(Springfield-jm) – Law enforcement leaders from across Illinois joined friends, family and state officials in Springfield Thursday to honor officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Capitol News Illinois reports the Illinois Police Officers Memorial is held annually on the first Thursday in May to pay tribute to the officers killed during the last year and to support their families. This year, two Chicago police officers were honored and had their names engraved on the monument outside the Capitol. There were also four historic honorees from across the state. Treasurer Michael Frerich tries to attend the event every year, but says it’s a day that no one looks forward to…
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. After the ceremony, family and friends of the fallen officers laid flowers and took rubbings of their loved ones' names engraved on the memorial.
(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois Senate Republican wants to ease some of the confusion and stress surrounding recent changes to the FAFSA form. Less than 50% of the expected high school graduates in Illinois have filled out the FAFSA form so far this year. However, Senator Dan McConchie said lawmakers have learned 23% of those students have to resubmit their forms with corrections. McConchie told the Senate Education Committee that Illinois should waive the requirement that students need to fill out the FAFSA prior to graduation this year. Some were concerned administrators or guidance counselors may tell students they won't need to fill out the FAFSA moving forward. McConchie explained this change would only impact the FAFSA process for the 2023-2024 school year.
(Paxton–jc) Crews at the Market Street Grill in downtown Paxton have been busy with a kitchen upgrade this week and also doing work on the outside Patio dining area that will open this month. Market Street Grill Manager Ryan Galey says they are re opening for regular hours this morning at 11am…
Market Street Grill downtown Paxton Manager Ryan Galey. The outdoor patio is expected to be ready by May 17th.
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County has not given up in a court battle with the Carle Foundation. County officials are asking the Illinois Supreme Court again to consider hearing a case over property tax exemptions. The case started in 2013, and a Champaign County judge ruled in 2020 in favor of the Carle Foundation for partial tax exemptions. An appellate court ruled in August that Carle should get charitable tax exemptions for parcels of land between 2004 and 2011 for Carle. The Supreme Court denied hearing the appeal in March.
(Buckley–jc) A Bleacher replacement project continues at one local Christian grade school. The project is being spearheaded by the Parents group at St John’s Lutheran School in Buckley. St John’s Executive Director Sandy Spitz says the price tag for the project is over 60 thousand dollars…
St John's Lutheran School in Buckley Executive Director Sandy Spitz.
(Urbana-jm) – Urbana’s Market at the Square returns this weekend for its 45th year. The first day is this Saturday, May 4th. The market will run from 7 a.m. until noon every Saturday through October. It will be located at the corner of Illinois and Vine Streets. The event has more than 150 vendors selling Illinois-grown produce, flowers, and farm products like meat, eggs, honey, and fresh baked goods. There will also be handmade arts and crafts as well as food trucks.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Democrats Wednesday passed legislation out of the House which Republicans say was filed at the last minute, completely lacking in transparency, smacking of self-serving political corruption, and allowing no way for the states constituents to weigh in on the proposals. An amendment was filed on Senate Bill 2412 Wednesday morning and it was assigned to the House Executive Committee. A hearing was held shortly thereafter and on Democrat votes, it passed out of committee. Two hours later, the bill was brought forth for a vote on the House floor. The measure would put three questions on the statewide ballot. Illinois currently limits the number of questions that can appear on a statewide ballot to three. That means any other questions advocates would like to see on the ballot, have been squeezed out by the vote. State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington…
State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington. The bill passed with 67 Democrat votes. House Republicans all voted present as a protest vote.
(Springfield-jm) – School support workers are asking Illinois lawmakers to address a personnel shortage in their respective fields. Speech pathologists, counselors, nurses and social workers were among the groups represented at a recent Illinois House Higher Education Committee hearing. One proposal under consideration is House Bill 5492. The measure would establish paid internship and scholarship programs, subject to appropriation, for students in school support fields.
(Springfield-jm) – Thursday was the National Day of Prayer — an occasion observed typically on the first Thursday in May in the U.S. This year is the 73rd such day of prayer. This year's theme is "Lift up the Word, Light up the World." At a time of strife and stress, many believe there is a very strong need for prayer right now. On the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives, 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville rose to comment on the importance of the day…
State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville.
(Normal-jm) – Electric vehicle maker Rivian will be making a $1.5 billion investment into the expansion of its Normal plant. The company says it will add an additional 550 workers over the next five years. Rivian’s total 30-year incentive package from the State of Illinois is valued at $827 million, with the majority of funding derived from REV tax credits with a focus on workforce development. Through REV, Rivian is eligible to receive tax benefits totaling nearly $634 million over the next three decades.
(Paxton–jc) – Paxton Mainstreet is hosting its Summer Free Concert series starting tonight at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says it's on the first Friday night each month…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper. Friday’s band is the Everingham-Pittman Band. The concessions open at 6pm and the concert starts at 7pm.
(Undated-jm) – The Eastern Illinois Foodbank has received a generous donation of $70,000 from Meijer to support its mission of combating hunger in Eastern Illinois. Funds will be used to purchase and distribute meals to those facing food insecurity in communities throughout the food bank's 18-county service area.
WPXN News Notes…
Cissna Park and Kellart Lake Townwide garage sales will take place today through Saturday. Hours today are 8-7, Saturday 8-noon.
St. Joseph townwide garage sales are today through Saturday.
Bayles Lake and Lake Iroquois garage sales are today and Saturday
Fisher townwide garage sales are today and Saturday.
Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair today from 3:30-5:30 at the Roberts Gym.
The Elliott Amvets will hold a family dinner night tonight. Doors open at 5 pm.
Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays concert series tonight from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton with the Everingham-Pittman Band performing. Concession stands at Veterans Square open at 6 on Friday night.
Hairbangers Ball is at the Cadillac in Paxton tonight. Doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 8pm.
Impact Life will hold a blood drive on Saturday from 9:30-1:30 at the First Lutheran Church of Paxton. To schedule your time email Kevin Hanson at e-m-t-c-o-o-r at hotmail dot com.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Panther Paws Wrestling on Saturday from 10-2.
The Philo Country Opry will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday at 7pm. Cost is $10 for those 13 and older. Food will be available starting at 5:30.
