All Flood Warnings have been lifted on the Illinois and Vermillion Rivers. Despite the rivers continuing to be near bank full, all gauge readings – at Ottawa, LaSalle, and Leonore – show levels below flood stage as of early Wednesday.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Water Survey are reminding private well-owners in the state to properly maintain their wells and test them for potential contaminants. Contamination is caused by improper construction, poor maintenance, or releases of contaminants into the well’s aquifer. Officials say testing for contaminants is a simple and effective way to ensure that private wells are safe and don’t pose a health risk.
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DePaul University students are holding their own Pro-Palestinian protest. Students launched an encampment yesterday in the quad of the university’s Lincoln Park campus. They are joining campuses across the country showing support for the people of Gaza and demanding their schools cut financial ties with Israel. Similar demonstrations have taken place at Northwestern and the University of Chicago.
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The Bears will meet with Governor Pritzker today to discuss their plan to build a new stadium along Chicago’s lakefront. The governor has said he remains skeptical about the four-point-six-billion-dollar proposal, adding that he’s not sure a new stadium is among the highest priorities for taxpayers. The Bears are asking the state to spend more than one billion dollars on the project.
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Governor Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker are donating a key Civil War document to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. Beginning today, the museum will display President Lincoln’s order to begin the process of blockading Southern ports. That document from 1861 is Lincoln’s first direct military action against slave states attempting to secede. It will be on display until February 2025.
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Galesburg High School’s head football coach faces domestic battery charges. Police say officers responded on April 23rd to Derrek Blackwell’s home after receiving a report of domestic physical violence. The victim told police that Blackwell pushed them down. Officers say they were able to observe injuries to the victim’s face and knee. Blackwell denied the allegations but was placed under arrest.