Local Headlines

  VALMEYER, Ill. (AP) — A southern Illinois county repealed an ordinance that would enable the construction of wind farms, stalling a proposal to build 50 turbines along the Mississippi River. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted to suspend the Wind Energy Conversion Ordinance

OTTAWA – A Utica man held a public gathering in front of Ottawa’s courthouse to formally announce his candidacy to run as Republican for state representative for Illinois’ 76th District Friday afternoon. 39-year-old Travis Breedan says he’s running for the position

SOMONAUK – After further investigations into an alleged attempted child abduction near Somonauk earlier this week, the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office says, the incident is a misunderstanding. On Monday morning, the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office said they received a report of

BENTON, Ill. (AP) — A southern Illinois correctional officer is on administrative leave after being accused of sexual misconduct involving female inmates. Illinois State Police say Chet L. Shaffer of Thompsonville was arrested Thursday and charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault,

CHICAGO (AP) — A judge appointed a special prosecutor Friday to look into why the Chicago state’s attorney’s office abruptly dropped the case against Jussie Smollett, leaving open the possibility that the former “Empire” actor could yet face charges in what police say

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois State Police trooper died from wounds suffered early Friday while executing a search warrant in East St. Louis. Trooper Nicholas Hopkins, 33, of Waterloo, a 10-year veteran of the force, was wounded during an exchange of gunfire while serving the warrant

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has received more than $400,000 in grants for a project that aims to publish every document written by the nation’s 16th president. The Springfield-based library says the Papers of Abraham Lincoln project was

CHICAGO (AP) — A new lawsuit wants a federal judge in Chicago to deem unconstitutional laws that let charity groups solicit money on roadway medians but that ban panhandlers from doing so. The filing on behalf of two panhandlers argues Illinois law and a Downers Grove ordinance violate

MENDOTA- One person was taken to the hospital with burn injuries after a car fire Friday night in Mendota.   Around 10:30 PM Mendota Fire and EMS were called to the 1400 block of Meriden Street for a car fire in a driveway.   According to Fire Chief Rutishauser an occupant of the residence had