(Springfield-jm) – The person responsible for investigating misconduct of Illinois lawmakers will resign at the end of the month following criticism of his work. Democrats and Republicans are calling for a stronger Legislative Inspector General and ethics reforms to address issues at the State Capitol. Michael McCuskey is leaving the legislative watchdog post following scandals in the Illinois House including concerns over investigations he conducted.
(Paxton-jm) – The City of Paxton is adding to their disaster response capabilities. The city approved a mutual aid agreement between Paxton ERS and Iroquois County EMA at their meeting this week. The agreement establishes a framework that allows either agency to request and provide personnel, equipment, facilities and more during an emergency.
(Washington–jc) The area corn crop is headed into its final phases before harvest begins. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the corn crop around the area, state and nation…
U S D AMeteorologist Brad Rippey
(Potomac-jm) — The village of Potomac will be celebrating a milestone this weekend. Saturday, the village will celebrate their sesquicentennial at Millie Curtis Park. Activities for the day include a 5k race at 8 and a parade at 11:30. Other activities include inflatables, face painting, donut eating contest, bingo, bags tournament, live music and food trucks.
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton workers have been very busy since the flooding in the city that happened last month. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about the continued clean up and the next steps in gathering information for potential relief…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Urbana–jc) –The University of Illinois System’s fall enrollment has topped 102,000 for the first time, extending its string of record fall enrollments, with growth driven largely by new in-state undergraduates. Undergraduate enrollment rose 3-point-four percent overall, with Illinois residents up just over 4 percent across the system’s universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. Including this fall’s total enrollment growth of just over one percent and a new record of 102,267 students, system enrollment has grown 25 point five percent over the past decade.
(Rantoul–jc) The Village of Rantoul has a new restaurant option. It is called Lanees Grill. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says its another mom and pop operation with a couple that moved to Rantoul from Michigan…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Rantoul–jc) – The annual Food Drive is back at Shields Auto Center in Rantoul. Officials with the local car dealership will help support the Rantoul based Community Service Center. Shields Auto Center is participating with the Ford Global Food Drive. Last year the Rantoul area 409 pounds of food and the goal this year is to beat that amount. The effort runs now through September 30th.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois gets low marks on two new reports about worker freedom.
The Commonwealth Foundation gave Illinois an F in its evaluation of public sector labor laws. The group’s latest report cited the state’s policies allowing card checks, a qualified right to strike and payroll deductions, as well as incorporating a fundamental right to organize in the state's constitution and potentially removing any restrictions of collective bargaining.The report gave neighboring Indiana an A-Plus. Iowa and Wisconsin got As.
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Restoration Committee Queen of Hearts drawing had a jackpot of 5 thousand 434 dollars last night. The card revealed the 4 os spades. Tracy Ford won 25 dollars. The next drawing is next Wednesday. All money raised goes to renovation projects in Gibson City.
(Gibson City-jm) — Carbon sequestration could be back on the table in the western part of Ford County. One Earth Energy is seeking regulatory approval for their carbon capture and storage project. They are proposing to build a 5 point 4 mile, 8 inch diameter pipeline to transport liquefied carbon dioxide from their Gibson City plant to a facility outside of Saybrook.
(Rankin–jc) The Rankin Community Connections group is hosting a fundraiser with music, raffles, food and fun on Saturday in the Northern Vermilion County town. Rankin Community Connections is hosting “Music on Main” Saturday starting with food at 4-30pm. Matt Wynn, an upcoming country music act will perform along with In-Bloom and Lexi Tieffel. Rankin Community Connections spokesperson John Duncan talks about what the group does for the village of Rankin…
Rankin Community Connections Spokesperson John Duncan. The public is invited to attend the event and money raised goes to projects in Rankin.
(Mahomet-jm) – Teachers in the Mahomet Seymour School District are beginning the steps that could lead to a strike. They have been working since June without a contract. The district offered the union their last best final offer but union leaders say the main sticking point is teacher pay, which they say the district can afford without raising taxes. The district's proposal and the union's proposal are about $560 thousand apart.
(Rantoul–jc) This week, METRO trained in Rantoul with a simulated hostage situation. This joint training brought together officers from the Rantoul Police Department, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, Urbana Police Department, Mahomet Police Department, University of Illinois Police Department and Parkland Police Department. Working and training together helps ensure our agencies are prepared to respond effectively when it matters most. Rantoul Police Department officials say they appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our residents while this training took place.
(Paxton–jc) The Never Forget Group in Paxton is hosting an event to honor those who gave their lives in the 9-11 bombing and events of September 11th 2001. Never Forget Group Spokesperson Kim Evans says the public is invited to the Paxton Community Flag on Sunday at 1pm…
Never Forget Group Spokesperson Kim Evans. The event is again on Sunday at 1pm at the community flag at Paxton Buckley Loda High School
(California–jc) – Genesis has been named the Official Luxury Vehicle of the Big Ten Conference, its first such partnership in college athletics. While the partnership begins with football, it will expand to additional Big Ten sports throughout the year, including men’s and women’s basketball, as well as volleyball, baseball, softball, ice hockey, and wrestling. The brand’s partnership with the Big Ten Conference is part of Genesis’ broader strategy to connect with college alumni and passionate fans deeply engaged with their favorite teams
(Champaign–jc) The City of Champaign is proud to celebrate and sponsor Welcoming Week 2026, taking place today through September 19th. Community members are invited to participate in events that celebrate inclusion, culture, and community connection. With activities taking place throughout Champaign-Urbana, Welcoming Week is an opportunity to come together and recognize the many cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that make our community a welcoming place for all. The first event is 5-30 this afternoon in downtown Champaign and the second event is a concert in the downtown plaza on Friday September 18th
(Buckley–jc) Mums are the words today at one local Christian School. The St John’s Buckley P-T-L is hosting their annual mums fundraiser starting at 11 this morning. St Johns P-T-L President Kelcey Vaughn says all money raised goes to help support Chrisitan education at the school…
St Johns School Buckley P-T-L President Kelcey Vaughn
WPXN News notes…
The 2026 Team Hope Walk for Huntington's Disease will take place on Saturday, September 12th at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. Check in begins at 730 am with the walk beginning at 8.
The final Shop in the Park in downtown Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, September 12th from 9-1.
The Rantoul Public Library will host a Welcome to Rantoul event on Saturday, September 12th at 10 am. Activities include: food, live music and games.
Middlefork Forest Preserve will hold their Dark Skies Series: Cosmic Surfing and Guided Stargazing on Saturday, September 12th from 6-10pm.
The Rankin Community Connections will host their Music on Main on Saturday, September 12th at 6pm. Matt Wynn will be performing.
The Illinois and Indiana Firefighters Association will hold their 25th anniversary 9-11 Memorial Ride on Sunday, September 13th. The ride will depart from the Village Mall in Danville at 10 am with lunch at the Paxton Fire Department before ending the ride at The Stor Restaurant and Bar in Catlin.
