(Springfield-jm) – 100 school districts across the state will be receiving state grants to help address teacher shortages. The funding comes from the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program administered by the Illinois State Board of Education to support efforts to recruit, prepare and retain educators. Locally, Cissna Park is receiving just over $58,000; Hoopeston Area $85,000; Watseka $98,000; PBL $58,000; Rantoul City Schools and Rantoul Township High School almost $62,000 each.

 

(Champaign-jm) – For those heading to Gies Memorial Stadium for Illinois’ season opener tonight, listen up. University of Illinois Police along with the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is announcing a new traffic pattern for this season. They are implementing a lot specific traffic routing system for the season. The new routes are designed to ease traffic in the area as much as possible. More information about the traffic patterns are available at fighting illini dot com. 

 

(Ford County-jm) – Representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency-Office of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration will be in Paxton today conducting damage surveys. The group will be visiting some of the hardest hit areas from the recent flooding. Members of the Paxton Emergency Response Services will be with the damage assessment teams. This is the next step in pursuing federal disaster assistance for those impacted by the floods in August.

 

(Iowa–jc)  The annual Farm Progress Show continues today in Iowa. U S D A Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins took time to unveil the Department's Data Modernization Plan...

 

U S D A Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins

 

(Gibson City-jm) – The Harvest Moon Drive in Theatre in Gibson City will host a celebration of life this weekend to honor their founder and longtime owner. On Saturday, the theatre is inviting the public to honor Mike Harroun, who passed away in July. Harroun reopened the drive-in theatre in 1989. The celebration of life will begin at 5pm. It’s open and free to anyone who wants to attend. If you want to stay for the movie afterwards, you do still need to pay admission at that point.

 

(The Center Square) – The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Financial Conditions Index was unchanged at -0.56 in the week ending August 28th, suggesting steady financial conditions.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  With the announcement that Price Cutter Foods will be closing it’s Rantoul location, Rantoul Village officials are looking for opportunities for food sources. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says village leaders had already been looking for new businesses for some properties and now that search will take a top priority, going forward…

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois Flash Index posted a modest but unexpected gain in August 2026, rising to 101.5 from 101.2 in July. Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois Fred Giertz says the increase was driven by strong state tax revenue growth and a decline in Illinois’ unemployment rate,.The Index remains within the relatively narrow range it has occupied for more than a year, signaling continued but measured economic expansion. A key contributor to August’s increase was the strength of Illinois tax revenues. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  – The Illinois Department of Public Health  is responding to an outbreak of measles in Douglas County, involving at least four cases. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases that are connected by a common exposure source or epidemiological link. State Health Department officials are working with local health departments to identify residents who were exposed to patients during their infectious period and offer vaccination to those who are high-risk, as well as others in the community. 

 

(Washington-jm) – While negotiations over a new Farm Bill remain stalled in Washington, U–S Department of Agriculture officials say there is still momentum on Capitol Hill to get a comprehensive bill across the finish line. The uncertainty comes as farmers gather at the Farm Progress Show in Boone Iowa this week, where the outlook on the farm economy remains cautious but increasingly optimistic. The farm bill is intended to provide farmers with a long term federal safety net, but some significant changes to farm programs have already been made through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Those changes include increased payments through the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. The payments are expected to begin going out at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1st. 

 

(Paxton–jc) For most going through High School, it's the memories from sports , F F A Trips, school musicals and band. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm says having those activities is key to an overall high school experience and the band members are some of the busiest students throughout the year…

 

 

Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm

 

(Urbana-jm) —- The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating a pair of apartment burglaries that happened last week. The two reports came from the area of Springfield Avenue and Sixth Street. There were no signs of forced entry into either apartment and the door to one of the residences was confirmed to have been unlocked. In addition, entrances to the apartment building had been intentionally obstructed from closing and securing properly.

