(The Center Square) – The NFIB Uncertainty Index dropped six points to 84 last month, its lowest level since December 2025, while the NFIB Small Business Optimism ticked down 0.1 point in October to 97.8. Although optimism held steady and uncertainty eased, NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said Illinois employers continue to face high taxes, rising health insurance costs and workforce challenges.
(washington–jc) – With the harvest almost complete, now come some statistics. National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Anthoney Prillaman looks at corn production and yields…
National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Anthoney Prillaman
(Urbana-jm) – A 13-year-old student of Circle Academy was arrested after Urbana Police said they made shooting and bomb threats at the school. The threats were made Wednesday morning. Officers responded at 11:42 a.m. to reports that a student had made threats to shoot school staff and that the student had planted an explosive device inside the school. The teen was charged with making a terroristic threat.
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton leaders are meeting with officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation this morning to take the next step in the Clayton Haile walk bridge project in downtown Paxton. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the funds have been secured for the project and the meeting will help take the next steps for the project…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Springfield–jc) – An Illinois lawmaker pushing to change how legislative districts are drawn faces a political hurdle: persuading lawmakers who benefit from the current system to give up some control over the process. 93rd District State Representative. Travis Weaver, Republican from Edwards, is seeking a constitutional amendment that would establish new rules for redistricting, arguing the current maps leave some voters underrepresented. The proposal comes after Democrats expanded their supermajorities in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly in the November third election. Before the election, Democrats held a 78-40 majority in the Illinois House and a 40-19 majority in the Senate. Preliminary results following the election show Democrats expanding those advantages to 82-32 in the House and 45-13 in the Senate, with several races still unresolved.
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul High School policy committee will look at school development to business management and recruitment when they meet on Thursday night at 6 at the high school. Networking, student behavior and administering medicines to students are also agenda items. The Rantoul High School policy committee, again, meets at 6 tonight
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Restoration committee’s queen of hearts jackpot came in at 7 thousand 481 dollars last night. Roger Cramer had his ticket pulled and he chose to see what was behind card #19. It revealed the 5 of spades. Roger won $25. All money raised in the effort goes to building restoration in downtown Gibson City.
(Paxton–jc) Yesterday was Veterans Day, a time to thank those who have served our great nation. Paxton resident and Picket Fence Store Owner Dawn Mertes says everyone should thank veterans, everyday…
Paxton Resident and Picket Fence Store Owner Dawn Mertes.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs says the state’s updated disability savings program can help keep people who save money from losing public benefits. On Tuesday, Frerichs announced lower fees, updated investment options and a new mobile app for Able UP accounts, formerly known as Illinois ABLE. The program is not limited to Illinois residents, but Illinois taxpayers who contribute to an Able UP account may qualify for a state income tax deduction. Frerichs said, before the ABLE program, people receiving Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid and other benefits based on income and savings often could not build meaningful savings without risking the loss of assistance. Federal law expanded ABLE account eligibility on January 1, 2026. Previously, a person’s disability or qualifying medical condition had to begin before age 26. Now, eligible people whose disability or qualifying medical condition began before age 46 can open an ABLE account.
(Champaign–jc) The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs has a resource event set for Urbana this morning starting at 10am. Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince says its an opportunity for all veterans to know about benefits, to submit claims and access resources…
State of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince. The event runs from 10am to 6pm on Thursday at the Urbana National Guard.
(Orland Park–jc) –An Orland Park woman has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay more than $11 million in restitution plus a forfeiture judgment of nearly $2 million for running a pandemic assistance and unemployment benefits scheme. Prosecutors said Hiam Hmaidan, 54, abused her position as a tax preparer and, along with co-conspirators, submitted nearly 700 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims from May 2020 through December 2022.
(Cissna Park–jc) The Cissna Park F F A is hosting their annual auction and dinner on Saturday at the high school. Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says they will have seed and fuel, but also gift baskets and more at the event on Saturday…
Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton
(Joliet–jc) –With years of safety complaints and incidents within the Illinois Department of Corrections, especially stemming from the Joliet Treatment Center, Illinois lawmakers are seeking answers for how the department intends to improve conditions for inmates. More than 70 fires have been started over the last three years at the center – a low-population facility Corrections officials describe as a prison for male felons with severe mental illness. Among the fires were eight cases of prisoners intentionally setting themselves on fire, leading to the death of two inmates according to state records. Taxpayers pay over 336 thousand dollars each year, per inmate. Acting Department of Corrections Director Latoya Hughes says the department is working to improve conditions in Joliet with several new hires
(Springfield–jc) The fall veto session begins on Tuesday in Springfield. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has a look at priorities in Springfield…
(Chamaign–jc) Community Education at Parkland College has relaunched its Commercial Driver’s License Truck Driver Training Program in partnership with Road Runner Driving School. Parkland Colleges Vice President for Strategic Partnerships Stephanie Stuart says the truck driver program has helped students gain the skills and hands-on experience needed to launch successful careers in the transportation industry, Based in Park Forest, Road Runner Truck Driving School is an Illinois licensed commercial driver training school with more than 15 years of experience preparing students for a Class A CDL.
(Washington–jc) – With the harvest almost complete, now come some statistics. National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Anthoney Prillaman looks at soybean production and yields…
National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Anthoney Prillaman
WPXN News notes…
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 Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, November 13th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
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 Buckley Lion’s Club will host a Bingo night on Friday November 20th at the Buckley American Legion. Dinner is served at 5pm with Bingo beginning at 6pm.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Howl2Go Dueling Pianos on Friday, November 20th at 7pm.
The 43rd annual Gifford Community Craft Show will take place on Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd at Gordyville USA. Hours on Saturday are 8-5 and Sunday 9-3.
The Ashkum Lions Club will hold their holiday vendor event on Saturday, November 21st from 9-2 at the Ashkum Coliseum.
