(The Center Square) - The Chicago Fed Survey of Economic Conditions Activity Index decreased to -5 in September from +5 in August, suggesting economic growth was near trend. The CFSEC is a survey of organizations located in the Seventh District, which includes parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
(Emmington–jc) It’s Farm Safety week in the state of Illinois. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington says the farming industry sees over 500 fatalities nationwide each year and it has a work-related death rate seven times higher than the national average for workers…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington.
(Illinois–jc) A beatification Mass for Illinois native and former Catholic Archbishop Fulton Sheen is scheduled to take place today in St. Louis.
Sheen was born in 1895 in El Paso, Illinois, served as an altar boy in Peoria and studied at St. Viator College in Bourbonnais. He later became a bishop and hosted national radio and television programs. Pope Leo XIV, a fellow Illinois native, discussed Sheen during his general audience in Rome on Wednesday.
(The Center Square) - An embattled lawmaker who will appear on the ballot unopposed in November has a new challenger entering the state race as a grassroots write-in candidate. Champaign businessman Keith Smith launched a write-in campaign for state representative in the 103rd House District, running against Representative Carol Ammons. Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons were federally indicted in early July for wire fraud and witness tampering related to a kickback scheme the lawmaker is alleged to have conducted by directing state funds to nonprofits employing her daughter. Smith said he won’t be campaigning on those ongoing proceedings, citing the lawmaker’s presumed innocence. Smith told The Center Square that while he is a registered Democrat, his politics aren’t solely along partisan lines, and he’d bring with him a willingness to work across the aisle, especially on fiscal measures.
(Paxton–jc) In the second story of a series, WPXN news takes a look at a proposed solar farm on the city's north west side. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the company that would build the facility has already looked at motorist safety and environmental concerns…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. The property for the solar farm is being annexed into the city. Filing with the state is one of the next steps in the process. Once approved the solar farm will take 10 to 12 months to build. The city of Paxton will benefit from some local taxes on the solar farm property. WPXN News will have a third segment on this story on Thursday afternoon.
(Paxton–jc) Work on two downtown Paxton brick signs are in the construction process on the Pells Street bridge that goes into the downtown area of the city.
The work is being completed by Rick Adkins Masonry of Paxton and is part of the overall Streetscape project for the downtown. A similar sign was placed last year near the Paxton Casey’s store along South Market Street in the city
(Washington–jc) Temperatures in East Central Illinois are mid-season. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the start of fall and temperatures…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Chicago–jc) The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has expanded its permanent injunction against the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act to include federal credit unions. A statement from the Electronic Payments Coalition says the ruling leaves Illinois-chartered community banks and credit unions increasingly isolated, subjecting them to a state mandate that many of their federally chartered and out-of-state competitors do not face. The law banning swipe fees on the sales tax and tip portions of electronic payments is scheduled to take effect July First, next year.
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Restoration Association had its weekly queen of hearts drawing to raise funds to restore the historic Burwell Building in their downtown corridor. The Queen of Hearts jackpot rose to $5,683. Shelbie McClure had her ticket pulled from the tumbler. She was not able to join us for the card reveal, but she chose to see what was behind card #50. It revealed the 3 of Hearts.
(The Center Square) - As new work requirements for Medicaid enrollees take effect in roughly 100 days, elected officials are ramping up efforts to inform residents of what changes they may soon face, including potentially losing coverage. As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Illinois administered federal program will soon be required to impose new work requirements of 80 hours per month, alongside other changes potentially making less people eligible for the federally funded health insurance program. In a recent ranking of every state’s Medicaid program implementation, Illinois was ranked 31st in the nation, mostly due to its expanded spending, previous lack of work requirements and expansion of the program from what Congress originally created. The state spent about $43.17 billion during the 2026 fiscal year that ended July 31st. Spending was up $6.11 billion from fiscal year 2024 according to the state comptroller.
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County Public Building Commission will look at flooding issues that have occurred at the Ford County Courthouse when they meet this afternoon at 3. Approving leases and appointing officers are also topics for today’s meeting. The meeting comes to order at 3 this afternoon at the courthouse in Paxton
(Undated–jc) Medicare Advantage and any changes for medicare for the upcoming enrollment time in October are being announced. Abbe Insurance Agent Larry Abbe talks about potential changes and getting the proper information…
Abbe Insurance of Buckley Agent Larry Abbe
(Urbana-jm) – The upcoming midterm elections will be the focus of a roundtable discussion featuring notable University of Illinois journalism alumni. The panelists include retired Washington Post chief correspondent Dan Balz, managing editor of U–S economy and government at Bloomberg News Mario Parker, former CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano (key-ah-no) and the Washington Sun White House correspondent Jasmine Wright. The event is scheduled for Thursday, October 22nd at the Spurlock Museum at 7pm. It’s free and open to the public.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Area Down syndrome Group is hosting a family event on Sunday at Paxton Buckley Loda High School. The annual walk around the track at P-B-L takes place from noon until 2 on Sunday says Paxton Area Down Syndrome Group Spokesperson Darla Shall…
Paxton Area Down Syndrome Group Spokesperson Darla Shall. The public is invited to the event to celebrate, family
(Champaign County–jc) Champaign County Sheriff’s police continue to investigate a second shooting in two days this week. The latest shooting happened Wednesday morning around 9. Authorities were called to the Ivanhoe Estates mobile home park with a “shots fired” incident. Upon investigation, officers found a man with a gunshot wound. The investigation continues.The first shooting happened around 1 mile away from Wednesday's shooting. Champaign County Authorities are seeking the help of anyone who witnessed the shootings.
(The Center Square) – Early voting begins in Illinois this morning, but the state’s 40-day early voting period is accompanied by additional taxpayer costs. The Center Square asked Rock Island County Clerk Karen Kinney if early voting resulted in additional staffing costs and taxpayer impact. Kinney says additional costs for early voting includes more election judges and more employees. Plus more costs to set up crews and load trucks with election equipment for early voting centers. The fall mid term election date is Tuesday November 3rd.
(Gibson City–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Harvest Moon Twin Drive In Theater, route 47 south in Gibson City. Co Owner Ben Haroun talks about the history of the top 3 in the nation, outdoor theater…
He says they were voted in the top 3 Movie Drive In’s, in the entire country…
Harvest Moon Twin Drive Inn Theater co-cowner Ben Haroun
It's a double feature weekend this Friday and Saturday
On Screen 1…it's Shaun the Sheep and Matilda and on screen 2 Resident Evil and the movie Scream. It’s Frightfest week 3 at the Harvest Moon Twin Drive Inn Theater in Gibson City. The Harvest Moon Twin Drive In Theater is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News notes…
Buckley will hold their townwide fall garage sales on Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Friday, September 25th from 11-4 at the Rantoul City Schools Central Office.
The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a walk-in flu clinic on Friday, September 25th from 12-4 pm at the health department office in Paxton.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich supper on Friday, September 25th from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, September 26th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.
The Milford Christian Church will hold their Harvest of Talents on Saturday, September 26th from 8-2. Activities include breakfast and lunch, kids games from 9-11 and live auction at 1pm.
The 58th annual Clinton Apple n Pork Festival will take place on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th.
