(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.8% in April. The national unemployment rate was 3.9% in April, up a percentage point from the previous month. The number of unemployed workers was 313,200, up 0.3% from the prior month, and up 17% over the same month one year ago. In April, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included Professional and Business Services, Private Education and Health Services, and Leisure and Hospitality.
(Washington-jm) – The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to take up cases challenging Illinois’ gun and magazine ban. Illinois banned the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities in January 2023. Lawsuits challenging the law on constitutional grounds followed. After preliminary motions went up through the federal appeals court, plaintiffs asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. There are several possible outcomes, including justices deciding to take the cases or not, or deciding to relist. That could be known as early as Monday.
(Springfield-jm) – A new summer nutrition program aims to make sure kids are getting healthy meals when school is out. Capitol News Illinois reports the Summer EBT plan will give families with children who are eligible for free or reduced school lunch $120 per child for the month when school isn’t in session. Half of the students in Illinois qualify for these lunches. And for many, it might be their most substantial and reliable source of nutrition. State Schools Superintendent Tony Sanders says this money is a lifeline for families in need…
State Schools Superintendent Tony Sanders. The program is funded by the U-S Department of Agriculture and the money is distributed by the Illinois Department of Human Services.
(Urbana-jm) – New data from the Urbana Police Department is showing how crime was distributed across the city in the first quarter of 2024 and how it compares to the first quarter of last year. The data shows that overall crime increased by about 5.5% from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. Property crimes rose by 3% and violent crimes rose by 15%. There was a 100% rise in the number of sexual assaults, doubling from four to eight, an 85% rise in retail theft and a 44% rise in robberies. Overall theft and burglaries fell slightly by 8% and 6%, respectively while murders went from two to one.
(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the cause of an accident outside of Champaign Wednesday night that left one person dead and two others injured. One vehicle was headed north on County Road 900 E near 2400 N when it crossed into the southbound lanes and was struck by the second vehicle. The driver in the first vehicle died from the accident and a passenger of the second vehicle was airlifted to Carle with life threatening injuries The driver of the second vehicle was taken in an ambulance to Carle with non-life threatening injuries.
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul Sports Complex has another big weekend of baseball and softball. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid says over 60 baseball and softball teams are coming for tournament play…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid
(Paxton–jc) – Those traveling in downtown Paxton have another reason to “love” the city. At Veterans Square, a space, a heart and then 5 foot letters spell out Paxton. Those traveling in the area can take a picture to say I-Love-Paxton. Grice Signs Owner Nate Grice of Paxton says he was inspired years ago for a project like this…
Grice Signs of Paxton owner Nate Grice
The art is ready just in time for the Annual Draggin Main and Paxton Historic event on Saturday. Paxton Mainstreet is hosting a Jim Swick performance on Saturday at Veterans Square at 4pm.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation that the sponsor said is an effort to combat the rising problem of medical debt impacting an individual’s credit rating. Under the measure, a consumer reporting agency would be prohibited from making a credit report containing any adverse information about the consumer related to medical debt. The legislation now goes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his signature before being enacted into law.
(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers could pass a plan in the final weeks of session to improve procedures for student discipline. This comes as many teachers and administrators across the state have asked for help to address school safety. The Illinois State Board of Education could be required to draft and publish guidance for development of reciprocal reporting systems between schools and law enforcement. This measure calls on ISBE to publish guidance for re-engagement of students suspended, expelled or returning from an alternative school setting. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford explained her bill would also require new guidance for school bus safety and evidence-based intervention procedures on or before July 1, 2025.
(Springfield-jm) – Firefighters, families and dignitaries from around the state gathered in Springfield to remember the firefighters who died in the line of duty in the last year. Capitol News Illinois reports this year, 5 firefighters were remembered during the annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial. 4 of the fallen were part of the Chicago Fire Department. The 5th was the chief of the Maroa Countryside Fire Protection District. The names of this year’s fallen firefighters are now engraved at the memorial. Governor Prtizker spoke at the event, noting it takes a hero to drop everything and put themselves in danger for someone in need…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. After the memorial, an awards ceremony was held where families of the fallen firefighters were given gold badges. Medals of honor and valor were also given to firefighters from across the state during the ceremony.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is warning residents of a recent impersonation phone scam. Several community members received calls from someone claiming to be a Champaign Police Sergeant. The caller falsely told these recipients that they had previously unknown warrants that required immediate payment to avoid arrest. Police said residents should hang up on calls claiming to be from any law enforcement organization, and then try calling on their published phone number.
(Rantoul-jm) – If you see a cop on top of the Dunkin Donuts in Rantoul this morning, its for a good cause. Today is Cop on Top to raise money for Special Olympics. Officers will be on the rooftop until noon today.
(Paxton–jc) – A new agreement is in the works for the Paxton Fraternal Order of Police and the city of Paxton. City leaders were updated with the process for a new contract and Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says members of the F-O-P are looking over details of a new deal…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci’s measure to extend utility bill relief so more Illinois households can receive assistance advanced through the Senate.Faraci’s measure would eliminate the scheduled sunset date on a state fund that finances two needs-based assistance programs – the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. The fund was set to shut down Jan. 1, 2025. LIHEAP and PIPP offer bill payment assistance to low-income residential utility customers by helping eligible households pay for home energy services. Both assistance programs are administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.
(Washington-jm) – What 's in store for wheat growers in the new crop year? Gary Crawford reports…
(Melvin–jc) It’s time to get your entries for the Ford County Fair. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the PBL Youth Football program on Saturday from 10-2.
Paxton’s Draggin Main The Cruise on Market will take place on Saturday from 3-8 pm in downtown Paxton. Jim Swick will perform at Veterans Square starting at 4pm.
The PBL Band 25th annual Salute to Veterans Concert on Saturday starting at 7pm at the High School Gym. A lasagna dinner will be held from 5-6:30. The supper is $7.