Local Headlines

CHICAGO (AP) — New documents on the Jussie Smollett case released Thursday show that prosecutors told Chicago police detectives that a possible deal with the “Empire” actor was in the works a month before charges against him were dropped. The approximately 460-pages of new documents

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Democrats who control the Illinois House on Thursday approved tiered income-tax rates that would take effect if voters opt for revamping state taxation to hit higher incomes harder, a plan they say is aimed at attacking the state’s crippling debt. The 67-48 vote

CHICAGO (AP) — Prosecutors charged R&B singer R. Kelly on Thursday with 11 new sex-related counts involving one of the women who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was underage, including counts that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, making them the most serious he

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Between the country’s trade dispute with China and the seemingly endless storms that have drenched the central U.S., Iowa farmer Robb Ewoldt has had plenty of time to think about whether it’s too late to plant this season, how much federal aid he might get if

CHICAGO (AP) — A judge has denied bail for two central Illinois men charged in the Chicago shooting death of a woman who was shielding her 1-year-old daughter from their gunfire. Authorities say 39-year-old Michael Washington and 23-year-old Eric Adams are charged with first-degree murder in

OTTAWA – Four cases of Lyme Disease were confirmed in LaSalle County last year. According to health educator Jenny Barrie, three out of four of the cases had travel history outside of LaSalle County, and one case was most likely acquired locally. Barrie says location and time spent outdoors

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Sue Rezin voted present on a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana. The Illinois Senate passed House Bill 1483, or The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act passed by a 38-17 vote. Rezin’s “present” motion, means the vote does not count towards

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The man who became the first U.S. priest to be labeled sexually violent for crimes in Illinois has admitting abusing two boys in Missouri. Fred Lenczycki pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts for crimes that occurred in the early 1990s. He was serving at a parish in north St.

LASALLE – The dirt track racing facility east of LaSalle will be closing.  LaSalle Speedway announced their decision Thursday on social media to cease operations.    The track was opened in 1992 and held many races,  including those with a number of notable NASCAR drivers like Kasey

DIXON – Due to the unexpected amounts of rainfall, Lee County Sheriff John Simonton will be re-instituting the “NO WAKE” ordinance – effective this morning. Simonton apologizes for the short turnaround on this change, but the rainfall was much greater than expected, causing the river