(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Flash Index for June 2026 rose to 101.4 from 101.1 in May. Individual income tax, corporate tax and sales tax receipts all increased compared to the same month last year after adjusting for inflation. For the fiscal year ending June 30, combined revenues from the three tax sources were up over the last fiscal year in real terms, led by strong individual income tax receipts.
(Undated-jm) – Another week, another decrease in the average price of gas. GasBuddy reported on Monday that the nosedive that gas prices have taken this summer extended into its 8th week. The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Illinois is $3.95. That’s 13 cents cheaper than the previous week, 55 cents cheaper than a month ago and down $1.14 from the peak on May 14th. It’s also the first time that gas has been below $4 since early April. The National average is $3.71, down 86 cents from its peak on May 20th. The National average for diesel is $4.76, down 12 cents from a week ago and 86 cents cheaper than the peak in May.
(Rantoul–jc) – An Air Force remediation meeting is set for Wednesday night in the village of Rantoul. The Air Force continues to monitor portions of the former Chanute Air Force Base for any forever type chemicals. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the third says none have been found in recent years, but it is a good thing to continue to work with the Air Force…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third. The meeting comes to order at 7 on Wednesday night in the village hall meeting room on Tanner Street.
(Danville-jm) – Due to high temperatures and a broken air conditioner, hours at Vermilion County’s Cannon Building are reduced. The building's 40 year old cooling tower quit working. It's unknown when normal hours will resume.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crimestoppers are asking for the public's help in solving a retail theft from three months ago. The theft happened on April 6th at the Meijer on Prospect Avenue. Police said two women picked out numerous items that included a large bag. One of the females distracted an employee while the other attempted to remove the security spider wrap off the high dollar items. The suspects then concealed the items in the large back and fled with nearly $600 in stolen merchandise.The women were described as black between 18 and 25 years old with red hair.
(Kempton–jc) For the Republican party and other conservatives in Illinois, the on going message is education and conversations about the high taxes and high spending from state leaders in Springfield. Ford County Republican Spokesperson Tom Bennett of Gibson City says that is one reason for Saturday breakfast meetings in the county…
Ford County Republican Party Spokesperson Tom Bennett. The next breakfast is set for this Saturday morning at 8-15 to 9-30 at Tom’s Tavern in Kempton. The event is free to attend, breakfast is available for purchase
(Paxton–jc) – The Ford County Executive Committee is set to appoint a new Emergency Management Agency coordinator when they meet in Paxton on Tuesday night. The position has been vacant since Terry Whitebird retired from the job. A position on the Ford County Board is also open and will be up for discussion. The Ford County Executive Committee meeting comes to order at 4-30 Tuesday afternoon at the courthouse in Paxton
(Fisher–dm)-The Fisher Fair is running now through Saturday July 11th, Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter tells about a special kids day on Wednesday
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Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter
Today it’s Bingo at 1pm and Fair Dedication Day. Swyear Amusements on the midway and Multirotor races tonight
(Springfield–jc) –The Citizens Utility Board said a proposed $26.5 million hike by Aqua Illinois could increase average water bills by more than $23 a month.
CUB said in a statement that its legal team is now challenging more than $955 million in proposed increases from ComEd, Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, Illinois American Water, MidAmerican Energy, and Aqua Illinois.
(Effingham–jc) –Illinois State Police are investigating after a man was gravely injured when a gun went off during an incident at an Effingham church.
Local police and Effingham County sheriff’s officers responded to a report of a suspicious man wishing to speak with the pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Sunday. During a struggle, the man allegedly produced a firearm and was struck when it discharged. The man was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, but police said no one else was injured.
(Springfield-jm) — Governor J-B Pritzker signed a bill Monday to create safety standards and transparency requirements for large artificial intelligence developers. Developers like Chat GPT and Claude will be required to give Illinois an independent annual report documenting the mechanisms they use to address catastrophic risk. Lawmakers also demanded AI companies report critical safety issues within 72 hours of learning about them or 24 hours if the incident poses an imminent risk of death or physical harm.
(Springfield–dm)-(The Center Square) – After two days of calls for his resignation by Democrat leaders, embattled Illinois state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, stepped down. The two-term Democrat also signaled he’ll suspend his reelection campaign, pulling his name from the November ballot. The official resignation letter was released on Friday by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
(Paxton–jc) Redevelopment agreements continue for some Paxton downtown businesses. One major development is improvements on the Super Wok Chinese restaurant on north Market Street says Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Melvin-jm) – The Village of Melvin will be looking for a new president. Amber Hoffmann has announced her resignation effective this Friday. Hoffmann cited she’s moving out of the Ford County village as the reason for her resignation.
(Hoopeston-jm) – Two people have been arrested and two others cited following a fight in Hoopeston Friday night. It happened in the 600 block of West Elm Street. Police arrested 34 year old Chase Miles of Hoopeston on an alcohol charge,and marijuane charges, 24 year old Darryl Stevens of Hoopeston was wanted on a Champaign County warrant and 30 year old Daytan Davis of Rantoul for possession of cannabis in a motor vehicle and 25 year old Kadi Baker of illegal transportation of alcohol.
(Springfield–jc) Have you seen a wild turkey in Paxton or Rantoul, maybe Iroquois County? The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters, landowners, conservation professionals, and other members of the public to help monitor wild turkey reproduction by reporting wild turkey sightings through the Illinois Wild Turkey Survey. The reports help the department track annual reproduction, poultry survival, and broad population trends across the state. The survey is open through August.
(USDA–dm)-A financial expert says you most likely have one or more types of personalities that influence your approaches on, and decisions about, money. USDA’s Rod Bain has the story
(Paxton–jc) The subject is Chickens. The City of Paxton License, Permit, Zoning and Insurance Committee will host a public meeting tonight at 6:30 .
The place for the meeting is the second floor of city hall. Council members will be discussing a proposed draft on keeping backyard poultry.
WPXN News notes…
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 Thursday, the opening ceremony begins at 9 am, 10 am is the antique tractor auction and a tractor parade at 1pm. On Friday its tractor games at10 am, tractor parade at 1pm, kiddie tractor pulls at 2:30 and ITPA sanctioned tractor pulls at 5pm. On Saturday, its tractor games at 10, kiddie tractor pulls at 2:30, ITPA tractor pulls at 5 and fireworks at dusk. On Sunday it's Penfields 150th anniversary celebration at 8am and tractor drive at 9 am.
St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Penfield will hold a pancake and sausage breakfast benefiting the crisis nursery and the St. Lawrence Maintenance Fund on Friday, July 10th and Saturday, July 11th from 6:30-10:30 am at the Parish Hall.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, July 10th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
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 Melvin Community Hall welcomes Erica Neal on Saturday, July 11th at 7pm. Doors open at 5:30pm.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L’Erable will hold their Parish Homecoming on Sunday, July 12th. Mass will be held at 11 with a chicken and pork chop dinner from noon to 5 and tractor pulls and kids games all afternoon.