 

(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump’s administration is touting a crackdown on fraudulent commercial driver's license schools and unsafe truck drivers, but a Rockford trucking executive says federal officials are addressing the symptoms of a much larger problem. The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced Operation Highway Shield, a federal enforcement effort targeting unsafe commercial drivers, fraudulent credentials and other alleged violations in the trucking industry.

 

(Roberts–jc)  The required number of signatures from residents of Roberts was reached concerning application for a grant to help the town dispose of two run down properties. Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughn says the next step is applying for the grant…

 

 

Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughn

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois has earned its second credit rating upgrade in less than a week, as S&P Global Ratings raised the state’s general obligation bond rating on Tuesday to an A. Illinois still has the lowest credit rating of any U.S. state. Indiana, Iowa and Missouri have AAA ratings from S&P Global. Wisconsin has an AA+. Kentucky has an A+.

 

(Elliott–jc)  One Norwegian based local church is set to celebrate its 150th anniversary in early October. The Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in rural Elliott has their 150th celebration set for Friday October 2nd and Sunday October 4th. Friday will feature an opening celebration and reunion. On Sunday October 4th  a communion service, free lunch and several presentations.

 

WPXN News Notes…

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Paxton Church of Christ today from 12:30-5:30 pm.

 

The 78th Annual Central State’s Thresherman’s Reunion in Pontiac will take place today through Monday.

 

The 82nd Annual National Sweetcorn Festival will take place today through Monday at McFerren Park in Hoopeston.

The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Supper on Friday, September 4th from 4:30-6:30.

 

The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, September 4th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.

 

Middlefork Forest Preserve in Penfield will host their 3rd annual Cardboard Boat regatta on Saturday, September 5th registration and inspections begin at 2:30 pm with races beginning at 3:30 pm.

 

Dennis Stroughmatt and Band will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday, September 5th at 7pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Cost is $10 for adults, kids under 12 are free.

 

 

(The Center Square) – Ahead of the Labor Day weekend, fuel prices are again on the rise this week, with some of the highest prices in Illinois centered in the Chicago metro, Northwest Illinois and in the St. Louis metro area. According to AAA, the average price for a regular unleaded gallon of gasoline in Illinois was $4.29, up in recent days but down 6 cents from a month ago.

 

(Springfield–jc)  A new law that requires construction sites to have bathrooms for men and women,  also contains more stipulations to comply. One woman in Springfield says it needs to be clear. We hear more from 88th District State Representative Republican,  Reagan Deering of Decatur with a simple request…

   

88th District State Representative Reagan Deering, Republican from Decatur

Employers who fail to comply can face fines of up to $100, with a seven-day grace period following written notice for applicable first-time violations.

 

(Hoopeston-jm) – A Watseka man is facing multiple felony charges. Eli Alexander was arrested by Hoopeston police after they received multiple calls reporting theft. An investigation led police to Alexander. He’s charged with four counts of burglary to a vehicle and one count each of burglary to a garage, theft and possession of another’s credit or debit card.

 

(Roberts–jc)  Yesterday was the deadline for village of Roberts officials to receive support letters to apply for a grant to help the town clean up several dilapidated buildings. Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughn says the village has done everything they can, but a grant is needed to take the next step…

 

Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughn. The village has received a great amount of support and will now look at those grant opportunities. 

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – The Vermilion County War Museum is inviting the public to two events this Labor Day Weekend. The Museum’s class military Jeep will be part of the monthly First Friday event in downtown Danville from 5-8pm Friday evening. On Saturday, the museum will hold their First Saturday event with a walking tour of World War Two artifacts. Admission Saturday is free and the event starts at 1pm.

