(Springfield-jm) – A report from Illinois’ Legislative Inspector General says former State Representative Harry Benton violated state law by engaging in acts of sexual harassment. The findings are detailed in a summary report dated June 30th and sent to House Speaker Emanual “Chris” Welch. The investigation into allegations against Benton began after the Legislative Inspector General’s Office received a complaint on March 4th. The report found two allegations of sexual harassment were supported by the investigation. Benton resigned in early July. The report dismissed several other allegations as unfounded.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday to require private insurance companies to cover seizure detection devices. There are currently multiple FDA approved devices to alert people to oncoming or ongoing seizures. Sponsors say these tools can cost anywhere from $250 and $2000. The law requires insurance companies to cover the medically necessary devices with a maximum cost sharing amount of $50 per year.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA's latest Agricultural Prices Report shows the June breakdown for what ag producers received price-wise for their commodities, and the specific changes for crop and livestock growers. Rod Bain reports…

   

(Paxton-jm) – A Paxton ice cream establishment has changed names. The Paxton Dairy Queen has been rebranded to Dairy Dream. The owners sold the naming rights back to Dairy Queen after corporate wanted a significant investment to upgrade the business along Route 45. Last week, the Cissna Park Dairy Queen also announced they will be rebranding later this month.

 

(Hoopeston-jm) – Two people have been arrested after allegedly stealing 60 pairs of shoes from a Hoopeston non profit meant to help kids heading back to school. 45 year old Kathy Stancle and 49 year old Jeff Chandler have been arrested on theft charges. Hoopeston Police say the pair allegedly stole the shoes from the Hoopeston Multi-Agency Service Center. 40 of the 60 pairs of shoes were recovered.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Paxton leaders are helping with a new gas station, and fast food restaurant project in the city. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says a redevelopment agreement is in place for the project along route 9 west in Paxton…

   

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(SPringfield–jc)  –Illinoisans who have defaulted on their student loan repayments will soon see increased opportunities for employment and retention at state agencies, thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Paul Faraci.  

Under previous Illinois law, any state agency employee whose student loans were in default for a period of six or more months, and in an amount of $600 or more, was required to make a satisfactory loan repayment arrangement with the loan’s cosigner or guarantor. If the employee failed to establish a satisfactory repayment arrangement prior to their sixth month of employment, the agency was required to terminate the individual’s employment.

 

(The Center Square) – The closure of seven Save A Lot grocery stores on Chicago's South and West sides has renewed debate over whether government subsidies can effectively address food access in underserved neighborhoods, with one free-market policy expert arguing the shutdowns highlight the limits of public intervention.The stores, operated by Yellow Banana, closed after Save A Lot ended its operating agreement with the company, citing financial challenges that included a sharp decline in SNAP purchases. Chicago had invested $13.5 million to renovate six of the seven locations as part of an effort to expand grocery access in neighborhoods often described as food deserts.

 

(The Center Square) – The U.S. House approved legislation aimed at preventing credit card companies from using merchant category codes to identify firearm retailers, a measure supporters say protects the privacy of lawful gun owners.

HR 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, would prohibit payment card networks from requiring merchant category codes that distinguish firearm retailers from general merchandise or sporting goods stores. The Department of Justice would enforce the law. U.S. Representative Mary Miller, Republican from Illinois, praised the legislation, saying it would prevent financial institutions from tracking lawful firearm purchases and protect Americans' Second Amendment rights and financial privacy. John Boch, executive director of Guns Save Life, said he supports the bill but doubts it will ever become law.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law will require schools to include railroad safety information in student handbooks. Sponsors say people have been concerned about schools near railroads and ensuring students know the protocols in place to keep them safe. Schools could opt out of the requirement if their school boards find railroad safety is covered in their curriculum.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law bans private schools from penalizing students or staff with religious hairstyles. The law expands the Jett Hawkins Act that prohibits public and private schools from banning hairstyles associated with race, ethnicity or hair texture.

 

(Buckley–jc)  As part of fundraising efforts for Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley is a golf cart giveaway. Christ Lutheran High School Auction Spokesperson Larry Abbe says  the 2026 golf cart is ready for use…

 

 

Christ Lutheran High School Auction Spokesperson Larry Abbe. The auction and dinner is set for Saturday August 22nd at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin

 

(Chicago-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has announced he’s throwing his name into the ring to be Chicago’s next mayor. Giannoulias joins 12 other people vying for the position including state comptroller Susana Mendoza. 

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Park district pool remains open for a short time. Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton says the pool is for kids, the swim team and adults…

 

 

Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Electric utility Ameren, which covers southern and central Illinois, wants to raise prices for ratepayers.  The company has made a new claim to the Citizens Utility Board to increase rates for what the company calls a reconciliation filing, totalling $65.3 million.CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz challenged the company over what she said was wasteful spending, with a burden falling onto customers.

 

(The Center Square) – Signed into law in the spring, a program known as Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger, or FRESH, is set to send out one-time payments of $400 to Illinoisans who were removed from the federal SNAP program.The $70 million taxpayer-funded program is part of the state’s FY27 budget, and state officials said about 100,000 residents will receive the payout, which began distribution Saturday. The program will only distribute to households who lost SNAP benefits between May and August, when new federal work and eligibility requirements took effect.

 

WPXN News notes…

The St. Joseph Community Festival will take place Thursday, August 6th through Saturday, August 8th.

 

The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, August 7th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.

 

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.

 

The 16th annual Loda Truck and Tractor Pulls will take place on Saturday, August 8th with local pulls starting at 11 am with IPA pulls starting at 5pm.