(The Center Square) – Incumbent Illinois members of Congress held their seats in Tuesday’s elections, and Democrats kept control of every district where there was no incumbent on the ballot. The newly-elected Dems are Daniel Biss, La Shawn Ford, Patty Garcia, Donna Miller and Melissa Bean, who returns to Congress after previously holding the Eighth District House seat from 2005 to 2011. Reelected U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski said in a social media post on Wednesday that Democrats are ready to end the tariff taxes driving up grocery bills, reversing the Medicaid cuts that hurt working people and extending the ACA tax credits.
(Springfield–jc) Now that Illinois Governor J B Pritzker has been elected to a third term, one issue for the state is to grow with jobs. The democratic governor talks about supplying the electrical needs for the future of good paying jobs for Illinoisans…
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker
(Forrest-jm) – Firefighters from multiple departments, including some in Ford County responded to a business fire south of Forrest Wednesday evening. It happened just after 5pm on Route 47 between county roads 500 and 600 north. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson Area Hospital Foundation has once again kicked off its holiday fundraiser called…”Love Lights a Tree” for the holiday period. Gibson Area Hospital and also Foundation Spokesperson Bill Kirby says there are several ways to help the foundation this Christmas…
Gibson Area Hospital Foundation Spokesperson Bill Kirby.
(St. Joseph-jm) – St. Joseph leaders have broken ground on a new $3 million community center. The center is being built at Woodard Family Park near the sports complex. The goal is to have the building open in the spring.
(Buckley–jc) Site work has started on a building to house the Buckley Fire Department. The property was formerly Norms Service Station along route 45 in the southern Iroquois town.
(Farmer City–jc) Sunday November 22 at 2pm is the time and date for the City of Farmer City Christmas parade this year. Farmer City Christmas Parade Chairman Chad Wills talks about this year’s theme…:Buddy the Elf”...
Farmer City Christmas Parade Chairman Chad Wills
(Paxton-jm) – A Paxton restaurant has announced they are closing. La Hacienda Cantina announced on their facebook page today that they are closing their doors on Saturday. The business has been in operation for about 6 years.
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Restoration committee held their weekly Queen of Hearts drawing. The jackpot was 7 thousand 223 dollars. Mick Klintworth had his ticket pulled from the tumbler. He chose to see what was behind card #15. It revealed the 7 of hearts. He won $25 for having his ticket. The next drawing is next Wednesday.
(The Center Square) - Chicago Teachers Union leaders say they will keep pushing for more state funding of public education after Tuesday’s school board elections in Chicago, and CTU members will strike if they need to. With a few precincts still not reported on Wednesday, CTU-backed candidates won at least nine of 21 Chicago Board of Education seats but fell short of gaining a majority. CTU President Stacy Davis Gates said billionaires spent a million dollars a week to support candidates for an unpaid position. Gates said CTU does not just bargain for sick time and personal days. Gates said state education funding is billions of dollars in arrears, and the rich should pay their fair share.
(Washington–jc) The soybean harvest sees most farmers having completed the harvest for 20-26. Recent dry weather has helped.. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey says some states are behind in the soybean harvest…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Gibson City-jm) – A Gibson City man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for possessing child pornography. Jonathan Caudill received the sentence in Ford County court. He faced up to 45 years in prison.
(Ford County–jc) –With the November elections complete for this cycle, some issues continue for local Republicans. Ford County Republican Party Spokesperson and former State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about several moving forward…
Ford County Republican Party Spokesperson and former State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City
(Champaign-jm) – A man accused of attempted murder in Champaign County is no longer facing charges after prosecutors said they had to dismiss the case against him. Kevin Pettis was arrested in July after Champaign Police investigated a shooting on Bradley Avenue in July that left a man wounded. He was charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Court records show Pettis was denied pretrial release, and he pleaded not guilty. A jury trial was scheduled to begin in late September. Prosecutors say they were unable to locate the victim or potential witnesses. The charges were dismissed without prejudice meaning charges could be re-filed.
(Champaign–jc) The City of Champaign Equity and Engagement Department is hosting a screening of the documentary “Join or Die” this afternoon in the city. Equity and Compliance Manager for the city of Champaign Janel Gomez says the event is set to help local citizens and groups communicate and engage with one another…
Equity and Compliance Manager for the city of Champaign Janel Gomez
(Champaign–jc0 The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the opening of Alliance Truck Parts of Champaign with a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday November 18th at 11:30 a.m. the local business is introducing a new source for affordable, all-makes truck parts to the local market. Located at 3302 N. Mattis Ave., just off Interstate 57 at the Olympian Drive interchange, Alliance Truck Parts provides truck owners, fleets and repair shops in east central Illinois with a local source for new and remanufactured parts and accessories for nearly all makes of medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks, trailers and buses.
WPXN News notes…
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, November 11th from 8-9 am at the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce office.
The Circle of Friends Artisan Market will take place on Friday, November 13th from 3-7 pm and on Saturday, November 14th from 9-3 at the Rantoul Recreation Center.
The Original Woodworth Fish Fry will take place on Friday, November 13th at St. Paul’s Lutheran School Woodworth. Carryouts will be available starting at 4 with dine in starting at 5.
The Gifford Fire Department will hold their spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, November 14th from 4-7 pm at the German Fall Festival Building in Gifford.
The Cissna Park FFA scholarship auction will take place on Saturday, November 14th starting at 6pm.
The Paxton Carnegie Library along with the Ford-Iroquois 4-H will host their Art Lit to Go for kids in grades K through 3 on Monday, November 16th from 4-5 pm.
