(Springfield-jm) – A bill on Governor JB Pritzker's desk could expand access to life-saving asthma medication at schools. The plan allows schools to keep a supply of asthma medication in secure locations that are accessible before, during, or after school where someone may be at risk. That includes practice fields, gyms and other athletic facilities. Emergency asthma treatment was provided more than 2,600 times in participating schools during the 2024-2025 school year alone.
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has awarded new HealthChoice Illinois contracts to six Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. The state agency says the new agreements will hold the organizations accountable for how they serve customers by promoting whole person care. The program impacts about 2.4 million of the Illinois Medicaid program’s 3.1 million enrollees.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association announced $24.7 million in funding for 434 entities through the Illinois Pharmacy Support Program. The program was designed to help pharmacies most at risk of closure or financial strain, especially those in rural areas, low-income areas, or populations with limited access to healthcare. Every eligible pharmacy that applied received $56,892. The 434 pharmacies getting funding span almost all of Illinois' 102 counties. Among the recipients are the Walgreens in Rantoul, the St. Joseph Apothecary in St. Joseph, Gibson Family Medicine and Scott Family Pharmacy in Gibson City, Hudson Drug Shop in Paxton, Gilman Pharmacy in Gilman and Kelly Drugs in Milford.
(USDA–dm)-What were some of the highlighted items within USDA's supply and demand estimates for U.S. and world soybean crops? Rod Bain has the story
(Champaign County-jm) – Investigators looking into three retail thefts in Urbana and Savoy believe the same person may be responsible for all of them. Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in identifying the suspect. Officials said that on May 25 and May 28, the suspect selected at least $500 in trading cards at Savoy’s Walmart and left without paying. Also on May 28, the suspect concealed approximately $160 worth of meat products at Urbana’s Schnucks and also left without paying. The suspect is described as a white male with dark facial hair with tattoos on his arms and upper right back/shoulder. He was wearing the following clothes during each theft: May 25 at Walmart — a black hat, a black tank top, khaki cargo shorts, black and gold Nike shoes, May 28 at Walmart — a black hat, a black flannel shirt, a black t-shirt with red and white lettering and camouflage cargo shorts and May 28 at Schnucks — a black Addidas sweatshirt, the same camouflage cargo shorts and the same black and gold Nike shoes.
(Iroquois County-jm) – A fourth tornado was confirmed in Iroquois County following last week's severe weather outbreak. The EF-1 tornado struck near Milford damaging several outbuildings on a property. The weather service is still assessing 7 additional tracks for potential confirmation of tornadoes. Tomorrow could be another significant severe weather day for the area.
(Melvin–dm)-The 100th Ford County Fair is underway in Melvin. Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins tells us about the activities going on today at the fairgrounds.
Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins
(Champaign–dm)-The Champaign County Coroner’s Office has identified the person that had a medical emergency at the Champaign County Correctional Center. David A. Henley, 56, of Penfield, was pronounced dead at 5:32am on June 13, 2026, at Carle Foundation Hospital Emergency Room. An autopsy has been scheduled. The incident remains under investigation by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.
(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is inviting families to participate in free fishing days from Friday through June 22. Anglers can fish on these days without purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp. The state charges $15 for resident fishing licenses. Fees for other licenses can be found on IDNR’s fishing licenses website.
(Melvin–jc) –Gibson City Melvin Sibley’s Londyn Roderick is the 2026 Miss Ford County Fair Queen. The annual pageant was held last night at the fairgrounds in Melvin. Kyra Kitzman of Gibson City was named runner up and Miss Congeniality is Raven Armstrong of Gibson City.
(Springfield–jc) –According to new analysis, Illinois has the fifth-highest average federal student loan balance in America, with the average borrower owing $39,042.
S-E-O Backlinks used state-level student loan debt data and checked total statewide balances to show the scale of debt in each location. Maryland had the highest average borrower debt with $43,781. Illinois was the only Midwestern state in the top 10.