 

(Paxton–jc)  – The 20-26 Paxton Swine and Dine is coming on Saturday September 19th in the city of Paxton. This year’s entertainment is headed by Gabby Barrett and local star Gina Miles, Paxton Swine and Dine Spokesperson Alan Meyer…

 

Paxton Swine and Dine Spokesperson Alan Meyer

 

(Champaign–jc)  - The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a single-family home in the 900 block of North Fourth Street Tuesday morning around 4-30. Fire crews quickly extinguished this fire.     Once on the scene, firefighters reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the first floor with everyone outside the home.    One occupant was treated on scene and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation of minor injuries.  There were no firefighter injuries reported.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Governor  J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump is not wanted or needed in Illinois. Pritzker’s campaign released a statement on the President's visit. The President is simply attending the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Medinah later this month.Pritzker said in the statement that Trump knows where to find him. Pritzker called the visit a “fight.”

 

(Washington–jc)  The corn crop in the area, state and nation continues to move to the mature stage as harvest is coming later this month. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the numbers…

 

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

 

(The Center Square) – A Central Illinois elected county auditor has been asked to step down after a series of finance issues occurred under her leadership in recent years. Four-term elected McLean County Auditor Michelle Anderson, a Republican, is being asked to step down from her elected office by her own party. 

Political and government leaders in the county have said Anderson’s 18 years in the role has led to unnecessary risk and costs to county taxpayers, especially in recent years. Connie Beard, chairman of the McLean County Republicans, told The Center Square the county party’s committee voted unanimously after considering issues for months, like late payments, leading to unnecessary fees for the county.

 

(Undated-jm) – September is National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross and FEMA is reminding people preparing for emergencies doesn’t have to be expensive. They say you should develop an emergency plan for your household in case you have to evacuate and gather supplies for a go kit and a stay at home kit. They recommend hitting clearance bins and sales for your kit. More information is available at ready dot gov.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The annual Paxton Down Syndrome Walk is set for Sunday September 27th at the Paxton Buckley Loda Track. Event Spokesperson Darla Shall says there is a free meal and more for those who attend…

 

 

Paxton Down Syndrome Walk event Spokesperson Darla Shall

 

(Farmer City–jc)  With the warm temperatures today, one area town is getting ready for its annual Christmas parade. Farmer City is seeking entries for the annual parade. The parade date is SundayNovember 12th. The parade steps off at 2pm. This year’s theme is “Buddy the Elf.”

 

(Spirngfield–jc0  –The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says the public duck and goose hunting area permit second lottery will be open from today to September 15th. The bobcat permit lottery opens statewide today and ends on September 30th. More information is available on the Hunt Illinois website

 

(Hoopeston–jc)  The Hoopeston SweetCorn Festival kicks off tomorrow in the northern Vermilion County city. Three days of free sweetcorn will be provided on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at McFereen Park. A Carnival, tractor pulls, Bingo, and lots of music hilite the five day event. A parade is set for Saturday morning

 

(Chicago–jc)  The Chicago Department of Public Health has reported the city’s first two human cases and first death in 2026 from West Nile virus.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said the year’s first death in Illinois related to West Nile is a sobering reminder to take mosquito-borne illness seriously..

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois Department of Human Rights joined civil rights enforcement agencies in six states and the District of Columbia in a statement urging the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to not rescind federal workforce demographic reporting requirements. The agencies argued that ending the collection would reduce transparency and could shift costs rather than eliminate them.

 

WPXN News notes…

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Paxton Church of Christ on Thursday, September 3rd from 12:30-5:30 pm.

 

The 78th Annual Central State’s Thresherman’s Reunion in Pontiac will take place September 3rd through the 7th.

 

The 82nd Annual National Sweetcorn Festival will take place September 3rd-7th at McFerren Park in Hoopeston. 

The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Supper on Friday, September 4th from 4:30-6:30.

 

The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, September 4th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.

 

Middlefork Forest Preserve in Penfield will host their 3rd annual Cardboard Boat regatta on Saturday, September 5th registration and inspections begin at 2:30 pm with races beginning at 3:30 pm.

