans Square.
(Undated-jm) – Drought conditions are making a return to Central Illinois. The latest drought monitor issued Thursday shows moderate drought across far northern Ford County, far northwestern Iroquois County and the western half of Kankakee County. Abnormally dry conditions cover the rest of Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Champaign and most of Vermilion Counties. The good news is there is some rain in the forecast for tonight through this weekend and into early next week however temperatures are also supposed to rise to near 90 this weekend and low to mid 90s next week.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Park District pool is open for the season. Paxton Park district Interim President Craig Kief says those needing pool passes and information about the Paxton Pirates Swim team can find more information on line…
Paxton Park District Interim President Craig Kief
(Springfield–dm)-Illinois U.S. Reps Bill Foster and Delia Ramirez have introduced legislation that would require the U.S. attorney general to deploy legal orientation programs in detention centers and jails that house immigrants. A statement from Foster’s office said the Know Your Rights Act would address due process violations that occur in immigration detention facilities. The proposal requires the orientation and legal notice of rights to be available in English and the five most common languages of detainees held at each facility.
(Illinois–jc) Two Quincy men are facing charges after a narcotics investigation by Illinois State Police. Special agents arrested Jaret Shear, 25, and Israel Gordon, 21, after executing four search warrants at two homes and a business.
State police say agents found more than 20 pounds of black-market cannabis, more than 80 grams of cocaine, more than 200 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, firearms ammunition and a large amount of U.S. currency.
(Roberts–jc) The 20-26 Roberts Fun Day is tomorrow in the Ford County town. Roberts Fun Day Spokesperson Jessa Loveall provides a run down of events…
Roberts Fun Day Spokesperson Jessa Loveall
WPXN will be broadcasting live in roberts at 10am on Saturday
WPXN News notes..
Paxton townwide garage sales will take place Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th.
The village of Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series tonight with Aces N’ Rhythms in downtown Rantoul.
Paxton Main Street will hold their First Friday concert tonight with Back in Time performing at Veterans Square from 7-9 pm. The concession stand opens at 6.
Logan Kirby will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday, June 6th at 7pm. Cost is $10.
Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 will hold a 5k on Sunday, June 7th from 8-10:30 at Carle at the Fields.
The 2026 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour will stop in Rantoul on Tuesday, June 9th at 11 am.