(Chicago–jc) This is the day Illinois Governor J B Pritzker is expected to sign the largest state budget in Illinois history. The proposed budget is 55 point 9 Billion dollars. The new budget also includes 800 million dollars in more taxes for Illinoisans. The budget is balanced. The governor will sign the budget at 11 this morning.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinoisans will now have access to a large collection of high quality digital information and educational resources for free by going to their local library or the Illinois State Library’s website. The Illinois Reliable Information Sources program was announced by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. The state entered a contract with EBSCO Information Services, to provide access to more than 50 of their databases to all Illinois residents. The new service includes free access to online databases with e-books, peer-reviewed journals, magazines, newspapers and research databases on topics such as business, education, health, technology, science and more.
(Melvin–dm)-We had a chance to talk with 2025 Miss Ford County Fair Queen Charlie Ulrich and asked her advice to the next Miss Ford County Queen.
2025 Miss Ford County Queen Charlie Ulrich. Londyn Roderick of Gibson City was named the 2026 Miss Ford County Fair Queen last night.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana business is closed after they took a direct hit from a tornado last week. Beck’s Country Shop suffered significant damage from the tornado. The large sign out front is laying down, the roof was ripped off and walls collapsed. They intend to re-open but they don’t know when that will happen.
(Undated-jm) - GasBuddy reports the average price for a gallon of gas in Illinois has fallen nearly 20 cents over the past week down to $4.31. It still remains $1.10 higher than a year ago. The average price of diesel is $5.49. The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.99. In Indiana the average price for a gallon of gas is 2-90 cents.
(Paxton–dm)-The kids have been out of school for a couple of weeks, and they are bored. Paxton Library Director Deb Mason tells us about the Library’s summer reading program.
Paxton Library Director Deb Mason. You can go to the Library’s website to find more activities.
(Kempton–dm)-Thr Tri-Point Board of Education will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday June 17th. Items on the agenda include approval of the 2026-2027 budget, approve Student Handbook updates, consideration of a resolution providing for the issue and sale not to exceed $300,000 of health life safety bonds, and for the levy of taxes to pay the bonds. Also approve a contract in the amount of $19,000 to insulate the ag shop ceiling. Also the board will have an acknowledgement of the retirement of Scott Saffer. The Board will hold an Amended budget hearing at 6:15, followed by the regular meeting at 6:30
(The Center Square) – The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., aimed at strengthening oversight of federal childcare assistance programs and cracking down on fraud.
Speaking on the House floor, Miller urged support for H.R. 7726, the Stop Childcare Scams Act, saying the measure aligns with efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration “to rid the federal government of waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Miller argued the Childcare and Development Block Grant program has long been vulnerable to improper payments and fraud. Citing a 2020 report from the Government Accountability Office, she said there were an estimated $325 million in improper payments nationwide during fiscal year 2019.
WPXN News notes
The 100th annual Ford County Fair will take place now through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Melvin. Tonight its Family night, children's tractor pull and talent show at 7. On Wednesday and Thursday its the Illiana truck and tractor pulls at 6:30. On the 19th its Journey Tribute Band Resurrection at 7:30. On the 20th its the Demolition Derby at 6:30pm.
Ford County ROSC and the Ford/Iroquois Farm Bureau will host a free rural mental health training on Tuesday, June 16th from 4-6 pm at the Kruse Center in Gibson City.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Gibson Area Hospital on Thursday, June 18th from 11:30-5:30.
Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series on Friday, June 19th with New Souls performing in downtown from 6-9pm.
The 2026 Buckley Fun Day will take place on Saturday, June 20th with the ladies aid bake sale and sportsmans club fishing derby at 9 am, tractor show from 10-2, golfing into the lake and kids inflatables from 11-2, CLHS food stand at 11 am, 4-H coloring contest 11-noon, tractor parade at noon, bingo from 1-2, kids tractor pull at 2 and the Lions Club Duck Race at 3:17pm.
The 2026 Fisher Blues, Brews and BBQ festival will take place on Saturday, June 20th from 11am-10pm.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich supper on Friday, June 26th from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, June 27th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.