 

 

(The Center Square) – A Mahomet man has been charged with fraud and failing to pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. Prosecutors charged Hans Lee Grotelueschen, 56, with failing to pay the employer’s share of more than $859,000 collected from workers at this Champaign based business, YG Financial Group, from 2018 through 2024. Grotelueschen was also accused of fraudulently obtaining and improperly using pandemic era loans.

 

(Springfield–jc)  A new law signed by Illinois Governor J B Pritzker yesterday requires construction sites with 10 or more workers to provide a separate restroom for women. Reaction to the new law from 88th District  Republican Representative Regan Deering of Decatur…

 

88th District State Representative Reagan Deering Republican from Decatur

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police are investigating a report of shots fired Monday afternoon. Authorities say officers responded to the 2500 block of West Springfield Avenue just before 4 on Monday afternoon. Upon investigation, officers located shell casings and damage to a vehicle and building.  The investigation continues this morning

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Activities at the Rantoul Sports Complex may change some, but the months of September and October are busy ones. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton says several large soccer tournaments are coming to Rantoul…

   

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Champaign County Crimestoppers and Rantoul Police are seeking the public's help in identifying the person who committed a hit and run crash in Rantoul. It happened around 12:30pm  on July 31st in the parking lot of the Rantoul Walmart. They say a male exited Walmart and entered a gray Audi SUV with Florida plate. As he was backing out, he struck the rear driver’s side quarter panel of a second vehicle causing over $1,000 in damage before leaving the scene. The suspect is described as a slim black male wearing a black t shirt, black shorts and white and pink shoes. 

 

(Rantoul–jc)  There is a new wall mural in Rantoul. The Champaign County African American Heritage Trail and the Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation unveiled the mural to honor the Tuskegee Airmen who trained at the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. Several family members of the Tuskegee Airman were present on Monday afternoon. Family Member Barbara Suggs Mason  says the mural does a great job of depicting the airmen…

Tuskegee Airmen Family Member Barbara Suggs Mason

Another family member present was Angela Rivers who talked about her uncle who trained at Chanute…

Tuskegee Airman Family Member Angela Rivers.

Both ladies are residents of Champaign.

 

(Mahomet–jc)  An incident along Interstate 72 near Mahomet in Champaign County caused traffic delays for several hours Monday morning and early afternoon. All lanes were closed and diverted near Mahomet. Authorities say a semi tractor trailer caught fire. 

 

(Paxton–jc)  It’s just over 1 thousand 200. That’s the amount of students in the Paxton Buckley Loda School District. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm provides more on the numbers…

 

 

Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm

 

(Champaign County–jc)  – The Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection  event this fall will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 8am to noon at Parkland College.  Registration for this event opens on Tuesday, September First. To attend the  event, residents of Champaign County must register online in advance on line  The online registration process allows residents to reserve an available 15-minute time slot between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 10. 

 

(Springfield–dm)-The Illinois treasurer’s office made $1.45 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during fiscal year 2026, according to a statement from Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. The agency said it made nearly $759 million in gross investment earnings for cities, school districts, counties and other units of government through the Illinois Funds local government investment pool.

 

WATSEKA, Ill. — Iroquois Memorial Hospital will hold its September Know Your Numbers Lab Fair Sept. 14-19 at the hospital in Watseka and at IMH clinic locations in Gilman, Kentland, Milford and St. Anne on select days. No appointment is necessary. The Lab Fair gives area residents an opportunity to have routine blood work completed for $65. Several additional screenings are also available for an added cost.They include Ferritin testing , a thyroid profile and T-S-H testing A-One-C and vitamin level test are also options, Lab Fair dates and times vary by location.

 

(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit the Chicago area for the Presidents Cup golf tournament scheduled from September 22-27 at Medinah Country Club. Trump said it was his honor to accept PGA Tour Commissioner Brian Rolapp’s invitation to be the honorary chairman of the Presidents Cup.

