(Springfield-jm) – A bill to help sexual assault surviors when they first interact with police is awaiting the Governor’s signature. The plan requires law enforcement to tell survivors they can request to be interviewed by an officer of their sex or gender. It also states police should inform survivors they can have a support person with them during the interview.
(Springfield-jm) – A bill on the governor's desk could help homeless students find housing. The plan allows school districts to provide an extended motel stay for students and their parents, guardians or the person who enrolled them in school.
(Springfield—jc) Legislation which raises the age for mandatory road tests for older drivers passed by the general assembly last Spring will officially go into effect next Wednesday. Dean Abbott reports…
(Paxton-jm) – The PBL school board will meet Thursday evening for a special meeting. The biggest topic of conversation will be naming a new high school principal after current principal Hannah Eshleman was named assistant superintendent.
(Rantoul–jc) The village of Rantoul made some structural changes to their police force. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third talks about the structure from chief to lieutenants…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Champaign-jm) – The man who pleaded guilty to starting a fire in a Champaign church last year has received the maximum sentence for the arson charge against him. Dalton Whitlock was sentenced to 10 years in prison for arson at a place of worship. Whitlock pled guilty to the November 2025 fire at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.
(Rankin–jc) The 20-26 Rankin Celebration is set for Friday and Saturday in the Vermilion County town. Its a huge tractor pull on Friday and a full day of activities on Saturday. Rantoul Celebration spokesperson Mark Eighner says the tractor pull has two tracks to run all evening…
Rankin Celebration Spokesperson Mark Eighner. WPXN will be broadcasting live on Friday afternoon in the 5pm hour to kick off the 2 day event.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has joined nine fellow governors urging Congress to reject recently-introduced legislation they say preempts the authority of state and local governments to implement laws that protect residents from climate change. In a letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders, the governors say Senate Bill 4340 and HR 8330 also strip state and local governments of their ability to pursue legal action when corporations harm residents with pollution.
Chicago, IL – Operation Lifesaver has designated today, June 24 as Emergency Notification System Sign Awareness Day to highlight the importance of blue and white signs posted at rail crossings across the country. Illinois has the second largest rail system of any state in the US with approximately 14,553 rail crossings and bridges statewide. The network is operated by 91 railroads or industries providing rail service to ports and industrial facilities across the state.
The blue and white signs may be used to report other non-emergency safety issues at specific locations, such as malfunctioning warning gates and signals.
(Undated-jm) – Halfway through the year and Illinois has overtaken the previous record for most tornadoes recorded in a single year. The previous record was 142 set in 2024. So far, we sit at 149 and that number is expected to go up as surveys continue from storms over the weekend. Peak tornado season for Illinois is April through June however, severe weather and tornadoes can occur any time of year.
(Undated-jm) – President Donald Trumps “One Big Beautiful Bill” severely impacted two of Illinois’ most economically vulnerable groups” the hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans set to lose SNAP food assistance this year and the small farmers who are losing them as customers. The bill expanded the work requirements to previously exempt groups and eliminated benefits for immigrants living in the U-S under humanitarian protections. The governor’s office estimates that 360,000 Illinoisans will lose benefits due to the changes. The bill also shifts 25 percent more administrative expenses to the state and eliminated funding for SNAP-Ed. Among the programs in SNAP-Ed was Link Match will allowed SNAP recipients to purchase locally grown food from farmers markets, farm steads, food co-ops and small grocers.
(Washingtron–jc)What does the soybean crop look like around the state and nation. U-S-D-A meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses soybean crop conditions among states as this week
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Oakwood-jm) — Injuries were reported following a multi vehicle accident on I–74 near Oakwood Tuesday evening. It happened in the westbound lanes just after 5:30pm.
(Paxton–jc) The city of Paxton now has a hearing officer to help with building and code issues that come before the town. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the council made the hire this month…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Mahomet-jm) — The Mahomet Seymour School District is looking for feedback on how to deal with crowded classrooms. Previously, two referendums failed because people didn’t want the property tax increase. But the problem hasn’t gone away, and they need a fix as the community grows. Right now the district is using portable classrooms to fight overcrowding. The district is offering three proposals: option one would be a new junior high building at a cost of $84 million with no tax increase, option two would be a new junior high and a multipurpose room for PE at Lincoln Trail Elementary at a cost of $98 million and a property tax increase of around $200 a year on a $350,000 home. The third option would see a new junior high, classroom additions to Lincoln Trail Elementary and Middletown Prairie converting the admin space into a student space at a cost of around $127 million.
(Fisher–jc) One area community is celebrating its 150th anniversary in early July. That is the town of Fisher. The celebration is July 3rd through July 6th with the Fisher Community Fair to follow. Fisher Sesquicentennial Celebration Spokesperson Kim Clemmons says she remembers the Centennial celebration as a young child…
Fisher Sesquicentennial Celebration Spokesperson Kim Clemmons. Fireworks, lots of food, a wide variety of food and music hilite the 4 day event in Fisher.
(Springfield–jc) –Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Tuesday unveiled a new community investment program designed to build affordable housing, help nonprofits, and generate returns for the state. Frerichs invested $10 million with I-F-F, a Chicago-based Community Development Financial Institution that promotes economic development by providing financing and real estate consulting across the Midwest to nonprofits and people underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income communities.
(The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officials have arrested a Venezuelan national who was accused of helping two alleged Tren de Aragua members evade law enforcement after a December 2024 shooting that left three people dead and others injured in Chicago. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says police found weapons in 32-year-old Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti’s vehicle after she drove the two alleged shooters, Ricardo Granadillo Padilla and Edward Martinez Cermeno, following the crime. Both Granadillo Padilla and Martinez Cermeno were arrested and deported, but neither man was charged after being arrested in connection with the shooting.
WPXN News notes…
The 27th annual Rankin Lions Club Truck and Tractor Pull will take place on Friday, June 26th at 6pm at Centennial Park.
Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series on Friday, June 26th with In Blue performing in downtown.
The Onarga American Legion will hold a fish fry on Friday, June 26th from 4:30-7pm at the Legion Building at Durham Park.
The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday, June 27th from 9-2.
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.
