Trident Agents, in collaboration with the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant last week at 1010 N. Bloomington St. in Streator. A search uncovered a firearm, ammunition, and a high-capacity magazine. Emmit J. Williams, aged 31 and residing at the aforementioned address, was apprehended. Williams faces charges of being an Armed Habitual Criminal, a class X felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a felon, a class 2 felony. Following his arrest, Williams was transported to the LaSalle County Jail pending a detention hearing. Trident received assistance in the operation from the US Marshall Great Lakes Task Force and the LaSalle County State Attorney’s Office.
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An unidentified 16-year-old died Thursday night in a single-vehicle accident on Illinois 251 about a mile north of the U.S. 52 junction on Mendota’s far north side. LaSalle County Sheriff Adam Diss says the accident was reported at 7:55 p.m. Thursday and the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. Initial reports from dispatch suggested the vehicle veered off the road into trees, with later speculation indicating the driver might have been ejected, although this remained unconfirmed by the Sheriff. Responding to the scene were Mendota and State Police, alongside an Accident Reconstructionist and EMS teams from Mendota and Troy Grove.
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Shortly before 7:30 Friday morning, Streator Police, Fire, and Ambulance services responded to a call concerning a woman being struck while crossing the street at Brumbach and Park Streets. The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, remained conscious as emergency responders assessed her condition and swiftly transported her to OSF for medical attention.
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A wood-carved eagle sculpture, symbolizing resilience, now graces Utica’s Tornado Memorial, unveiled on the 20th anniversary of the 2004 tornado. About 100 people gathered at Mill and Church streets on a chilly Saturday night to honor the memory. Reflecting on the devastation of the EF-3 tornado, Mayor Dave Stewart shared his memories, while former Fire Chief Dave Edgcomb highlighted Utica’s rebuilding efforts. Pastor Lloyd Johnson read the names of the eight individuals who lost their lives in the Milestone Bar, commemorated by the memorial. The La Salle County Historical Society has curated a display showcasing media accounts and more, available for viewing at their Heritage Center until month’s end.
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Bundled up against unseasonably cold temperatures reaching just 46 degrees on Saturday, dozens of volunteers gathered in La Salle to participate in the eighth annual Earth Day Community Cleanup event organized by the Perfectly Flawed Foundation. Despite the chilly weather, their dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement shone through as they worked to clean and care for Mother Earth. The Perfectly Flawed Foundation, known for its commitment to harm reduction and recovery support in North Central Illinois, hosts such events periodically, fostering family involvement to bolster its mission of overdose prevention, peer support, education, service navigation, and treatment referral.
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Prosecutors are set to appeal to a judge once more today to seek the detainment of Nathan P. Sweeney, a DeKalb man accused of driving under the influence of drugs and causing a fatal crash in March that claimed the life of DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy Christina Musil. Scott Schwertley from the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office intends to reference a relevant McHenry County case to bolster his argument for holding the 44-year-old Sweeney in Ogle County Jail during the pending criminal proceedings. Despite being initially held in Ogle County until his release on April 8, Sweeney faces a motion filed by Schwertley on Monday urging the judge to reconsider detaining him. Schwertley emphasized the severity of the tragedy and the inherent danger posed by Sweeney, asserting that court-ordered drug tests would not alleviate the risk. Sweeney faces charges including three counts of DUI of drugs causing death and one count of reckless homicide, all Class 2 felonies. Prosecutors maintain that Sweeney knowingly operated a Kenworth truck while under the influence of drugs, resulting in the collision with Musil’s squad car in Waterman on March 28. Musil, a 35-year-old mother of three and military veteran, was on duty and parked on the roadside when the accident occurred, succumbing to her injuries in the early hours of March 29.
