(The Center Square) - The Federal Trade Commission, Illinois and 11 other states have reached a $35 million settlement with pesticide manufacturer Corteva. A statement from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the agreement would lead to lower pesticide prices for farmers in Illinois and across the country. Raoul’s office said the deal is expected to return about $7.5 million to affected Illinois farmers. Under the terms of the settlement, Corteva will dismantle its existing pesticides loyalty program, which has limited distributors’ ability to do business with generic competitors that seek to enter the market after Corteva patents have expired. In addition to Illinois, the FTC’s co-plaintiffs included Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin.
(Undated-jm) – The fall harvest in Illinois is underway but the spring rains and summer heat are impacting corn yields. The University of Illinois Extension says yields will be slightly lower this year compared to the 2025 crop. About 20 percent of the corn crop has been harvested so far with soybeans at 15 percent harvested.
(Kanas–jc) Scams are always around. How do you look for a phone call or text or email that is a scam? Kansas State University’s Elizabeth Kish looks at the signs of scams…
Kansas State University’s Elizabeth Kish
(Champaign-jm) – Two teens have been arrested in connection to a shooting in Champaign Monday afternoon. A 14 year old and 17 year old were arrested around 7pm Monday evening on charges of aggravated battery with a firearm. Police say a 16 year old was struck after multiple suspects fired weapons in the area. Three unlawfully possessed firearms were also found inside a residence during the investigation.
(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Police say the death of 29 year old Alex Rodriguez appears to be accidental, with no foul play suspected. Rodriguez was found deceased on a bench near the Alma Mater statue Monday morning. The investigation is still ongoing and an autopsy has been scheduled.
(Paxton–jc) Work on the Pells Park Pavilion in Paxtonwill continue, but several projects are taking center stage and city funds. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the city has made upgrades at the park pavilion over the past 4 to 6 years and will look at more in the future…
City of Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Cullom–jc) Health, Life and Safety projects will be on the minds of leaders at one area school District on Thursday afternoon. The Tri Point Board of Education is meeting as a committee of the whole board to look at findings for buildings and grounds in Kempton. The meeting comes to order at 4 Thursday afternoon in Kempton.
(Chicago–jc) Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker says credit rating upgrades have saved Illinois taxpayers millions of dollars, but Wirepoints founder Mark Glennon says the upgrades were fueled by tax hikes that cost taxpayers billions more.
The governor touted his administration’s fiscal achievements at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Chicago. Glennon said the bond rating upgrades are good, but they did not happen because of structural reforms or spending cuts.The Wirepoints founder said tax increases under Pritzker drove a 68% increase in tax collections since 2020.
(The Center Square) - Illinois Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate nominee Juliana Stratton’s campaign is supporting fellow Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate campaign in Michigan. In campaign emails marked, “Paid for by Juliana Stratton for Illinois,” El-Sayed urged supporters to split donations between his campaign and Stratton’s. Wirepoints founder Mark Glennon said it is unclear at this point how much further financial support Stratton is providing for El-Sayed, but he said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is bankrolling most of Stratton’s campaign. More Jewish political leaders recently joined a Michigan coalition calling on El-Sayed to sign on to five commitments addressing concerns over Jewish safety and political participation. Stratton is facing Republican Don Tracy and independent Whitfield Harrington in the Illinois Senate race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. El-Sayed is facing Republican Mark Rogers in Michigan.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Democrats have passed several plans in recent years to help renters, but House Republicans have filed a bill to support landlords trying to remove tenants. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said that recent laws have harmed property owners and its past time for Springfield to support fair rental enforcement. Her plan could amend the state’s eviction law to allow the summons and compliant to be served to tenants within five business days. Tenants would be required to appear in court within five business days of receiving the eviction notice.
(Buckley–jc) The new medicare enrollment will start next month and there are always changes and concerns. Abbe Insurance Agency of Buckley Agent Larry Abbe says to get the information you need to make a decision for you and your family…
Abbe Insurance of Buckley Agent Larry Abbe
(Spring Grove–jc) –– Three Illinois Lottery players won a combined $1.6 million in prizes from Monday’s Powerball and Lucky Day Lotto drawings.
A Powerball player matched all five numbers — 17-21-29-42-49 — plus the Powerball number 7 to win a $1 million prize in the Monday, September 28 drawing. The winning ticket was purchased at Jewel-Osco, located at 2401 N. U.S. Highway 12 in Spring Grove. For selling the winning ticket, the store will receive a $10,000 selling bonus
(Elliott–jc) The Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in rural Elliott will be celebrating its 150th anniversary on Friday and Sunday. Pontoppidan Lutheran Church Council President Kevin Hanson talks about the initial weekend event that happens Friday night at 7…
Pontoppidan Lutheran Church Council President Kevin Hanson. The celebration continues on Sunday morning, with a service at 10-45, a luncheon and celebration. Sunday’s speaker is Bishop Reverend Greg Busboom. He is originally from the Gifford area.
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County Public Building Commission will look at the fiscal year 20-27 levy in the county when they meet on Thursday afternoon in Paxton. Leasing property on the courthouse grounds in Paxton is also a topic for the commission. Flooding issues and hiring an attorney are also meeting items at the meeting which starts at 3 on Thursday afternoon.
(Springfield–jc) The Illinois Department of Revenue is inviting feedback on proposed rules for the state’s digital assets tax that is scheduled to take effect January First. The draft rules will be available for public review and comment on the homepage of the department's website— Tax-Dot-Illinois-Dot-Gov, now through October 30th. There is a bill in Springfield to repeal the tax and some chamber officials filed a lawsuit claiming the tax is unconstitutional.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is The Cadillac and Mom and Pops Kettle Korn Stop in Paxton. The pair of businesses are owned by Alan and Marsha Meyer. Owner Alan Meyer says the Cadillac starts its Fall and Winter concert series this Friday night…
Meyer says Mom and Pops has their fall and holiday flavors
Mom and Pops Co- Owner Alan Meyer.
Mom and Pops also has extended hours for the fall and winter
The Cadillac and Mom and Pops Kettle Korn Stop are the WPXN Businesses of the Day, today
WPXN News notes…
Hudson Drug Shop will hold a drive thru flu and COVID clinic on Friday, October 2nd from 9-10:30 am at Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley.
The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a walk in flu clinic on Friday, October 2nd from 10-1 at the American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gibson City.
The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Supper on Friday, October 2nd from 4:30-7:30pm.
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, October 2nd from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their 8th Annual Glow in the Dark Golf Outing on Friday, October 2nd at Willow Pond Golf Course.
The Vermilion County Health Department will be holding a free electronics recycling collection on Saturday, October 3rd from 8:30-11 at the north parking lot of Danville Area Community College.
