(Springfield-jm) – Two major insurance reform plans have arrived on the governor’s desk just weeks after tornadoes and other intense storms ripped through central Illinois. Lawmakers hope to protect consumers from unfair rate hikes for homeowner and auto insurance. House Bill 4273 would ban insurance companies from increasing homeowner insurance premiums by more than 10 percent without notifying consumers 60 days in advance. It also prohibits home insurance premiums from being excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.  The Illinois Insurance Association says the change could cause homeowner insurance premiums to increase up to 20 percent. Another bill would ban insurance companies from increasing auto premiums by more than 10 percent without notifying consumers 30 days before their renewal date. The insurance industry says this change could harm consumers through higher auto rates and fewer coverage options.

 

(Oakwood==jc)  State police were on the scene of a traffic crash near Oakwood on Sunday. Traffic was being re routed to local roads for several hours. Minor injuries were reported. Traffic is back to normal in that area near Oakwood this morning

 

(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Masonic Lodge Number 4-16 is again hosting a “Get out of Dodge” Fundraiser with another grant prize from the Grove Family of Paxton. Paxton Masonic Lodge  4-16 Spokesperson Jim Shearl says this year’s grand prize is a theatre performance trip to either Hawaii or London England…

 

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Paxton Masonic Lodge Spokesperson Jim Shearl. Tickets are available from lodge members or Hudson Drug and Hallmark and Kirchner Building Center of Paxton . Drawing date is Saturday September 19th in downtown Paxton 

 

(Springfield-jm) —- Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced Friday that Representative Harry Benton has resigned following the results of an ethics investigation into sexual harassment allegations. Welch had called for his resignation and had planned to expel him from the House if he refused.

 

(Fisher–dm)-The Fisher Fair runs through July 11th.  Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter gives us a rundown of the fair’s activities.

 

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Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter

 

(The Center Square) – U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros says 179 people have been charged in a badgeless federal initiative to arrest violent offenders. Boutros said multiple agencies came together under the U.S. flag for about 60 days in Operation New Dawn. In addition to the 179 defendants charged, prosecutors said 24 children were located and returned home.

 

(Iroquois County-jjm) – The Iroquois County Treasurer’s Office is reminding residents that the last day to pay the first installment of property taxes without penalty is this Friday. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Taxes are also payable at all Iroquois County banks, through the mail, at the office’s dropbox on the south side of the county building or online 

 

(Champaign–)-Champaign County History Museum and Lincoln Legacy Committee plan public readings of the Declaration of Independence.  WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the story.

 

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(Illinois–dm)-Illinoisans are invited to chronicle their stories, memories and reflections in audio recordings that will be archived at the U.S. Library of Congress. Illinois Voices 250, an initiative led by the Illinois America 250 Commission in partnership with Illinois Humanities and StoryCorps Studios, scheduled free community recording days, including Wednesday at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Sessions are also scheduled at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield from Aug. 13 to Aug. 22. A do-it-yourself option is available online.

 

(United States–dm)- It started on July 4th. Trump Accounts officially launched. Every American child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, is eligible to open an investment account and receive an initial $1,000 deposit to help build a stronger financial future. If you haven't already, visit TrumpAccounts.gov to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

 

(Undated-jm) – It was a warm and wet 4th of July weekend but most Independence celebrations went on without any issues. Crowds packed Paxtons Pells Park for their old-fashioned 4th of July celebration before making their way to Bixby Park for fireworks. In Rantoul, crowds lined the streets for their annual 4th of July parade. Festivities in Sibley also went off without a hitch. Champaign’s Freedom Celebration went on with hundreds gathered to watch the parade and many more gathered around the State Farm Center for the fireworks.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –A new study says that Illinois residents rank second among those most concerned about their finances, with 269 money-related searches per 100,000 people every month. CreditDonkey examined Google Keyword Planner search data and found that New York was the most money-stressed state, followed by Illinois and Texas. Missouri was tenth.

 

(USDA–dm)-When it comes to the separate and cook aspects of food safety, what are some applicable tips in smoking meats and preventing foodborne bacteria?  Rod Bain has the story.

 

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(Urbana-jm) – A Champaign County fire protection district will not be dissolved, at least not yet. A petition was submitted in Champaign County court to put to the voters of the Carroll Fire Protection District in Urbana to fold it into the Eastern Prairie Fire Department in Champaign. The fire chief for the Carroll Fire Protection District told WCIA he was not aware the petition that went around was to dissolve the fire department.

 

(Paxton–jc)  With hot weather, one good options for kids and adults is a swimming pool. The Paxton Park District Pool is open for the summer and they have designated hours for adults and kids says Paxton Park District Interim President Craig Kief…

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Paxton Park District Interim President Crag Kief

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says he is pleased with a U.S. District Court of Massachusetts decision to vacate a U.S. Department of Education rule that restricted eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Raoul, 21 other state attorneys general, Chicago and other cities, and a group of nonprofits and labor unions challenged the rule allowing government and nonprofit employees to have their federal student loans forgiven after 10 years of qualifying public service. Raoul said the rule would have given the federal government the power to deem state governments, hospitals, schools and nonprofit organizations ineligible for the loan forgiveness program based on their support for immigrants, gender-affirming health care or diversity programs. The decision announced on Tuesday came one day before the rule was set to take effect.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Village of Rantoul leaders will look at several referendum issues that could possibly appear on the November third ballot when they meet on Tuesday night in study session. The first would be a question of village wide election of trustees to the local board rather than the current local district method. The second issue would be the authorization of allowing Cannabis Establishments in Rantoul. The Rantoul Village Board meets on Tuesday night at 6 at the village offices on Tanner Street.

 

WPXN News notes…

Fisher will conclude their sesquicentennial celebration tonight with the lighted parade at the Fisher Community Fair at 7:30pm.

 

Congresswoman Robin Kelly and State Senator Paul Faraci will hold mobile office hours in Rantoul at the Rantoul Business Center on Wednesday, July 8th from 1-4pm.

 

 

The 2026 Historic Farm Days in Penfield will take place Thursday, July 9th through Sunday, July 12th. This year’s featured tractor is Allis Chalmers. On the 9th, the opening ceremony begins at 9 am, 10 am is the antique tractor auction and a tractor parade at 1pm. On the 10th its tractor games at10 am, tractor parade at 1pm, kiddie tractor pulls at 2:30 and ITPA sanctioned tractor pulls at 5pm. On the 11th, its tractor games at 10, kiddie tractor pulls at 2:30, ITPA tractor pulls at 5 and fireworks at dusk. On the 12th its Penfield's 150th anniversary celebration at 8am and tractor drive at 9 am.

 

Gibson City will celebrate America’s 250th with a full day of activities on Saturday, July 11th starting with a farmers market at 10 am, car and truck show at 11 am, parade at 12:30, following the parade there will be inflatables and foam machine, face painting, games for all ages, bingo and live music with Dave and Lisa at 1pm, Kalynn Little at 3, the Back Paiges at 4 and Lexi Tieffel at 7:30 pm.

 

The Cissna Park Athletic Booster Club will hold their golf outing on Saturday, July 11th at Shewami Country Club. Cost is $85 per person or $340 per foursome. To register, call Matt Boyce at 815-202-3208.