Local Headlines

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A union representing thousands of Illinois state workers says its members have approved a four-year contract that offers lump-sum payments and a series of raises. AFSCME Council 31 says workers will get $625 for each of the past four years worked. There will be a 1.5%

DWIGHT, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill that would ban privately operated immigrant detention centers. A center had been proposed for Dwight in Livingston County. Mayor Jared Anderson tells radio station WJBC that it would have provided more than 300 jobs. Pritzker

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — State health officials say they’re adding a screening for a rare hereditary disorder that affects the brain, nervous system and adrenal gland test for all newborn babies in Illinois. Adrenoleukodystrophy affects about 1 in 20,000 births. The Illinois Department of

LAPORTE, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say a man struck his 15-year-old brother in the head in northwestern Indiana because he was upset about the teen vaping indoors, causing a skull fracture that led to his death. The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports that a recording of a hearing in the

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — A judge has set closing arguments for Monday after a former University of Illinois student accused of killing a scholar from China declined to testify at a trial that could lead to the death penalty. Prosecutors and Brendt Christensen’s lawyers rested their cases

OTTAWA – The identity of two people found dead in an Ottawa home was released, and one suspected person has been found dead. According to the Ottawa Police Department, 49-year-old Nicol E. Scolaro and 51-year-old Paul E. Ladue were found dead as a result of multiple gunshot wounds in a

OTTAWA – Two people have been found dead inside an Ottawa home. Ottawa Police said that shortly after 7 pm Friday, they were sent to a north side address to check on the well being of the residents. Police say two people, one male, and one female, were found dead inside the residence.

The American Red Cross wants everyone to enjoy the season and offers safety tips you can follow all summer long while enjoying outdoors activities with family and friends. Before going in, on or around the water, every family member should become “water smart.” This starts with learning to be

WAUCONDA, Ill. (AP) — A Civil War reenactment at a northeastern Illinois forest preserve is back on after the event was temporarily canceled by a county official over questions of its value, as well as the use of the Confederate flag. Lake County Forest Preserves District President Angelo Kyle

OTTAWA – The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office, Probation Office and LaSalle County State’s Attorney are seeking employment partners in a program to help offenders find local jobs. According to the Sheriff Thomas Templeton, the goal of the initiative is to reduce the risk of