Local Headlines

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Coalition for Better Mental Health Care is teaming with legislators to push for new mental health funding and reform. House Bill 2486 and Senate Bill 1763, filed by state Rep. Deb Conroy and state Sen. Heather Steans would steadily increase state investment in

OTTAWA – Senior citizens  of LaSalle County with household incomes under $55,000 are encouraged to take advantage of the “Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program”. The program is a state sponsored tax relief program that allows qualified senior citizens to elect to

OTTAWA – OSF Health Care’s St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa is limiting patient visits, effective immediately. The recommendation stems from the Illinois Department of Public Health in response to state influenza activity level, which is currently widespread. OSF St. Elizabeth

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker is proposing a 32-cents-per-pack hike in the state’s cigarette tax. The proposal is part of the Democrat’s $39 billion budget unveiled Wednesday. The state tax on cigarettes is currently $1.98 per pack. It was last raised by $1 in 2012.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — New Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed a budget Wednesday that relies partly on tax revenues from two industries that currently aren’t legal in the state, which is saddled with billions of dollars in pension obligations and other debts. Pritzker’s $39

MENDOTA- The new high school may be over fifteen years old, but the building is now in the free and clear after the last bond payment was made.   The Mendota Township High School Board celebrated Tuesday night with a bond shredding party complete with cake.

ROCHELLE- An Illinois State Trooper was injured in a multi-vehicle crash Monday night near Rochelle.    According to the Illinois State Police around 6:45 p.m. a trooper was inside his car with lights activated while conducting a traffic stop when a tractor trailer allegedly overcorrected

MENDOTA – Mendota Fire Chief Dennis Rutishauser commended departments for braving the ice and snow storms to serve residents, last week. On Tuesday of last week, North central Illinois was hit with an aggressive wintry mix of rain, snow and wind gusts that took out power lines throughout

AURORA – In response to the devastating shooting at a manufacturing warehouse in Aurora, a GoFundme page has raised over $ 90,000 in just three days. The #Aurora Strong Community fund is administered by the city’s police and fire departments to relieve financial burdens of families

OTTAWA – State Representative Lance Yednock is sponsoring legislation to push agencies in doing more to end the opioid crisis. House Resolution 58 encourages the Illinois Department of Public Health to adopt new guidelines around the distribution of painkillers, preventing