(Springfield-jm) – A federal judge ruled that an Illinois law allowing some undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates to attend the state’s public colleges and universities is unconstitutional. The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit brought by the U-S Department of Justice’s Civil Division. The lawsuit named Governor Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and several state colleges and universities. It’s unknown if the state will appeal the decision.
(Springfield-jm) – A new bill is aiming to give Illinois school staff more training on service animals. State Senator Doris Turner is sponsoring the legislation after a high school student in her district with a service dog has had issues at school with students attempting to harm the dog.
(Paxton–jm) – A 28 year old Panama Illinois man has been arrested on child sex crimes after engaging in a sting operation in Paxton. Dustin Adams was arrested for solicitation to meet a minor, indecent solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child. Police say Adams was allegedly communicating with someone he believed to be a 15 year old. He was arrested at his home in Panama, Illinois.
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton leaders have approved repairs at the cities sewer plant. PaxtonMayor Bill Ingold says the plant is over 70 years old and the maintenance was needed…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Savoy-jm) – United Airlines service between Willard Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport is once again on hold. Back in May, it was announced the service was going to start in October, a delay from the original June 1st planned start. The airport announced Friday they were informed by United Airlines that due to the FAA’s continued flight schedule cap at Chicago O’Hare, the airline will not launch its planned service in October.
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Hoopeston woman is facing multiple felony charges. Kylie Baker was arrested on charges of unlawful use of a credit card and financial exploitation of an elderly person. Hoopeston Police say they took a report from an 89 year old man who told them his credit card had been used on multiple occasions. Baker was arrested following an investigation.
(Crescent City–jc) The 20-26 Champaign County Fair started on Saturday at the fairgrounds in Urbana along Coler (Koh-ler) Avenue. The Ford County Fair and Iroquois County Fairs are complete for the summer. Iroquois County Fair Board Spokesperson Chuck Gocken says more improvements are coming to the fairgrounds near Crescent City next week…
Iroquois County Fair Board Spokesperson Chuck Gocken
(Illinois–dm)-According to data released on Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security for the year ending on June 30, 2026, the unemployment rate increased in 78 Illinois counties, decreased in 13 and was unchanged in 11. Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the state’s twelve metro areas included government in ten areas, and private education and health services in eight areas.
(Urbana–jc) The 20-26 Miss Champaign County Fair Queen Pageant is tonight at the fairgrounds on Colar Avenue in Urbana. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…
(Illinois–dm)-The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois is 85 cents higher than it was a year ago. According to AAA, the average price on Friday was $4.26 per gallon, up from $4.15 one week ago and up from $3.41 on July 24, 2025. Every state bordering Illinois has an average price below $3.89. The gas tax in the Land of Lincoln is 48.3 cents per gallon.
(Springfield-jm) - Parents will soon get a bit of a financial break as the state begins its sales tax holiday for back to school shopping. Under the state’s fiscal year budget, the sales tax holiday will take place over a 10 day period beginning August 7th. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the tax holiday applies to eligible clothing and footwear priced at less than $125 per item. School supplies such as notebooks, pencils and other classroom essentials are not subject to a price cap.
(Springfield-jm) — Governor J-B Pritzker has signed a bill into law to require tracking of firefighter deaths. All fire departments must now report the cause and manner of death for firefighters to the State Fire Marshal’s office. This includes any deaths resulting from suicide and various types of cancers. Departments are also required to report deaths of firefighters who left their unit with a known cancer diagnosis and died within 12 months.
(Paxton–jc) – Summer 20-26 has seen more positives for businesses in Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says the momentum is upward for Paxton…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Joliet–jc) –A Joliet man has been arrested after the city’s police department asked Illinois State Police to investigate a sexual abuse allegation.
Kurt Johnson, 72, turned himself in last week after the DuPage County state’s attorney approved an arrest warrant. Johnson is charged with 44 criminal counts, including predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and child sex abuse material. Anonymous tips of child sexual abuse materials can be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Cybertip line.
(South Holland–jc) – Fueled by an estimated $725,253 in state tax credits, a South Holland company is planning to expand its south suburban operation and also join the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago.
Ability Engineering Technology, Inc. is the second announced tenant of the IQMP FaQtory for quantum park suppliers. FaQtory is partially funded by the federal government through its Tech Hubs competition and partially funded by state quantum funds.
(Paxton–dm)-If you haven’t been to Paxton Hardware and Rental lately, you might be surprised at what you find. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen tells us about the changes.
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday mornings at 730 on Scott’s Tips for Success.
(Illinois–dm)-According to a study by the Midwest Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration in 2025 raised costs for the average Illinois household by $2,200. The report suggested that states could address the situation by enhancing unemployment benefits and clawing back tax incentives and tax cuts from businesses that lay off workers.
(Urbana–jc) The 2026 Champaign County Fair will take place July 25-August 1st. Today it's Kids day with the fair queen pageant at 7, on Tuesday it is Senior Citizens Day with $30 armbands and harness racing at 5.
WPXN will be broadcasting live on Tuesday over the Noon hour as part of our Summer Fun Tour 20 26
(Chicago–dm)-The Chicago Office of Inspector General has published an explainer report on city services provided to more than 46,000 migrants and asylum seekers between Aug. 31, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2024. The OIG review found that the city’s reported expenditure of more than $639 million in funds from city taxpayers and grants was accurate and transparent, with only $50,916 in transactions that should have been included but were omitted. Inspector General David Glockner said the city followed established procurement processes. Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed Glockner as IG in April of this year.
WPXN News notes…
The Illinois Soybean Association will hold their board public meeting on Wednesday, July 29th from 11-12 at the I-Hotel in Champaign.
A Golf Cart Fun Run Ride for a Cure Breakthrough T-1-D in Gibson City on Saturday, August 1st from 12-4. Cost is $30. RSVPs are required by calling or texting 217-781-4895.
The St. Joseph Community Festival will take place Thursday, August 6th through Saturday, August 8th.
Paxton Main Street will hold their final First Friday concert series of the season on Friday, August 7th from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. The Back Paiges will perform. Paxton’s Resurrection Brass Band will open at 6:30.
Gibson City Cars and Coffee will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 7-9 am at the Longview Bank parking lot.
Shop in the Park in downtown Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 9-1.
