(Springfield-jm) — A record breaking amount of money was returned to people, businesses and nonprofits through the Illinois State Treasurer’s I-Cash program during fiscal year 2026. Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced Tuesday that his office returned $308 million to 567 thousand recipients in the past fiscal year, breaking the old record by $4 million.

 

(The Center Square) – Gas prices are back on the rise, according to AAA. The national average for regular unleaded hit $4 per gallon on Monday and was $4.02 on Tuesday. The Illinois average on Tuesday was $4.17, up from $4.15 the day before, $4.06 one week ago and $3.42 a year ago.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – In light of 103rd District State Representative Carol Ammons, Democrat from Urbana,  being charged with orchestrating an alleged scheme to receive cash kickbacks from illegal payments from her own campaign account and from local nonprofits for which she helped secure state grant funding,  House Minority Leader Tony McCombie says it is another time of disgraceful government…

 

89th District and Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Republican from Savannah    (Mc-’Comb-bee)

 

(Thomasboro-jm) – Two people were taken to the hospital following a crash in Thomasboro Monday. It happened on Route 45 at Flatville Road. Illinois State Police say a westbound car on Flatville Road disobeyed a stop sign and collided with a northbound vehicle. The driver of the westbound car was ticketed.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Park district pool is back open after a chemical mixture caused the facility to close on Monday afternoon. In updating our story, Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton says a wide variety of community members helped keep everyone safe…

   

Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Ford County Budget committee is set to look at the 20-27 fiscal year spending when they meet on Friday in Paxton. The meeting comes to order at 9 on Friday at the courthouse in Paxton .

 

(Paxton–jc)  Paxton city leaders have been busy with budgets and the appropriations ordinance this month. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the council approved the numbers to go forward with the annual budget…

   

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Chicago–jc)  – As over 86 billion dollars  has begun making its way back to small businesses impacted by tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is still demanding refund checks for Illinois families.  Sara Albrecht, chairman and C-E-O of the Liberty Justice Center, told The Center Square about the status of refunds headed back to businesses who paid tariffs imposed by Trump. The Liberty Justice Center sued the federal government alongside small businesses, arguing Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs were illegally imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The group won their lawsuit in February.

 

(Washington–jc)  –Illinois U.S. Representative. Darin LaHood, Republican from Peoria,  is urging his colleagues in the Senate to support legislation he says will allow health care workers to better support individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The measure provides for grants to address the need for timely diagnosis and effective care, especially in rural and underserved communities. The 16th District Congressman has bi-lateral support.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Federal funding worth approximately $30 million is heading Illinois’ way in an effort to make advancements in quantum technology. The U–S Economic Development Administration said the state has secured the EDA grant for The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub. It aims to advance quantum technologies by growing the domestic base of quantum components manufacturers and strengthening domestic supply chains.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has announced the launch of a statewide Blue Envelope program. The voluntary initiative allows drivers, passengers or vehicle owners to keep their driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance inside a distinctive blue envelope, serving as a visual cue that the individual may be neurodivergent or have autism spectrum disorder. Before House Bill 4472 cleared the chamber unanimously in April, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, said the Secretary of State’s office believe it could absorb the cost of the program within its existing budget.

 

(Undated-jm) – Disposable dinnerware labeled “compostable” may not be as environmentally friendly as consumers think. That is, according to researchers and environmental advocates. Judith Ruiz Branch reports…

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) – A new fun business is coming to Mahomet. It’s in the Prairieview Commons Commercial subdivision where a new hotel is being built. The 17,000 square foot building will house a bowling alley, arcade, a restaurant and full service bar. There’s no firm timeline for the project.

(Paxton–jc)  Gibson City leaders continue to look at numbers of shoppers, to visitors in their city. It is an important tool for looking at the present and future of downtown and more. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says their non-profit has been given a look to help the city of Paxton…

 

Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper

 

(Urbana–jc) 52nd District  State Senator Paul Faraci, democrat from Champaign,  announced the Illinois Workforce Pell, a new program expanding on the federal Pell Grant by allowing eligible students to use grant funding for short-term workforce training programs aligned with in-demand occupations, is now accepting applications. By extending Pell eligibility to shorter-term programs, Workforce Pell broadens access to a more affordable path to a recognized credential, and  in-demand jobs across the state.

 

(Washington–jc)  What does the soybean crop look like across the area, state and nation. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the information…

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois State Police say grant funding helped the department recover 342 stolen or hijacked vehicles and make 28 related arrests from April through June of this year. ISP was awarded $637,500 in July 2025 from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. The grant followed previous awards of $10 million grant in the first fiscal year and another $677,000 in June 2024. ISP also seized ten firearms as a result of stolen or hijacked vehicle recovery.

 

(The Center Square) -- State diversity leaders recently reported a large increase in the number of Illinois businesses that get better access to state contracts -- those that are owned by racial minorities, women or people with disabilities -- thanks to a partial solution to a computer problem that has been ongoing for two years.

But that pool of certified businesses is still much smaller than it was before the problem. It began in July 2024, when the state Commission on Equity and Inclusion switched to a new computer system that was supposed to streamline its efforts but instead led to a steep decrease in the number of businesses because it is incompatible with the systems of other government agencies. By May of this year, the number of businesses had dropped to about 2,700, or half of its peak of about 5,400

 

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.