(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker has signed a new bill into law that will put heavier penalties on people who don’t follow Scott’s Law and cause a death in the process. The law was named after a crash more than 25 years ago that killed firefighter Scott Gillen when he was hit by a vehicle passing the scene of an accident. Previously drivers who failed to move over or slow down for emergency vehicles and caused injuries or death of another person were charged with a class 4 felony and had their license suspended. Now under the harsher penalties, it will be revoked.
(Springfield-jm) – A bill awaiting Governor J–B Pritzker's signature could improve the state’s digital drivers license law. The plan could align technology and requirements related to mobile IDs and ensure consistency as the digital driver’s licenses are more widely used. It also bans law enforcement from physically taking someone’s phone to verify their mobile ID.
(Urbana-jm) – State Representative Carol Ammons made her first appearance in federal court last week. She pleaded not guilty to several charges including wire fraud and obstruction of justice. Capitol News Illinois reports Ammons was indicted two weeks ago. She allegedly organized a scheme that used campaign funds and state grants to financially benefit her and her daughter. Her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, is also facing obstruction of justice charges. He pleaded not guilty. Their supporters say they are being targeted by the Justice Department for supporting reparations to descendants of enslaved African Americans. Carol Ammons is asking for patience as the process moves forward…
State Representative Carol Ammons. Representative Ammons has been removed from the House Democratic Caucus and her committees. The House has also opened an investigation into the allegations. The federal trial is scheduled for September 22nd.
(Ford county-jm) – Emergency services across Ford County were busy Saturday. Gibson City firefighters were called to a vehicle fully involved at the GCMS High School track. Paxton firefighters were called to two separate accidents on I-57. Roberts and Melvin firefighters were called to a brush fire.
(Buckley-jm) - Northbound traffic on I-57 had to be detoured Friday afternoon after a semi jackknifed in the construction zone north of Buckley. The semi trailering a mobile home jackknifed about a mile north of Buckley. Traffic had to be rerouted off the interstate for a couple of hours.
(Paxton–dm)-With all of the heat we’ve had lately, you might want to give your outdoor plants a drink of water. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen has some tips on watering your plants.
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings at 730 on Scott’s Tips for Success.
CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Police Department is seeking assistance from residents in investigating a shooting incident that occurred in the early morning hours of July 17, 2026, injuring a Champaign man. Officers were dispatched to an area hospital after a 20-year-old male victim arrived in the Emergency Department with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg. Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-351-4545.
(USDA–dm)-A similar trend as recent USDA beef production and price forecasts continues in the July outlook. USDA’s Rod Bain has the story.
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Secretary of State is pushing back against claims from conservatives that his department has issued drivers licenses to non-citizens using false documents. In a video this week, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias addressed claims made by U.S. Reps. Mary Miller, R-Ill. And Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, along with former state Rep. Jeanne Ives. The group's claims centered on the 2025 death of 20-year-old Katie Abraham and another young woman from a crash with a drunken motorist in Urbana – a Guatemalan man who is alleged to have false documentation and lacked legal status in the country.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois families could gain access to a new source of educational funding under a federal scholarship tax credit program set to begin January 1, 2027 but only if Governor J–B Pritzker chooses to enroll the state. The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program allows individual taxpayers to receive a dollar for dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 annually for donations made to qualified Scholarship Granting Organizations. Those organizations then award scholarships that families can use for a variety of K-12 educational expenses including tuition, tutoring, special education services, books, technology and more. The state has until the program takes effect in January to opt in.
(Springfield-jm) – A bill on Governor J-B Pritzker’s desk could strengthen the state’s civil rights protections amid federal rollbacks. The plan codifies the use of disparate impact standards within the Illinois Human Rights Act. Sponsors say the change will create stronger protections than the federal minimum by safeguarding people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, financial credit and public housing.
(Springfield-jm) – The Chicago Tribune Friday reported that House Speaker Chris Welch's office slow-walked harassment allegations against former Rep. Harry Benton after a young staffer came forward in 2023 and the speaker failed to reprimand Benton. In response to the report, House Republicans say the pattern is becoming impossible to ignore: when misconduct emerges, Speaker Welch's first instinct appears to be protecting his caucus rather than providing transparency to the public. In April of this year, Speaker Welch said at a press conference, "We also have to talk about victims. We're gonna respect victims." House Republicans say "the Tribune's reporting proves that the Speaker's office failed to live up to those words when allegations were first reported in 2023. Speaker Welch cannot claim to stand with victims today while his office betrayed the trust of a victim who came forward in 2023." House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said the article raises serious questions about House Leadership…
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie. The Tribune also reported that Speaker Welch himself responded to social media posts by the former Benton staffer in ways that she told the Tribune made her feel "uncomfortable." The staffer had previously interned in the Speaker's office.
(Springfield-jm) – A plan awaiting final approval from Governor J-B Pritzker could help lower drug prices by regulating 340B contracts. The 340B drug pricing program was created to improve access to care at safety net hospitals and clinics. It helps low income and uninsured patients get critical medications, but state hospital leaders believe Big Pharma has limited access to medications as 340Bs can only sign one pharmaceutical contract. The bill would stop a company from setting restrictions on a contract unless the limit is required by state or federal law.
(Undated-jm) – Organizers pushing for a new, independent state within Illinois said they are prepared to play the long game to conquer the urban-rural divide. Judith Ruiz Branch reports..
(Vermilion County-jm) – The Vermilion County Public Health Department has confirmed a batch of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile virus. The health department says the batch was collected in northern rural Danville. Ford County announced last week that a batch in Melvin tested positive for west nile virus.
(OSF–dm)-Summer heat can impact how well your medications work. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.
When in doubt about if your medication is safe to take, talk to your primary care provider or a pharmacist
(Gilman–dm)-The Iroquois West School Board will hold their regular Monthly meeting tonight at 7pm. Items on the agenda include facilities request for Iroquois WestYouth Football League to use the High School football field for 4 Saturdays, and a facility request from I57 Basketball Development on dates to be determined. Also on the agenda they will award bids for fuel, approve the employee handbook and the approval of several board policies. The School board meeting will be held in the High School Board Room in Gilman.
WPXN News notes…
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gilman on Thursday, July 23rd from 12-6 pm.
The University of Wisconsin Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will hold an organic seed to spirit field day at The Cadillac in Paxton on Friday, July 24th. More information is available by emailing Erin Silva at emsilva at wisc dot edu.
The village of Rantoul will hold their final Freedom Friday of the season on Friday, July 24th in downtown Rantoul with 90s Daughter performing.
The Rankin Lions Club will hold a chicken and rib BBQ dinner to raise funds for next year’s Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 24th from 4-7:30. Cost is $18 and includes your choice of chicken or ribs, baked beans, coleslaw and dinner role
The Large Car Takeover on the Tarmac will take place Friday, July 24th through Sunday, July 26th at the Rantoul National Aviation Center.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich supper on Friday, July 24th from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, July 25th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.
