(Undated-jm) – Ameren Illinois customers will see a new electricity supply price, lower than the summer price, but still higher than this time last year. Starting October 1 and running through May 2027, the new price for the first 800 kWh of usage will be 10.441 cents per kWh and 8.262 cents per kWh after that. The Citizens Utility Board said Ameren’s “price to compare” rate, while around 8% lower than last summer,11.326 cents per kWh for the first 800 kWh of usage, is still around 24% higher than the price set last October. Ameren Illinois says that the non-summer rate from October 2025 to May 2026 was 8.402 cents per kWh for the first 800 kWh.
(Washington–jc) We enter October with the fall harvest moving quickly. An update with Rod Bain…
(Iroquois County-jm) — A Kankakee man is facing a number of gun and drug charges after his arrest in Iroquois County Tuesday. In a release, the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office said on Sept. 29, they arrested 35-year-old Imanuel B. Wilson. He was arrested and charged with the following: 1 count of an un-serialized firearm, 1 count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, 1 count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and 3 counts of possession of a controlled substance and bringing contraband into a penal institution. Charging documents show Wilson brought cocaine and fentanyl into the Iroquois County Jail. He was also found in possession of a 22-caliber handgun with a green frame and black slide. After his arrest, Wilson was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was released with a notice to appear. Court documents show this notice to appear is set for October 29.
(Urbana–jc) –A Champaign County man is facing 30 years in prison following a drug raid last year. 36 year old Zamarlon Parker of Rantoul will be sentenced on December 15th in Champaign County Court. Parker was convicted of possession of a firearm and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.
(Paxton–jc) Work on the new gas station and restaurant on Paxton’s west side continues. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says some concrete has been poured and work on the building also continues as the group putting the new business in town, hopes to be open very soon…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor . J.B. Pritzker’s revelation that prescription weight loss medication made him healthier is raising questions about access and affordability. In a published Substack article about his personal journey, Pritzker said his doctor prescribed a GLP-1 along with insulin for his type 2 diabetes diagnosis. After using GLP-1s for about 18 months, Pritzker said he lost 80 pounds and is now off insulin. State Senator. Andrew Chesney, Republicn from Freeport, says millions of people struggle with weight management but don’t have the governor’s level of access and affordability. Medicaid reported spending $25 million in taxpayer funds for weight loss drugs in the first quarter of 2025 in Illinois.
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Department of Insurance has announced the return of 9 point Three Million dollars to consumers this year through its service for lost or unclaimed life insurance policies and annuities. Under Illinois law, insurance companies must attempt to find the beneficiaries of deceased policyholders when life insurance or annuity proceeds remain unpaid.
(The Center Square) - The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center say they will celebrate Manufacturing Month throughout October with the “Makers on the Move” bus tour. The first stop is scheduled on Friday at TCCI Manufacturing in Decatur. From there, the bus will make more than 30 stops around Illinois. The IMA says manufacturing is the largest contributor of any industry to the state’s gross domestic product, generating more than $580 billion each year.
(McLean County-jm) – A new community solar farm is now operating in McLean County, with developers saying the project will expand access to solar energy for income-eligible households. PureSky Energy and Ecology Action Center announced their McLean 1 Community Solar project has reached full operation. The 1.98-megawatt direct current solar farm is PureSky’s first project to launch in Illinois. The project, located along Interstate 74 near Downs, was developed through the Illinois Solar for All program, a statewide initiative aimed at expanding access to solar energy for income-eligible households, nonprofits and public facilities. Unlike traditional rooftop solar, community solar allows people to subscribe to a solar project without installing panels on their own property.
(Ford County–jc) Paxton Emergency Personnel have reported a field fire Thursday morning near route 9 and 23-50 East. Several Fire Departments were called to the field around 10-30 yesterday morning. No word on damages was provided
(Paxton–jc) The business climate in the city of Paxton continues to grow and the local Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is showcasing the community with an event on Saturday that started 8 years ago and has grown into a local and regional draw to the city. It is the annual Wine and Chocolate Walk. The group sold its 250 tickets to the event in just over one week. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Dawn Stack talks about business in Paxton……
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack
Tomorrow’s event, again, is sold out.
(Elliott–jc) The Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in rural Elliott will be celebrating its 150th anniversary on Friday and Sunday. Pontoppican Lutheran Church Council President Kevin Hanson talks about the initial weekend event that happens on Sunday…
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.
(Springfield–jc) –Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director James Jennings Thursday announced a second round of funding for projects addressing emerging contaminants in drinking and/or source water in small or disadvantaged communities. A total of 21Million 806 thousand dollars is available through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program.
(Danville–jc) - Danville Area Community College will host its Skilled Trades Fall Expo one week from yesterday. The event is set for 10am to 2pm in the front DACC parking lot. The event is open to anyone interested in exploring career opportunities in the skilled trades. Those attending may bring their resume.
(Champaign–jc) Traffic along Interstate 57 was slowed for several hours overnight due to a two vehicle crash near mile marker 236 near Champaign. Police say several injuries have been reported. Emergency personnel were on the scene for about 3 hours. The Interstate is back to normal traffic at this hour.
(Mahomet–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Crowley Pumpkins just north of Mahomet along Route 47. Co Owner Julia Crowley says they started the business in 2007 as a family…
She says it's a farmed based family business……
Crowley Pumpkins of Mahomet Co-owner Julia Crowley. Find them on facebook. Crowley’s Pumpkins is open 6pm to 8pm Mondays through Friday expect Thursdays and on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and Sundays 9am to 3pm
Crowley Pumpkins of Mahomet is he WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News notes…
The Cadillac in Paxton will host CreedSmack Live today at 8pm.
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.
Hudson Drug Shop will hold a drive thru flu or COVID clinic on Saturday, October 3rd from 9-noon at the Old Eastlawn Lot on East Center Street.
The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Wine and Chocolate Walk will take place on Saturday, October 3rd starting at 11 am.
Hudson Drug Shop will hold a drive thru flu and COVID clinic on today 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 today, from 10-1 at the American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gibson City.
The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Supper on today from 4:30-7:30pm.
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on today from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
