Local Headlines

UTICA – Officials have announced a toxic microcystin bloom in parts of the Illinois River. The Illinois EPA say they found toxins in samples collected near Starved Rock Lock & Dam. Authorities warn that the source could be blue-green algae, and it could cause adverse health effects in

PARK FOREST – The Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team say that a person they were seeking for alleged drug offenses was taken into custody in Cook County. They reported that around 11 AM Thursday the US Marshalls and the Cook County SHeriff’s Fugitive Unit took 39-year-old

By DON BABWIN Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — Two brothers who threatened to stop cooperating with prosecutors in the case against actor Jussie Smollett have changed their mind. In a statement issued Thursday, an attorney representing Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, said that two who have

By JOHN O’CONNOR AP Political Writer SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois residents may go to work, exercise at the gym, dine with family at a restaurant and see a movie at the theater starting Friday as the state moves further into resuming some semblance of normal living during the ongoing

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — A central Illinois judge has dismissed for a second time a lawsuit filed by the estate  of a slain visiting Chinese scholar against two social workers at a University of Illinois counseling center. Champaign County Circuit Judge Jason Bohm wrote Wednesday what happened to

EARLVILLE- The Earlville Fire Department was awarded a Small Equipment Grant by the Illinois State Fire Marshal.  The department applied for and was approved for the amount of $25,415 to spend on 13 sets of bunker pants and coats.    The new sets of gear will replace the 12-year-old sets

CHICAGO – Governor J.B. Pritzker says while this is “not a signal the battle is over,” Illinois can proceed to phase 4 in its reopening plan.  At a press briefing from Chicago, the governor said that under phase 4, movie theaters, fitness centers, gyms, and restaurants can open

SPRINGFIELD – County unemployment numbers were released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and area counties saw a two to three percent decrease for the month of May.  LaSalle County recorded an unemployment rate of 15.6%, and while it is the 15th highest rate in

SPRINGFIELD – County unemployment numbers were released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and area counties saw a two to three percent decrease for the month of May.  LaSalle County recorded an unemployment rate of 15.6%, and while it is the 15th highest rate in

TROY GROVE- A fire in rural LaSalle County heavily damaged two vehicles Thursday morning.  After 4 AM Troy Grove and Mendota Fire Departments were called to the 200 block of US Route 52, where they found a semi-tractor and a car fully engulfed in flames.   An adjacent tractor-trailer and