(Springfield-jm) – The first investigative committee hearing against State Representative Carol Ammons of Urbana will convene today. The committee was called for by House Republicans, after Ammons was federally indicted on wire fraud charges. The committee is made up of 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans. They will hold hearings to determine if there was any unethical behavior.
(Paxton–jc) The next step in the downtown Paxton Streetscape program is now funded. A check presentation by local officials and Illinois 2nd District Congresswoman Robin Kelly took place at 11am yesterday. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the vision for the city continues…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. 2nd District Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly was also in attendance stating that her family was the owner of a mom and pop business and that the downtown areas of local cities are the heart of those cities…
2nd district Illinois Congresswoman Democrat Robin Kelly. Kelly presented Mayor Bill Ingold with an 850 thousand dollar project check
(Champaign County-jm) — The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office released results from two recent speed enforcement campaigns during July. The enforcement details took place on July 22nd and 24th. During the two day campaign, deputies issued 24 speeding tickets, 6 traffic warnings and 4 tickets for other traffic offenses. The Sheriff’s Office says speed enforcement campaigns will continue in August.
(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Board will be looking to fill a vacancy when they meet next week. The county board is expected to approve the appointment of Neil Rhoades to the vacant District 3 seat.
(Loda–jc) The 16th annual Loda Truck and Tractor Pull is set for a full day on Saturday in the village of Loda. Loda Truck and Tractor Pull Spokesperson Dalton Weber says with the IPA, pullers come from a wide area…
Loda truck and Tractor Pull Spokesperson Dalton Weber. The event opens at 8 on Saturday morning.
(Champaign–jc) – The City of Champaign is proud to announce that Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award. This is a prestigious honor recognizing her commitment to public service, collaborative leadership, and dedication to improving the quality of life for Champaign residents.The award was announced during the annual Edgar Fellows dinner in Champaign this week.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois, like many other states, is battling a first responder recruitment and retention crisis where it is increasingly becoming difficult to attract the necessary number of firefighters, police officers, and EMTs to careers in emergency services. 104th District State Representative Brandon Schweizer says this also affects volunteer forces. Schweitzer says that is why he sponsored a measure to protect emergency personnel…
104th District State Representative Brandon Schweitzer, Republican from Danville
(Springfield-jm) – A new state law will require high schools to include CPR training on female manikans. The American Heart Association says women are 27 percent less likely than a man to receive bystander CPR because of hesitation or misconceptions. The requirement goes into effect during the 2029-2030 school year.
(Buckley-jm) – Construction on a solar farm and battery storage facility near Buckley could begin as early as this fall. Allium Renewable Energy of Chicago is seeking a building permit from Iroquois County to construct a 50 megawatt solar farm and 10 megawatt battery storage facility. It’s expected to bring around 100 construction jobs and 5 permanent jobs.
(Rantoul–jc) Combe Labs in Rantoul held a beam signing for its 30 million dollar expansion of facilities in Rantoul. The move by Combes keeps around100 jobs in the area and adds around twenty more. Combe Labs Owner Keetch Combe says it's the effort of employees, partners and the village that keep the company moving into the future…
Combe Lab of Rantoul Owner Keetch Combe. Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower says the village continues to grow jobs with a bright future…
Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower. Construction on the new area has started.The company is responsible for such brands as Clearasil, Vagisil and Just for Men
(Champaign-jm) – The theme for the 18th running of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend has been revealed. The theme is “Every Mile Tells a Story”. The race weekend will take place April 22-24th. Registration for the race weekend is now open.
(Springfield–jc) A new study says Illinois has 356,635 millionaire households. Shogo AI ranked 48 states based on both the percentage and total number of millionaire households. Illinois was 13th with 7.13% in seven figures.
New Jersey led the nation with 9.76% of households classified as millionaires. Maryland was next, followed by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Kentucky ranked 45th out of 48, with 4.69% of the population classified as millionaires. Federal Reserve data shows millions of Americans have crossed the $1 million threshold in recent years, largely through property appreciation and investment portfolios.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Mainstreet First Friday Concert series continues this Friday with the concessions opening at 6pm and the Paxton Resurrection Brass Band at 6-30pm. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says popular local band “Baick Pages” takes the stage at 7 onFriday night…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper
The Center Square) – The Liberty Justice Center has sent letters to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and attorneys general in three other states, warning that school districts’ decisions to withhold information from parents regarding students' purported gender transitions violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The center said parents have a right under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to direct the education of their children.
(Bloomington-jm) – Travelers will need to allow extra time if you’re planning to fly out of Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. The airport is renovating its short term parking lot. The existing parking lots pavement is being ripped out and replaced. The project is expected to be completed by November. The airport says you can still park in the long term lot and use the free shuttles to get to the terminal.
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.
