(Springfield-jc) – State Representative Regan Deering Republican from Decatur is joining her colleagues in urging B-J-C HealthCare and Aetna to reach an agreement that would preserve access to care for thousands of State of Illinois retirees. Retirees have received letters warning that, unless negotiations are successful, they could lose access to BJC HealthCare hospitals, physicians, and other providers through their Aetna insurance plans on January First In response to calls and emails from concerned retirees, Deering and her colleagues representing central and southern Illinois sent a letter to BJC HealthCare, Aetna Inc., and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services expressing their concerns about the potential impact on retirees.
(Springfield-jm) – A state bill has been filed that would create a path to financial relief for communities across 15 Illinois counties impacted by widespread storms in August, after FEMA denied the state disaster relief three weeks ago. Rep. Anthony DeLuca introduced the bill. He said he began writing it before the FEMA decision came down, adding he was not shocked at all by the denial. If passed, the bill would allow the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security to tap into the state’s budget stabilization fund, commonly known as the rainy day fund, to create grant opportunities. Local municipalities from the 15 counties could then apply to those opportunities, including financial statements proving how much it cost them to clean up. Of the 15 listed in the bill, five counties are located in Central Illinois: Champaign, Ford, Vermilion, Tazewell and McLean.
(Springfield-jm) – As voters prepare to go to the polls affordability will be one of the key issues. Republican Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey recently sat down with Capitol News Illinois to discuss the race. He was asked about the Trump Administration's tariffs and war with Iran affecting affordability…
Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey.
(Kankakee County-jm) – The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 5 Special Agents arrested 46-year-old Michael L. Wiggins of Bradley after an extensive sexual assault investigation. Authorities say there may be more victims and the public is asked to help identify other victims. In June 2026, ISP was notified by a sexual assault response team of multiple, now-adult victims who alleged that Wiggins sexually assaulted them as juveniles. After an extensive investigation, ISP presented the case to the Illinois State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor. On October 26, an arrest warrant was obtained for 26 charges against Wiggins, including multiple counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, Criminal Sexual Assault, and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Yesterday, ISP Special Agents, assisted by the Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the Bradley Police Department, executed the warrants at Wiggins’ residence in the 500 block of S. Blaine Ave. in Bradley, where he was taken into custody without incident. Wiggins was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in custody pending his first court appearance. During the investigation, Special Agents discovered evidence that indicates there are possibly other victims that have not yet been identified. These crimes potentially occurred in the Kankakee, Watseka, Champaign, or Decatur areas of Illinois. ISP is urging potential victims who may have been targeted by Wiggins or anyone who may have additional information to please contact ISP Zone 5 Special Agents at (217) 278-5000 or email at ISP.ZONE5COMMANDER@Illinois.Gov. Witnesses can remain anonymous.
(Champaign county–jc) - Voters go to the polls on Tuesday to elect a governor, U S Senator, state office holders and more. What is on the Champaign County Ballot. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing has announced a conditional loan commitment of up to $5 billion to finance upgrades across Constellation Energy’s nuclear fleet in Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania. A statement from the Department of Energy said the modernization efforts will add nearly 1.1 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 930,000 homes. Constellation’s planned investments for Illinois include Braidwood, Byron, Clinton, Dresden, LaSalle and the Quad Cities.
(Washingto–dm)The Agriculture Secretary earlier this week indicated a deal is being crafted between the U.S. and Mexico that would boost American ethanol export totals to that market. USDA’s Rob Bain has the story
(Urbana–jc) A teenager who was arrested after a shots fired incident in Urbana will remain behind bars. In updating our story 18-year-old Christopher Tate was charged in court on Wednesday with several firearms charges. Tate is due in court again on Tuesday November Third for a pre-trial conference.
(SPRINGFIELD—dm)-The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies across the state are putting a heightened focus on impaired driving this Halloween, reminding the public about the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High, Get a DUI” safety campaigns, which run through this weekend.
