(Undated-jm) — The WPXN listening area missed out on the worst of the severe weather yesterday. The day started with a level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk however morning rains kept the severe threat to the south. Tornadoes were reported on the ground near Springfield, Charleston and Effingham. Large hail was also reported. The only issues in the WPXN listening area was heavy rain that brought flooding.
(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced on Wednesday that some senior drivers will soon have an easier time renewing their driver’s licenses. Starting July 1, Illinois will be eliminating the mandatory behind-the-wheel driving tests for Illinois drivers ages 79 to 86, Giannoulias said. This change is part of the Road Safety & Fairness Act, which raises the age at which senior drivers will have to take the tests from 79 to 87. Drivers aged 79 to 86 will still need to pass a vision screening to renew their licences. Drivers aged 81 to 86 will need to renew their licence every two years, with only a vision test. Drivers aged 87 and older will still need to renew their licence annually with a vision test and a behind-the-wheel test. Illinois is the only state that requires senior drivers to have their behind-the-wheel skills tested annually.
(Mahomet–jc) Illinois Governor J B Pritzker signed the new fiscal year budget into law this week. It is the highest amount of spending in the state’s history at 55 point 9 Billion dollars. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose Republican from Mahomet says the democrat majority continues to spend more each year and will look for even more money during the fall veto session…
51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet
(Rantoul–jc) The Maverick Pipe Group in Rantoul is expanding its operations in the village and village leaders are helping with a redevelopment agreement with the local company. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third talks about the expansion and agreement…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign City Council voted 7-0 on a construction bid for phase two of the expansion to the downtown plaza. The expansion will be at Neil and Washington Streets, and it will fill in the nearby parking lot and add a green space. There will also be upgrades to the surrounding streets. A $12 million grant is paying for most of the project, and nearly $2 million of TIF money and tax revenue will also go to the plaza. Construction is expected to start in August.
(Benton–jc) A federal jury has convicted a former Harrisburg man for manufacturing and possessing unregistered short-barreled rifles and possessing unregistered silencers. Yaroslav Vishnevski, 33, was charged in May 2024 after U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted a package from China containing unregistered silencers addressed to his residence. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Benton courthouse.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Park District pool is up and running for the summer. There were a lot of thank you’s from the Paxton Park District Board to those getting the pool open for the season. Paxton Park District Board Interim President Craig Kief talks about several of those…
Paxton Park District Interim President Craig Kief
(The Center Square) – A state representative has filed new legislation aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois, but Governor J-.B Pritzker says the Bears have to decide what they want first. 52nd District State Representative, Republican Martin McLaughlin of Barrington Hills filed his legislation this week. House Bill 57-97 applies to private developments with more than Two and a half Billion dollars of investments located in counties with more than one million people. The proposal calls for the state to spend 1 point two Billion dollars on the project.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois waterfowl blind drawings sites and schedule for the 2026 season have been released. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will conduct the blind drawings at public hunting sites across the state in July and August. Applicants need to present a 2025 or 2026 regular Illinois hunting license. Apprentice licenses will not be accepted. Youth license holders must also present hunter safety certification. Hunters must also provide a 2025 or 2026 Illinois migratory waterfowl stamp, unless exempt by law, and a valid photo ID at registration. Applicants need to be 16 or older by the drawing date.
(Paxton–jc) The state of Illinois is looking into legislation to regulate the use of E-Bikes and scooters.City of Paxton leaders are also wanting to put some regulations into place as these types of vehicles are used in the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the city is looking for direction from the state for safety and more…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Northern Illinois–jc0 The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has launched the Grow Chicago initiative to support the success of local businesses and boost economic development According to the chamber’s 2025 Chicagoland Small Business Outlook Survey, conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago College of Business, 70% of respondents said they expected the local economy to get worse in the coming year, a dramatic increase from 43% the year before.
(Bloomington-jm) – Bloomington’s Miller Park Zoo saw the birth of four red wolf pups earlier this month, a critically endangered species, with only 25 known to be left in the wild. The newborns are considered important, because of the animals’ endangered status, but the zoo said the end goal is to raise them to eventually be released back into the wild and add to their population. The zoo was able to find a male for the female red wolf, after its last male red wolf passed away late last year. For those interested in seeing the pups, the zoo said to keep an eye on its social media to see when they’re ready for the public. For now, if viewers go early enough, the mom red wolf peeks outside early in the morning to view spectators.
(Melvin–jc) Activities at the Ford County Fair were cancelled for last night due to wet weather. Ford County Fair Spokesperson Diane Perkins says the fair has an Illiana Truck and Tractor Pull set for Tonight, the Journey Cover band Resurrection set for Friday night and another big day on Saturday…
Ford County Fair Spokesperson Diane Perkins
(Normal-jm) – Illinois State University’s leaders are less than thrilled about the state budget, signed Tuesday by Gov. Pritzker, which provides a much smaller funding increase than ISU’s president requested. Universities never receive all they want at budget time, but the state spending plan that takes effect July 1 did not come close to President Aondover Tarhule’s request. The budget allocates almost $83 million for the university, a 1% increase, or about $822,000 more than the previous fiscal year. The governor’s office is also releasing 2% in reserve funding, which amounts to approximately $1.6 million, for the current fiscal year. Tarhule, appearing before an Illinois House committee in April, asked for $20 million more to help pay for financial aid for low-income students, and to keep up with higher operating costs to keep up with inflation.
(Buckley–jc) Buckley Fun Day is this Saturday with activities at Buckley Lake. The day starts with a fishing derby and St John’s Ladies Bake sale. Buckley Fun Day Spokesperson Denise Forrster says lots of activities are planned to start at 11am…
Buckley Fun Day Spokesperson Denise Forrster. WPXN will be stopping by Saturday morning as part of our Summer Fun Tour 2026. It’s stop number 3
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker has signed legislation that provides 110 million dollars in state taxpayer funds during fiscal year 2027 to expand and invest in Medicaid services. The governor’s office says the taxpayer funds will build a foundation to protect patients in anticipation of federal legislation impacting the health care system in Illinois.
WPXN News notes…
The 100th annual Ford County Fair will take place through the 20th at the fairgrounds in Melvin. Today, its an Illiana truck and tractor pulls at 6:30. On Friday night its Journey Tribute Band Resurrection at 7:30. The annual Demo Derby is set for Saturday night at 6:30.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Gibson Area Hospital on today 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 Buckley Fire Department will hold a pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday, June 20th from 6-10 am at the Buckley Fire Station.
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.
Onarga will hold their Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 27th. The parade will take place at 11 am, antique tractor pull at noon, talent show and lazy days car show at 1, firemens water ball, bingo, and petting zoo at 2, kiddie tractor pull at 3, Live Music by The Fairchilds at 4 along with adult and kid retro games at 4.
Rankin will hold their Independence Day celebration on Saturday, June 27th. The day starts with a fun walk/run at 8 am, community church service at 10, food stands open at 11, bingo 11:30-12:30, kids games 12:30-1:30, car show 1-4, cake walk at 1:30, foam party 2-3, kids activities from 4-8, live music from 3:30-9 and fireworks at dusk.
Hoopeston will hold their Red, White and Boom on Friday, July 3rd with a color run at 8 am, car show at 10, chili cookoff at noon, touch a truck from 2-4, golf cart and pet parade at 4, red white and boom party featuring inflatables, cornhole tournament and watermelon eating from 4:30-7:30, 90 proof performing at 7:30 and fireworks at dusk at the soccer fields.