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Larry Smith has been reelected for a third term as La Salle County Republican Party chairman, with the party emphasizing its commitment to conservative values and Republican principles under his leadership. Smith expressed gratitude for the continued support and pledged to lead the party to further success. The party’s focus for the upcoming Nov. 5 General Election includes backing Liz Bishop for the 76th State Representative District and supporting
James Marter in the 14th Congressional District. Additionally, the party announced its new Executive Board, with Larry Langston as vice chairman, Beth Findley Smith as second vice chairwoman, Todd Volker as secretary, Jim Bailey as treasurer, Charlie Durdan as parliamentarian, and Dennis Corbin as sergeant at arms.
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Melissa Tomaska Olivero, a local law professional, is being honored by the Illinois State Bar Association with its Civic Education Award, recognizing her unwavering commitment to educating the public about the judicial process and the pivotal role of attorneys. Serving as an Administrative Law Judge at the National Labor Relations Board since 2013, Olivero extends her expertise beyond the courtroom, dedicating her spare time to coaching the LP Mock Trial team and serving as a Scout Master. A graduate of Northern Illinois University with a law degree, Olivero’s legal journey includes stints as an Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney in the late 90s and again from 2001 to 2005. Married to Peru attorney Doug Olivero, she balances her professional achievements with a fulfilling family life, raising two sons.
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Last month, Illinois maintained a steady unemployment rate of 4.8 percent, as reported by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates a rise of 12,700 payroll jobs. Sectors witnessing significant growth include government, leisure and hospitality, and trade, transportation, and utilities, while financial activities and mining experienced declines. Deputy Governor Andy Manar anticipates continued job market and economic growth across industries. The IDES remains dedicated to facilitating connections between job seekers and employers. Although unemployment figures have increased since last year, the state’s total non-farm payrolls increased by 0.4 percent in 2024, compared to a 1.9 percent national increase. The national unemployment rate in March was 3.8 percent, one percent lower than Illinois’, dropping by 0.1 percent from the previous month. Data is accurate as of April 12th and subject to updates.
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The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation announces the U.S. Department of the Interior’s decision to place sections of Shab-eh-nay Reservation lands into trust for the nation, marking the return of federal recognition to Illinois as home to a Native American Tribal Nation. This action addresses the historical injustice stemming from the illegal auction of 1,280 acres during Chief Shab-eh-nay’s absence in the 1800s. While headquartered in Kansas, the nation awaits details on land usage, ensuring existing homeowners retain title without impact. Prairie Band Chairman Joseph Rupnick emphasizes their long-standing pursuit of rightful recognition, echoed by 14th District Democratic Congresswoman Lauren Underwood’s collaborative efforts to rectify this historic injustice.
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70th District State Representative Jeff Keicher’s bill, HB 5465, aimed at aiding child trafficking victims, received unanimous approval in the state House. The legislation streamlines the process for juvenile victims to access resources for healing and recovering from their trauma. The Sycamore Republican emphasized its significance, especially in light of his connection to the issue, having lost a family member due to insufficient support. Grateful for bipartisan backing, Keicher underscored the importance of community vigilance and urged reporting suspicions to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
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On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a decision with potential implications for the grain markets come Monday. As detailed in a release from the Illinois Farm Bureau, the EPA will permit the sale of E-15 throughout the summer, citing exceptional fuel supply circumstances across the nation. E-15, comprised of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, stands to gain traction in the market. State Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan hailed the move as a ‘win-win’ for Illinois farmers, noting their capacity to supply the state’s thirteen ethanol plants with enough corn to yield 1.84 billion gallons of ethanol. Duncan emphasized the potential benefits for rural, suburban, and urban residents alike with year-round access to E-15. Additionally, the IFB conveyed gratitude for bipartisan efforts by Illinois lawmakers, who recently penned letters urging the waiver’s approval.
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Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says Democrats would be throwing away their votes if they supported someone other than President Biden in the presidential election. During an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Pritzker argued Democrats must vote for Biden if they want to make sure former President Trump doesn’t get back in the White House. This comes amid growing concern independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could end up changing the outcome of November’s election. Kennedy recently qualified to appear on the ballot in the battleground state of Michigan