(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue have announced disaster relief for people and businesses who have been affected by severe weather over the past few months. The relief would be available for individuals in 15 counties including Champaign, Ford and Vermilion Counties. Any taxpayer seeking a waiver of penalties and interest for taxes is urged to send a brief written explanation to the Illinois Department of Revenue regarding why they cannot file timely or pay.
(Paxton–dm)-The Paxton Chamber of Commerce is proud to support Paxton families affected by the recent flooding. Paxton Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack has the information.
Paxton Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack. If you would like to make a donation, you can go Dawn Stack Facebook page or info@paxtonchamber.com
The hours will be from 8am to 3pm both today and Saturday.
(Paxton–jc) E-R-S officials continue to canvas properties in the city of Paxton to access and collect damage amounts to properties in the city due to the floods that occurred this month in the city. Paxton Mayor bill Ingold says gathering the information is very helpful…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Springfield–dm)-Last week at the opening of the Illinois State Fair, Gov. JB Pritzker was asked if the Family Farm Preservation Act would get passed in the fall veto session. The chief executive did not commit to the November/December session but said the act is on his agenda of things to get done. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting (R-Emington) says the governor also pledged his support for the Act during the Illinois Agriculture Legislative Roundtable in McLean County.
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting R-Emington
(Illinois–dm)-A recent study has found Illinois is not among the most expensive places in the country when comparing health care costs to income. Researchers at MediFind ranked Illinois 31st among 50 states in an analysis measuring per-capita expenditure on health care services and prescription drugs against median income.
West Virginia had the highest percentage with health care expenditures taking 16.14% of income. Utah was the least expensive at 6.81%. Illinois’ number was 11.03%.
(Springfield-jm) — The general election is 74 days away and this past Wednesday Democrats gathered in Springfield for celebrations centered around Governor’s Day at the state fair. Capitol News Illinois reports thousands attended a morning brunch with elected officials before heading to the fairgrounds for a rally. Even though there are hundreds of Republicans on the ballot in Illinois, Democrats mostly focused on a common opponent: President Donald Trump. Party leaders shared how they fought back against the Trump Administration and encouraged supporters to work together to elect Democrats up and down the ticket. Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s working hard to make sure people across the state hear their message…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Republicans held their day yesterday. In our next news block, we will hear from the Republican party.
(Sprignfield–jc) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in July, down -0.2 percentage point from June, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The revised June unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls increased by 11,700 to 6,176,400, a record high.
The industry sector with the largest gain in monthly payroll jobs was private education and health services, with an increase of 6,200.
(The Center Square) – Chicago will not be welcoming the Democratic National Convention in 2028 as it did in 2024. DNC Chairman Ken Martin released a statement on Thursday saying that Boston, Denver and Philadelphia are the three cities still in contention. Along with Chicago, Atlanta was eliminated from consideration. Chicago has held the DNC six times.
(Washington–dm)-USDA's August outlook for meat production reflects various month over month changes in the species categories. Rod Bain has the story.
(Paxton-jm) – Damage assessments continue today in Paxton. Crews went around the city assessing damage and talking to residents. Those surveys will continue today. If you have not received an assessment or taken the assessment with the QR code, you are asked to reach out to the Paxton Emergency Response Services through their facebook page or by calling the director Andrew Turner at 217-781-3128.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Park District is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday for the local pool. It’s called the Lucky Ducky event. It is set for Saturday at the park district facilities on Fall Street from noon to 3pm. Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton says its all about connecting with the community and school district and helping to keep the pool as a good summer option next year…
Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton
(Champaign–dm)-In order to install new utilities, pavement, and sidewalks associated with Phase 2 of the Downtown Plaza Project, all lanes of Washington Street will be closed to traffic between Walnut Street and Hickory Street. Users of the City parking lot located at the intersection of Walnut and Washington Streets are encouraged to enter and exit from Walnut Street. Northbound traffic on Fremont Street will be accommodated. In coordination with the closure, temporary traffic signals will be activated at the intersection of Walnut Street and Columbia Avenue. Signal activation is expected to occur on Friday, August 21, 2026. The Washington Street road closure is set to begin on Monday, August 24, 2026. Washington Street is expected to remain closed through the end of November 2026.
(Sprngnfield–jc) The Illinois Department of Transportation is accepting applications for grants to provide public transportation providers and eligible nonprofit organizations with paratransit vehicles. Through its Consolidated Vehicle Procurement program, IDOT purchases accessible paratransit vehicles on behalf of eligible recipients using various federal funding sources. The deadline to apply is September 21st.
(Cissna Park–dm)-The Building is the same, but the name has changed. The Thomas Grill and Creamery has taken the place of the Cissna Park D.Q. Thomas Grill and Creamery co-owner Rhonda Thomas, gives us an update on the menu.
Thomas Grill and Creamery co-owner Rhonda Thomas. Restaurant hours are Monday-Friday 10am-8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am-8pm
(Paxton–jc) The Red Cross was in Paxton on Thursday helping residents with some relief packages due to the flooding over the past week. Today the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “together for our Community” event at the Paxton Coin Laundry from 8am to 3pm today and 8am to 3pm on Saturday. The local chamber will be handing out supplies, gift cards and other help.
(Springfield-jm) - Republicans gathered at the Illinois State Fair Thursday for GOP Day. Capitol News Illinois reports its an opportunity for party leaders and candidates to talk with supporters as they head into campaign season. Speakers pushed the messages of working together to beat Democrats and make things more affordable. But unlike previous years, Republicans avoided talking about President Donald Trump. As Democrats continue to fight against Trump, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey says the president doesn’t have anything to do with the problems Illinois is facing…
Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey. Democrats hold all the statewide offices, but Republicans say they believe that people are ready for a change in November.
WPXN News notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, August 22nd from noon-2pm. Cost is $15.
The Rantoul-Paxton VFW will host live music with West End Boogie on Saturday, August 22nd from 6-9 pm.
The 2026 Watseka Family Fest will take place on Friday, August 28th and Saturday, August 29th. Performing Friday night is Kentucky Headhunters with Confederate Railroad. Performing Saturday night is Rodney Atkins with Montgomery Gentry.
The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday, August 29th from 9-2.
The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will hold a special food distribution sponsored by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Gifford on Saturday, August 29th from 9-10:30 am.
Middlefork Forest Preserve in Penfield will host their 3rd annual Cardboard Boat regatta on Saturday, September 5th registration and inspections begin at 2:30 pm with races beginning at 3:30 pm.
