(The Center Square) – Chicago officials say O’Hare International Airport recorded its busiest summer in history for the second year in a row. According to a statement from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office, O’Hare welcomed more than 25 million passengers from June through August 2026, an increase of about 2.7% over 2025.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Flu shot season continues in the WPXN listening area. Ford County Health Department Spokesperson Liz West says they have a program for children with no insurance…

Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Liz West

 

(Champaign-jm) – An 18-year-old at the University of Illinois was arrested after an investigation into alleged unauthorized videotaping in bathrooms at Oglesby Hall. In a news release posted online, the University of Illinois Police Department said Naavya Chhikara of Urbana was arrested around 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20. UIPD said Chhikara, an Illinois student, lived in the residence hall but no longer resides there. She appeared in court for arraignment a day after her arrest and was charged with two counts of unauthorized videotaping. Court records show Chhikara waived her preliminary hearing, pleaded not guilty and requested a trial by jury. UIPD said she was released pending a trial.

 

(Washington–dm)-What are some measurements regarding popularity of pumpkins from both producer and consumer point of view? USDA’s Rod Bain has the story

   

(CHAMPAIGN–dm) – As part of the 2026 Infrastructure Maintenance Project, Feutz Contractors, Inc. will be patching pavement on Marketview Drive.  This work will require lane closures on Marketview Drive between Anthony Drive and Moreland Boulevard.  The work will begin on Monday, October 26, 2026, and is expected to last approximately two weeks, weather permitting.  One lane of travel in each direction will remain open on Marketview Drive and access to all adjacent properties will be maintained.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The 20-26 city of Paxton Christmas Parade is set to step off on Saturday November 28th at 1-30pm in downtown Paxton. Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairman Dawn Mertes encourages all groups to participate in this year’s “Holly-Dolly Christmas”...

 

Paxton Christmas Parade Chairman Dawn Mertes

 

(The Center Square) – A top emergency aid official for the federal government told state officials across the country recently they should be prepared to bear more of the burden of emergency response to disasters instead of expecting federal help.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Cameron Hamilton told emergency management officials at a conference Tuesday about the government’s plan to provide less support after natural and other disasters, according to remarks he made reported by Politico. Illinois relied on about $1.95 billion from the federal government for its Emergency Management and Office of Homeland Security, while about $27.7 million came from state taxpayer funds.

 

(The Center Square) – Staffing industry leaders say proposed rule changes by the Illinois Department of Labor would be bad for business, bad for temporary workers, costly to consumers and potentially damaging to the tax base. The proposed rules require temporary workers who put in 720 hours over six months to be given full-time benefits or the cash equivalent. Frank Auriemma, president of the Staffing Services Association of Illinois and CEO of Oak Brook-based Summit Staffing, said it would become much more expensive for businesses to use temporary workers.

 

(Springfield–jc)  The unemployment rates are down in year-to-year numbers in East Central Illinois. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the numbers…

 

(Gibson City-jm) – A resource fair scheduled for Saturday in Gibson City has been cancelled. The fair was supposed to be put on by the Ford County Emergency Management Agency. The group did not provide a reason for the cancellation.

 

(Champaign–dm)- Starting a diet is tough enough. But for some, it brings headaches. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare explains what you can do about it.

Certain foods – like aged cheese, caffeine, chocolate, and cured meats – are also headache triggers.

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois Gaming Board has approved a proposed rule that adds video gaming to the agency’s voluntary Self-Exclusion Program for problem gamblers. If approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, the IGB rule will allow people who enroll in the program to exclude themselves from the state’s network of roughly 50,000 video gaming terminals through identity verification at video gaming redemption terminals.

 

(SPRINGFIELD –dm)- Illinois median home prices moved higher in September while home sales and available inventory were lower than the year before, according to data from Illinois REALTORS®. In September 2026, statewide home sales (including single-family homes and condominiums) of 11,104 homes sold was 3.3 percent less than 11,486 sold in September 2025. The 23,841 homes available for sale statewide in September were 2.7 percent less than the 24,511 homes available in September 2025. The monthly median price of $324,000 in September 2026 was 7.8 percent more than $300,500 in September 2025. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more and half sold for less.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Community Service Center in Rantoul. The local center has been a part of the Rantoul community since 1971 and serves the Rantoul Community and Champaign County with a wide variety of programs and services from the Eagles Nest Food Program at Rantoul High School to its annual Holiday Bureau toy drive at Christmas. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says they are hosting a halloween party at the Rantoul Sports Complex on Monday…

She provides a history of the center…

 

Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford

The Community Service Center of Rantoul is the WPXN Business of the Day, today. 

 

WPXN News notes…

The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich supper tonight from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, October 24th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.

 

Onarga will hold a Sunday in the Park event on Sunday, October 25th from noon to 4pm. Activities include craft vendors, food, kids games and live entertainment.

 

American Lutheran Church in Rantoul will hold a trunk or treat on Sunday, October 25th from 3-5 pm.

 

Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair on Wednesday, October 28th from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Gym.

 

The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a walk in flu clinic on Thursday, October 29th from 10-3 at the Ford County Public Health Department office in Paxton.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host The Subliminal Versus with Wonkzilla’z on Friday, October 30th at 7pm.

 

The Animal Medical Center in Gilman will hold their 4th annual Labrador Lap and Schnauzer Shuffle Run/Walk to benefit breast cancer research on Saturday, October 31st from 9:15-noon.