 

(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois police have arrested a second juvenile in connection to an armed threats call last week. UIPD officers took the second suspect into custody Saturday night after spotting him near Fifth and Green Streets. Officers detained the teenager because he matched the description of the suspect. Despite commands to keep his hands visible, the juvenile repeatedly reached into his pockets. During a subsequent search, officers discovered a loaded, unserialized handgun tucked into his waistband. The juvenile was charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of an unserialized firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card.

 

(Rantoul–jc)   The Champaign County African American Heritage Trail and the Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation unveiled  a new mural honoring the Tuskegee Airmen Monday at 707 Veterans Parkway in Rantoul. Experience C-U’s Robert White talks about the funding for the new mural in the village…

 

 

Experience C-U’s Robert White. The mural was created by Chicago Artist  Dwight White the second, and pays tribute to the service, courage, excellence, and sacrifice of the Tuskegee Airmen while recognizing Rantoul’s meaningful place in their story through the former Chanute Field.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City leaders are looking at ways to address flooding in their community. They want to create two properties in town to increase the outflow of water. The project would involve a dry basin to capture 40 percent of the water from the northeast part of the city. That would cost about a million dollars. They are also planning a new $32 million sewer plant to actively pump water out of the system. The city’s next steps are to raise enough money for the projects. They are already sitting at half a million dollars for the dry basin project.

 

(Livingston County-jm) – Two people have been arrested in Livingston County after police say a traffic stop revealed four children, two adults and two dogs enclosed in the back of a U-Haul truck. It happened last week on I-55 at Pontiac. The driver told police they were moving from Louisiana to Michigan. Roy Hamel the second and Sabrina McKinney were charged with six counts each of endangering the life or health of a child. The children were taken to the hospital to be examined for heat related injuries.

 

(Washington–dm)-A mid-July heat dome appears to have contributed to late August crop condition numbers for corn grown in parts of the Midwest.

USDA’s Rod Bain has the story

 

 

(Champaign–jc)  –Parkland College will host the 2026 Illinois Regional College Fair  for area high school students and their families to explore a wide range of higher learning opportunities on Monday, September 14. The event introduces high school and community college-transfer students to representatives and displays from more than 60 national educational institutions. Participants will learn more about educational planning and speak to college and university representatives.

 This event is free and open to the public.

 

 

(The Center Square) – Trump administration officials say they have ordered the emergency removal of 110 commercial driver’s license schools associated with more than 5,000 drivers who failed English language proficiency tests. They have also shut down 150 additional schools that claim to be certified but have unlicensed instructors and don't have adequate space to allow drivers to get behind the wheel and drive. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin spoke in Detroit on Monday, joined by other federal officials and U.S. attorneys from several Midwest districts. “A lot of the licenses unlawfully issued come from California, New York, and a lot from Illinois,Duffy said. Duffy also said many of the violations happen in the Midwest. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office did not immediately respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.

 

(Paxton–dm)-There’s lots of activities going on at the Paxton Library.  Paxton Library Director Deb Mason tells us about some of the activities happening soon.

 

 

Paxton Library Director Deb Mason

 

WPXN News notes…

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Paxton Church of Christ on Thursday, September 3rd from 12:30-5:30 pm.

 

The 78th Annual Central State’s Thresherman’s Reunion in Pontiac will take place September 3rd through the 7th.

 

The 82nd Annual National Sweetcorn Festival will take place September 3rd-7th at McFerren Park in Hoopeston. 

 

Middlefork Forest Preserve in Penfield will host their 3rd annual Cardboard Boat regatta on Saturday, September 5th registration and inspections begin at 2:30 pm with races beginning at 3:30 pm.

 

Dennis Stroughmatt and Band will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday, September 5th at 7pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Cost is $10 for adults, kids under 12 are free.

 

The Harvest Moon Drive In Theatre in Gibson City will hold their 15th annual Frightfest weekend number One– September 10th through the 12th.