(Rantoul-jm) – Carle Health's Rantoul clinic at 1540 E. Grove St. is temporarily closed after the healthcare system identified "elevated levels of moisture" at the facility, says spokeswoman Brittany Simon. Carle is relocating appointments to other facilities within the region as it continues to evaluate the situation. It’s unknown when the facility will reopen.
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court has affirmed rulings by circuit and appellate courts in a case involving the continued detention of a defendant under the Pretrial Fairness Act portion of the SAFE-T Act. In People of the State of Illinois v. Jesse Post, a man charged with sexually assaulting children challenged a circuit court’s decision to keep him detained after he said his circumstances had changed. The state supreme court found the appropriate standard of review to be the manifest weight of the evidence and said the trial court must assess the unique, factual question of whether the defendant is a real and present threat to the community based on the specific facts of the case or to prevent his willful flight from prosecution.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Housing Development Authority and Governor JB Pritzker announced $156 million in investments for housing initiatives as part of Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD), Pritzker’s housing plan to address the state’s housing crisis. Of the $156 million, $103 million is new funding secured for the FY27 budget as part of BUILD. BUILD is designed to make housing more affordable by investing in programs that increase the housing supply.
(Springfield-jm) – Voters will be going to the polls on November 3rd and one of the hotly contested races is for Governor. Darren Bailey is running on the Republican ticket to unseat incumbent Democrat Governor J-B Pritzker, who is running for his third term. Bailey sat down with Capitol News Illinois to talk about the race for the top elected position in the state. One of the topics he discussed was the Safe-T Act…
Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey.
(Savoy-jm) – The Village of Savoy announced Thursday it selected Main Street Development Partners for the redevelopment of a 2.82-acre downtown square at the corner of Dunlap Avenue and Church Street. Main Street Development Partners is a joint venture between Tabeling Development Company and Community Property Management. A final agreement will be negotiated with approval by the village The area will include a walk area, multi-use buildings and restaurant area and more.
(Champaign–jc) The City of Champaign will begin a 10-month renovation of the City Building’s Council Chambers and entryway beginning on November 16th. The project will address Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility needs, improve building security, and modernize City facilities to better serve the community. Champaign city leaders approved the 2 point 8 million dollar project in September. Grunloh Construction of Effingham is completing the renovation.
(Washingtom–dm)What are some considerations regarding keeping children safe during Halloween events? USDA’s Rod Bain has the story
(Thomasboro–jc) Thomasboro and Rantoul firefighters were called to the scene of a tractor fire yesterday afternoon. The farm implement caught fire around 2pm When firefighters arrived the tractor was fully involved and is considered a total loss. No damage estimate was provided
(The Center Square) – Fuel prices dipped overnight in Illinois after AAA reported increases earlier this week. The average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded in the state was Four Dollars 79-cents this morning. The average Illinois price last year was three dollars 33-cents per gallon.Closer to home Costco and Sams Club in Champaign have gas at 4-29 per gallon. Caseys in Paxton is 4.79 per gallon and Caseys in Gibson City is 4-77 a gallon and the Mobile station in GIlman is 4 dollars 19 cents per gallon and in Milford gas is 4 dollars 62 cents a gallon
Gas in Missouri Iowa and Indiana average three dollars 85 cents..
(The Center Square) – The Citizens Utility Board says consumer and environmental groups will deliver more than 10,000 public comments calling for state regulators to reject a proposed $144 million rate hike request from Peoples Gas. CUB said in a press release issued on Thursday that the gas utility’s parent company, WEC Energy Group, recorded a 43.5% increase in third-quarter profits. Earlier this month, two Illinois Commerce Commission judges proposed lowering the Peoples rate hike to $66 million.
(Springfield-jm) – The November election is on Tuesday and voters will decide whether incumbent Governor J-B Pritzker will receive a third term, or whether Republican challenger Darren Bailey will unseat him on his second try. Governor Pritzker spoke with Capitol News Illinois about the upcoming race and talks about some of his policy objectives for his third term if he gets re-elected…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.
(Mahomet-jm) – The Village of Mahomet approved a resolution signing off on a letter supporting state-level efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer. The village board approved the added precautions as conversations about data centers continue throughout central Illinois. Village President Jason Tompkins wrote the letter, which urges state leaders to put more protections in place.
(Rantoul–jc) It must be holidaytime, because more reindeer are coming to Rantoul. Mark Hardy, co-owner of Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch west of Rantoul says two new reindeer will be at the ranch for Christmas…
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch Co Owner Mark Hardy.
The corn maze continues for the fall into mid November.
(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City Restoration Association is sponsoring their 2nd annual Purse Auction this Sunday November 1st to raise money for the restoration of the Burwell Building. Gibson City Restoration President Sharon Heavlin tells us about another fundraiser that is held every week.
Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavlin
(Paxton–jc) – Motorists trying to get to the downtown area of Paxton may want to review their options. Iroquois Paving is resurfacing the intersection of Holmes and Market and Pells and Market in downtown Paxton just over the railroad cut. Work continued this afternoon and is expected to continue through the weekend.
(The Center Square) – Illinois saw 1.16 million early ballots cast to date, roughly on par with the previous midterm election’s early vote turnout. One political science professor says early voting may not be an important indicator for the state’s voters this year. Ballots cast before election day come from two sources, mail-in voting and early in-person voting. The total number of in-person votes was about 608,000, while mail ballots returned totaled about 556,000 – less than half of all requested mail-in ballots. In the 2024 presidential election, voters submitted 2.39 million ballots before election day.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is A Picket Fence Florist in downtown Paxton. They carry flowers and arrangements, but also have seasonal signs, blooming plants, dish gardens, fruit baskets, gourmet baskets, gift baskets, baby shower gifts, candy, chocolates, gifts, greeting cards, home decor,and candles.
A Picket Fence Florist Owner Dawn Mertes talks about some cows, ducks and geese…
She says they can create your centerpiece for Thanksgiving and Christmas…
A Picket Fence Florist Owner Dawn Mertes A Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
WPXN News notes…
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 16th annual Iroquois West Music Boosters Craft and Vendor Show will take place on Saturday, November 7th from 9-2 at the Iroquois West High School Gym.
A Holiday Craft Sale will take place on Saturday, November 7th and Sunday, November 8th from 9-3 both days at the Kruse Center in Gibson City.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Emo Night Live with All American Throwbacks on Saturday, November 7th at 7pm.
The Ford-Iroquois 4-H Foundation will hold their auction on Sunday, November 8th at 2 pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Woodworth.
