(Springfield-jm) – New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the unemployment rate in Illinois remained stable in May while payroll jobs were up for the third straight month. The Illinois Department of Employment Security published the data on Thursday, saying unemployment was at 5.1% while the state added 6,000 jobs. The number of unemployed persons — 336,300 — fell by 0.3 percentage points from April, but is up by 15.3% compared to the same month one year ago. The labor force also shrank by 0.2%.
(Paxton–jc) – The city of Paxton is continuing talks with a solar farm company on the prospects of bringing a solar operation that would benefit the city and its residents. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says initial talks have taken place and the city council will meet with the company to see if it is a good fit for Paxton…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and hundreds of other law enforcement to crack down on impaired and unbuckled drivers over the Fourth of July holiday. There will be high-visibility enforcement throughout the state from June 19 through July 6.
(Rantoul–jc) The Maverick Pipe Company along with Combe Labs are expanding operations in the village of Rantoul. That means more quality jobs in the village. Village leaders continue to also work with Parkland College on their jobs programs, to train people for those jobs says RantouL Mayor Sam Hall the Third…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Urbana-jm) – The Illini Alert system on the University of Illinois campus will be one of several things being incorporated into a new app. The University of Illinois Police Department announced the development of Illini-Alert+, the official safety app of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Division of Public Safety. The app will include not just Illini alert notifications, but also emergency action guides and plans and also a “friend walk” request so people are not walking across campus alone.
(Ford County–dm)-Ford County Residents will soon find their Ford County Real Estate Tax Bills in the mail. Ford County Treasurer Taylor Burnett has some important dates to remember
Ford County Treasurer Taylor Burnett
(The Center Square) – State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible illegal immigrant students. The increased spending is heating up debate over who should receive state taxpayers-funded higher education benefits. Currently, around 21 states and the District of Columbia offer in-state tuition eligibility to certain illegal immigrant students, and 18 states and D.C. provide access to state financial aid programs, according to Higher Ed immigration. In Illinois, access to state financial aid through House Bill 460 was signed into law by the Gov. J.B. Pritzker in December 2025. Illinois allocated over $700 million for MAP grants during the 2024 fiscal year.
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced on Thursday that the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at Five point One percent in May. The number is almost one percentage point higher than it was one year ago, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Total nonfarm payrolls saw a third consecutive over-the-month increase in May, up 6,000 to 6.2 million.
(Southern Illinois–jc) Teams are continuing to survey damage after severe thunderstorms pounded parts of central and southern Illinois on Wednesday.
There were reports of tornadoes, including one in the Effingham and Charleston areas, along with wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour, hail as large as three inches in diameter and localized flooding.
(Springfield-jm) — Gov. JB Pritzker gave Chicago Bears fans hope earlier this month when he said he's open to a special session to keep the team in Illinois. However, Democratic leaders say they're not bringing lawmakers back to work until the Bears return to the negotiating table. The Bears have shifted focus to building a stadium across the border, forcing Illinois to make a Hail Mary attempt, but when will the Springfield politicos return to their home field? Pritzker said the team has called him and members of his administration with thoughts about ways to move forward, but the Bears have not been clear about the bill they need passed or whether they have the votes. Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch told his members that they will work on a plan to save the Bears throughout the summer. Yet, no hearings have been scheduled, and many are asking why representatives are holding the ball.The General Assembly is not scheduled to return to Springfield until the veto session begins Nov. 17. Some say more lawmakers will be willing to support a Bears bill after the Nov. 3 election.
(Chicago-jm) – Former President Barack Obama formally opened his presidential center in Chicago on Thursday with a call to defend democracy as three former presidents joined him on stage in an extraordinary event featuring politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures. Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Eddie Vedder took turns on the stage ahead of Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder, who closed the show singing “Higher Ground” as the former presidents, world leaders and others danced along.
(Melvin–dm)-The Ford County Fair continues, and Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins tells us what’s going on at the fair today…
Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins
(Urbana-jm) – Several streets in Urbana will be temporarily closed this afternoon to accommodate a Juneteenth parade. The parade will begin at East Colorado Avenue and South Philo Road and travel west on Colorado Avenue to South Vine Street. Participants will then head north on Vine Street to Florida Avenue, east on Florida Avenue to South Philo Road, and conclude at South Philo Road and East Colorado Avenue.
(Washington–jc) What do the U S DA meat prices look like for June?. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski has the numbers…
World Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski
(Undated-jm) – Today is Juneteenth. It’s a federal holiday so banks and government buildings are closed today. There will also be no mail delivery today. All services will be up and running either Saturday or Monday.
(Buckley–jc) The village of Buckley has its “Fun Day” set for Saturday. The day starts with a St John’s Ladies Aid Bake Sale and a Buckley Sportsman’s Club Fishing Derby. Buckley Fun Day Spokesperson Denise Forrster talks about some activities in the afternoon, including the “duck” race…
Buckley Fun Day Spokesperson Denise Forrster
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation elevating the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission to the cabinet-level Illinois Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship. Among other things, House Bill 862 creates a new advisory council within the department, joining the current Division of Legal Advocacy and Division of Disability Rights and Protections.
The new department is slated to begin operations on July 1, 2027.
(Gilman–dm)-The Iroquois West School Board will have their regular school board meeting on Monday, June 22nd. Items on the agenda include approval of the Life/Health/Safety 10 year survey, renew their property/casualty and liability insurance policies. Also they will have the first reading of the employee handbook as well as the first reading of many board policiesThe board meeting will start at 7pm in the High School Board Room
(Springfield–jc0 The Illinois Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts have announced that Jerome Galang will be the new director of the Illinois Judicial College. Galang most recently worked as assistant division director at the Federal Judicial Center and previously served eight years in the Judicial Education Division and Judicial College Division of the AOIC.
(Bloomington–jc) The Illinois High School Association Board has finalized expectations that require schools to have a 35-second shot clock for varsity boys and girls basketball games, starting with the 2026-27 IHSA season.
The IHSA says if a shot clock is not installed or properly mounted, the host school must secure an alternate facility or allow the opponent to host the contest.
WPXN News notes…
Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series tonight 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.
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, firemen's 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.
