Work continues on the southside Ottawa storm and sewer separation project with street patching through the end of this week on the 100 block of East Van Buren, the 400 block of West Van Buren, the 300 and 400 blocks of Houston, the 400 block of Cornell, and the 400 block of Chambers. Beginning Friday, May 3rd, work will begin in the 500 block of Chambers, the intersection of College and Adams, and the 200 block of College Avenue. These areas will be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each workday and will be open to traffic in the evening and on weekends. The project is expected to take about three weeks to complete.
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Grand Ridge Police, in a Facebook post, is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of ongoing criminal damage to property at Village Park. Sometime between 4/20/24 and 4/30/24, multiple pieces of playground equipment and items at the picnic shelter were damaged. If you live in the area of Village Park and have security cameras, or if you can provide any information to assist with this investigation, please contact GRPD at (815)257-0989. As always, If you see something, say something. Do not hesitate to report any suspicious activity to GRPD or LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office.
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Illinois Senate Deputy Republican Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) has filed Senate Resolution 956 in response to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ consideration of renaming Starved Rock State Park. Rezin emphasizes the significance of the park’s current name to the local community’s identity and economy, expressing concerns that a name change could cause more harm than good. The resolution advocates for preserving the park’s historic name, encouraging an open dialogue with stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, to find ways to honor the park’s heritage while respecting diverse perspectives. Filed on April 30, the resolution awaits assignment in the Illinois Senate.
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Illinois House Democrats Wednesday passed legislation out of the House which Republicans say was filed at the last minute, completely lacking in transparency, smacking of self-serving political corruption, and allowing no way for the states constituents to weigh in on the proposals. An amendment was filed on Senate Bill 2412 Wednesday morning and it was assigned to the House Executive Committee. A hearing was held shortly thereafter and on Democrat votes, it passed out of committee. Two hours later, the bill was brought forth for a vote on the House floor. The bill passed with 67 Democrat votes. House Republicans all voted present as a protest vote. The measure would put three questions on the statewide ballot. Illinois currently limits the number of questions that can appear on a statewide ballot to three. That means any other questions advocates would like to see on the ballot, have been squeezed out by today’s vote.
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Governor Pritzker’s office is still not in favor of the Bears’ plan to build a new stadium along Chicago’s lakefront. After meeting with team executives yesterday to discuss the four-point-seven-billion-dollar proposal, top Pritzker aides called the plan a “non-starter.” The governor’s office says Pritzker would need to see “a demonstrable and tangible benefit to the taxpayers of Illinois” to subsidize a brand new stadium for a privately owned sports team. The Bears are asking the state to spend more than one billion dollars on the project.
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is confirming that Chronic wasting disease has been detected in Ford County. CWD was confirmed through diagnostic testing in Ford County in March from a suspect deer exhibiting symptoms consistent with CWD infection. The discovery expands the geographic presence of the infection in free-ranging deer populations in northern Illinois. Health officials are reporting the first bird to test positive for West Nile virus in Illinois in 2024 in Douglas County. The specimen was collected by Douglas County Health Department staff on April 2nd in Villa Grove. The early report of the first bird follows a mild winter and spring.
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United Way of Eastern LaSalle County is launching a community survey to gather insights to guide future initiatives and investments in the service area. The survey will serve as a vital tool in shaping the organization’s strategies and ensuring resources are allocated effectively to make a meaningful impact. Sally Honiotes, Executive Director at United Way of Eastern LaSalle County, says the survey is an opportunity for residents to share their perspectives, concerns, and hopes for the future. The survey seeks to gather feedback from a diverse cross-section of residents, ensuring that the voices of all community members are heard and valued. Longtime residents as well as newcomers are encouraged to participate. The survey is online at unitedwayelc.org and will be open until July 1, 2024. All responses will be kept confidential, and the combined input will be used to inform the organization’s future priorities and initiatives. Respondents including contact information are entered into a $50 gift card drawing to be held on July 2.
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Throughout May, Governor Pritzker, the Illinois State Police (ISP), and law enforcement agencies across the state will celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Illinois. Governor Pritzker proclaimed May as Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Illinois to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, honor those who have served and continue to serve, and offer support to fellow officers and their loved ones. It’s also an opportunity for citizens to show their appreciation to the men and women who keep our communities safe while dealing with the inherent dangers of police work. Law enforcement has been regularly ranked as one of the 10 most dangerous occupations in the United States, specifically for police and correctional officers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2021, 159 law enforcement officers died on the job, of which approximately 40% were caused by assaults/homicides, and 40% were caused in transportation incidents. ISP will participate in the Illinois Police Officers Memorial Ceremony today as troopers from across the state travel to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to participate in ceremonies focused on memorializing law enforcement officers.
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Peru Police issued 10 citations for hands-free law violations during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month enforcement campaign. Peru Police joined forces with the Illinois State Police, local law enforcement and highway safety partners for this enforcement effort. The Illinois distracted driving campaign was funded with federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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The man wanted in the deadly shooting of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca last month is in custody after he was arrested in west suburban Glendale Heights. Xavier Tate Junior was taken into custody last night by CPD officers and members of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. Reports say Tate was arrested with handcuffs that belonged to Huesca, who was shot and killed on April 21st while heading home from work. A Cook County judge issued an arrest warrant last week charging Tate with murder.
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The former Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of an Illinois hospital is going to federal prison for illegally pocketing more than 620-thousand dollars in hospital funds. Robert Spadoni was sentenced to a year and a half behind bars after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to a mail fraud charge. Prosecutors say Spadoni was an attorney who worked as a Vice President and COO of Rush Oak Park Hospital. He admitted that from 2013 to 2021, he orchestrated a scheme in which he approved the hospital’s payment of invoices to a vendor company that purportedly provided administrative support and compliance services. However, the vendor company had been established by Spadoni as part of the scheme. Spadoni opened a bank account for the company in a relative’s name and steered the hospital’s payments into it.
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22-year-old Riley M. Hanson of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police at East Van Buren and Catherine Streets early Thursday and cited for driving on a suspended license.
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A homeless Ottawa woman has a charge of retail theft and possession of smoking materials by a minor. Audrey Land was stopped by Ottawa Police Wednesday in the 500 block of East Norris Drive.
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41-year-old Alex Greenan of Mazon was arrested by Ottawa Police Wednesday at an apartment in the 1400 block of Dakota Drive on charges of aggravated domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of domestic battery.
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A 50-year-old Spring Valley man has a citation from Ottawa Police for driving on a revoked license. Louie Shaw was stopped Wednesday at East Norris Drive and Wake Drive.
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OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center earns top marks in the Spring 2024 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, joining a select group of hospitals recognized for outstanding patient safety by The Leapfrog Group. The “A” grade signifies the institution’s dedication to maintaining high standards in safety and quality, as emphasized by OSF HealthCare President Dawn Trompeter. Alongside two other OSF HealthCare facilities, OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center stands out for its commitment to excellence. The grades, determined by a rigorous assessment of 30 national performance measures, reflect efforts to prevent errors, accidents, and infections, making them a trusted resource for the public. For more details on hospital safety grades, including those for additional OSF HealthCare facilities, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org