(Springfield-jm) – A new bill in Springfield could help eliminate pharmacy and grocery deserts statewide. Lawmakers and business leaders hope to encourage investment and help sustain access to essential goods and services. This plan could create a new tax credit to incentivize small businesses to establish, expand, or retain stores in communities considered to be pharmacy or grocery deserts. The idea has support from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Eligible businesses would need to be independently owned, with no more than four stores, and plan to make a qualifying capital investment of at least $500,000. Grocery stores with more than 15 employees would be required to invest at least $1 million. Participating grocers would also need to accept SNAP and WIC benefits. Stores located in grocery or pharmacy deserts could receive a credit of up to 100% of payroll withholding for new employees and 50% for retained workers. Eligible businesses would also be automatically enrolled in the enterprise zone high impact business program, which could provide a sales tax exemption on qualifying building materials.
(Illinois–dm)-Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in a lawsuit they say is aimed at stopping the Trump administration from gutting the Corporate Transparency Act. The coalition is challenging a new regulation exempting most businesses from revealing personal ownership information. The attorneys general say criminals often stash money in shell companies that are designed to hide personal information of those who own or control businesses from law enforcement and taxing authorities.
(Champaign County–jc) Voters go to the polls on Tuesday to elect statewide offices, state representatives and more. WPXN news looks at some ballot issues for Champaign County…
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is preparing for his potential 3rd term in office. Voters go to the polls in less than a week and Pritzker will be facing off against Darren Bailey for the second time. Pritzker sat down with Capitol News Illinois. He’s visited several states and is considered a possible contender in the 2028 Presidential election. Pritzker addressed those rumors…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.
(The Center Square) - The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Financial Conditions Index was unchanged at –0.49 in the week ending Oct. 23, suggesting steady financial conditions.
(Ford-Irouquois–dm)-Mark your calendar for November 8th for the Ford Iroquois 4H Foundation will be hosting their annual auction at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Woodworth. Foundation Chairperson Nita Dubble tells us about some of the items up for auction.
Ford Iroquois 4H Foundation Chairperson Nita Dubble
(Gibson City–jc)— Gibson City Melvin Sibley School officials invite the public to a Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce Meeting next Thursday at noon. Gibson City Melvin Sibley Superintendent Jeremy Darnell is set to bring details on a 1 percent school facility tax that could be on the April Spring ballot. The tax would help the district replace scoreboards at the high school track and football field and also scoreboards at the middle school in the city. Another topic will be the impact of a solar farm within the G-C-M-S District. A third topic is the mandated 10 year health-life-safety report.
(Illinois–dm)-Illinois officials say enrollment in career and technical education programs at community colleges in the state grew 5.9% this fall. The state has increased taxpayer funding for community colleges by 43%, or $63.1 million, since 2019. Total community college enrollment decreased 0.7% statewide from fall 2025 to fall 2026
(Cissna Park–jc) Today’s WPXN business of the day is In the Nick of Time in downtown Cissna Park. In the Nick of Time’s Heidi Draper says they are a family business that sells name brand appliances, but also provide a wide variety of services for homes and businesses…
She says they also sell and install HVAC, air conditioning units, do home repair and more to a wide service area …
In the Nick of Time’s Heidi Draper. In the Nick of Time is located in downtown Cissna Park. In the Nick of Time route 49 downtown Cissna Park is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News Notes
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 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.
The Paxton Park District will hold their trick or treat costume parade on Saturday, October 31st at 4pm starting at the library and going to the fire station.
The Iroquois Memorial Hospice annual brunch will take place on Sunday, November 1st from 8 to noon. Activities include brunch, silent auction and live music by A Natural High.
The Gibson Area Restoration Association will hold a Purses, Pastries and Preservation Fundraising Auction on Sunday, November 1st from 2-5 pm at the Kruse Event Center in Gibson City. Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Tickets are available by calling 217-249-8103.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their 2026 Community and Business Awards Banquet on Friday, November 6th at Timberline Grove in Rantoul. Doors open at 5 with dinner at 6.
