House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is pushing a bill that would allow his employees to unionize. Under the measure, legislative staffers within the state government would be allowed to collectively bargain through representatives of their choosing. The proposal comes after a group of Welch’s staffers declared last year their intentions to form a union to secure higher wages and better benefits.
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Some 40 million dollars is available to be claimed in Illinois’ Unclaimed Property program. State officials say the funds belong to people who may have overlooked money from a life insurance policy, safety deposit boxes, and even unused rebate cards. Legally, the Illinois treasurer has to return that property to the owners or heirs, no matter how long it takes. Checks up to five thousand dollars will be arriving in mailboxes soon. The state treasury estimates that nearly 67 thousand people have forgotten funds totaling more than 47 million dollars.
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Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers have added a robotic-arm-assisted surgery for total hip, knee, and partial knee replacement surgeries. It’s a new way to reduce knee or hip arthritis pain. Morris Hospital’s Orthopedic Surgeon, Paul Perona, says it’s still the surgeon, not the robot, who performs robotic arm-assisted surgery.
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Heritage Harbor of Ottawa homeowners recently held a launch party for “Spirit of the Harbor,” their Starved Rock Country Community Foundation fund. Over $3,600 was raised for the fund that promotes community giving by Heritage Harbor homeowners, boaters, and friends. The Spirit of the Harbor Fund was established by Heritage Harbor Ottawa Managing Partner Tom Heimsoth to provide a way to make financial contributions supporting local charities throughout Starved Rock Country.
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says Conservation Police officers will be monitoring for drone use during the fall and winter hunting season. IDNR has issued a reminder that the use of unmanned aircraft for any aspect of hunting or recovery of wildlife is against the law. As the fall hunting season
kicks into gear on Sunday, October 1st, with the opening of archery deer and turkey seasons, Conservation Police is encouraging hunters to review the Illinois Wildlife Code.
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LaSalle County Deputies say there were no injuries in a single-vehicle accident in South Ottawa Township Wednesday evening. 19-year-old Sofie Offermann of Ottawa struck a deer on North 2703rd Road.
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A 39-year-old Newark man is charged by LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, failure to notify police, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. 39-year-old Andrew Schwartz lost control of his vehicle and hit a road sign at the intersection of Illinois 71 and North 39th Road shortly after 1:00 a.m. Sunday. He was released with a court date.
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No one was hurt in a single-vehicle accident late Monday night in Rutland Township. 45-year-old Anthony Newberry of Millington lost control on a curve near North 3450th Road and East 2375th Road and struck a utility pole.
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WEATHER:
Today
Areas of patchy fog early. Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 72F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 53F. Winds are light and variable.
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OBITUARIES:
Christopher George Falaney, age 55, of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 20th, in Normal.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. this Saturday, at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.
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Shirley A. Gielow, 81 of Grand Ridge passed away Sunday at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa. A visitation will be held Sunday from 4 – 6 PM at the Grand Ridge Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6 PM. A private family burial will be in the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, in Ottawa.
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David Dare Ross, 77, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, September 25th. Visitation will be held TODAY from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Funeral Home. A private graveside burial will be held on Friday at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Robert VonRuden, 87, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, September 22nd, at his home. Visitation will be on today Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, at St. Columba Catholic Church, with Msgr. Mark Merdian officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Columba Cemetery.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Football
Ottawa Vs. Woodstock North: Our featured game of the week tomorrow will have Woodstock North visiting King Field. Join Bryer Lehr and Isaac Missle with the call. And Tony B is back at the WCMY studios. We will have a 6:45 p.m. pre-game and a 7 p.m. kick-off!
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Boys golf
Ottawa wins fifth straight regional: The Pirates set a school record with a 3-over-par 287 in capturing the title of the Class 2A Sycamore Regional at Sycamore Golf Club.
Ottawa, which advances to Monday’s Freeport Sectional at Park Hills Golf Club
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Streator to send four to sectional: The Bulldogs shot a team score of 338 to fall just seven strokes behind third-place Morris for the final advancing team spot at the Class 2A Pontiac Regional at The Oaks at River’s Edge Course.
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Earlville golfers, team failed to advance: The Red Raiders shot a team score of 378 to finish eighth at the Class 1A Riverdale Regional at Byron Hill Golf Course.
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Boys soccer
Serena 5, Yorkville Christian 0: At Yorkville, the Huskers win over the Mustangs.
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Girls volleyball
Marquette Academy 2, Serena 0: At Bader Gymnasium, the Crusaders improved to 16-4 on the season with a 25-7, 25-19 victory over the Huskers.
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Cross country
Ottawa girls 8th, boys 14th at El Paso: At the El Paso Invite on Tuesday, the Pirates girls squad finished eighth out of 14 teams. The boy’s team also faced six state-ranked teams in its field of 19 and came away 14th.
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PRO SPORTS:
>>White Sox Get Blanked By D-Backs
(Chicago, IL) — The White Sox left nine runners on base during a 3-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Southsiders went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position during the losing effort, and Luis Patino was charged with his first loss after surrendering three runs on three hits in two-and-a-third innings. The White Sox remain in fourth place in the AL Central at 60-and-98. Touki Toussaint takes the mound for the Southsiders against Arizona this afternoon.
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>>Cubs Fall To Braves
(Atlanta, GA) — The Cubs missed another chance to solidify their playoff chances with a 6-5, ten-inning loss to the Braves in Atlanta. Yan Gomes gave Chicago a one-run lead with an RBI single in the top of the ninth, but Marcell Ozuna hit a home run in the next half-inning to send the game to extras. Ian Happ drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth, but the Cubs gave up two runs in the bottom of the frame. Mike Tauchman and Happ both homered in the losing effort, while Daniel Palencia was charged with his third loss in relief. The Cubs are now tied with the Marlins for the final NL Wild Card spot at 82-and-76. Marcus Stroman starts for Chicago against Atlanta tonight.
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>>Three Bears Miss Practice With Injuries
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears’ secondary is hampered by injuries. Three defensive backs missed practice with injuries yesterday. Josh Blackwell and Jaylon Johnson are both dealing with hamstring injuries, while Eddie Jackson has a setback with his foot. Tyrique Stevenson also showed up on the injury report with an illness, but he was a full participant at practice. The Bears host the Broncos on Sunday.
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>>Blackhawks Host Blues
(Chicago, IL) — The Chicago Blackhawks open up preseason play with a game against the St. Louis Blues at United Center tonight. The Blackhawks are trying to bounce back after finishing with the worst record in the Central Division last season. Fans will get to see number-one pick Connor Bedard suit up with the team for the first time in a game.