After tabling a resolution two weeks ago, the Ottawa City Council voted to approve a resolution originally presented by Public Health and Safety Commissioner Tom Ganiere expressing the city’s opposition to the planned replacement by OSF Healthcare of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center as the proposal is currently written. The new hospital to be built across East Norris Drive from the current location would be a smaller facility with fewer hospital services than the current 50-year-old hospital. In his comments, Commissioner Ganiere stressed the city is not opposed to a new hospital in Ottawa, but the reduction of services and facility size is the concern. He also expressed some disappointment that, following the community reaction presented at a council workshop session last week along with the possibility of the City Council passing the resolution in opposition to the current plan, OSF officials have not responded to offers for more discussion with city leaders. The vote on the resolution was 4-0, with Commissioner of Public Property Brent Barron abstaining, citing a conflict due to a family member being employed by OSF. Barron did remark, during the comment period ahead of the vote, that he is not satisfied with the current OSF plan as it is written. Other governmental bodies, including the Marseilles City Council and the LaSalle County Board, could be following the Ottawa City Council move and voting on their resolutions regarding the OSF plan to consolidate medical services to a hub at the newly reopened former Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru, now named OSF St. Elizabeth – Peru. A June 13th public hearing requested by the grassroots social-media-driven group Citizens for Healthcare in Ottawa will feature OSF officials presenting their plan to the Illinois Hospital Facilities Services Review Board. Public testimony will also be taken at the meeting to be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Cafetorium at Central Intermediate School in Ottawa.
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After tornadic weather slammed Iowa Tuesday afternoon into the evening hours, the line of severe weather weakened considerably after crossing the Mississippi River. Tornado watches were issued for the northern fourth of Illinois but many areas, including LaSalle County, saw little, if any, severe weather, let alone any rainfall. Crews are working to restore power to several households in northern and central Illinois. ComEd and Ameren Illinois reported numerous power outages after storms hit the region last night. Dozens of trees were blown down in the City of Freeport. A dust storm is being blamed for shutting down a portion of I-55 near Bloomington. State police announced yesterday there was a dust storm on I-55 near McLean. The dust was blowing across the north and southbound lanes. As a result, I-55 was closed in both directions. State police reported a second dust storm that shut down I-74 between Le Roy and unincorporated De Witt County. The road closures come just over a year after a dust storm caused a deadly massive crash on I-55 in Montgomery County.
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Illinois lawmakers will unlikely be able to pass legislation that would eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers before the spring legislative session ends Friday. The bill hasn’t been called to a vote in either chamber. The proposed bill would phase out the subminimum wage over two years. Chicago voted to eliminate the subminimum wage last year.
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Nearly a dozen children are recovering following a crash involving three school buses on I-55 in Channahon. State police say three Reed Custer Middle School buses were traveling north as traffic slowed to a stop yesterday. One of the buses rear-ended another bus, which hit the third bus between Arsenal and Bluff roads. Eleven children were sent to the hospital with minor injuries, while the rest were returned to their school to be released to their parents. The driver of the bus that initially crashed was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.
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An 18-year-old Streator man faces a charge of battery after an arrest by Streator Police Tuesday evening in the 400 block of North Bloomington Street. Alexander L. Erschen was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A traffic stop by Peru Police around 1:30 Sunday morning at 5th and Peru Streets resulted in several charges against a LaSalle man. 31-year-old Rogelio Rojo is charged with two counts of driving under the influence, unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, no valid driver’s license, failure to signal, and improper lane usage. He was released with a court date.
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24-year-old Dylan M. Buczkowski of Peru has charges of domestic battery, interfering with the reporting of domestic battery, unlawful restraint, and aggravated domestic battery following an incident early Friday morning in the 2400 block of 3rd Street in Peru. Peru Police took Buczkowski into custody Monday afternoon. He was transported to the LaSalle County Jail to await a court date.
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Police are urging people to be safe while boating over Memorial Day weekend. Boaters should wear life jackets anytime they’re on the water and only operate boats while sober. Last year, there were 70 reportable boating accidents on Illinois waters, resulting in 12 deaths and 37 injuries.
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WEATHER:
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Breezy, with a west wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
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Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Mary Beth Barton, 72, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully at Pleasant View. There are no public services for Mary Beth Barton, Ottawa Funeral Home has handled all arrangements for the family.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Softball: Seneca Dominates, Advances to Finals
In a decisive victory, Seneca overpowered Coal City with a score of 12-0 in just five innings during the semifinals of the Class 2A Herscher Sectional. With this win, Seneca advances to the championship game scheduled for Friday at 4:30 p.m., where they will face the winner of today’s semifinal between Herscher and Beecher.
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Softball: St. Bede Semifinal Postponed
The Class 2A Peoria Notre Dame sectional semifinal featuring St. Bede was postponed to today due to the threat of severe storms across the area yesterday.
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Softball: La Salle-Peru Edges Out Streator
La Salle-Peru triumphed over Streator with a narrow 5-4 victory in the Class 3A Metamora Regional semifinal on Tuesday. La Salle-Peru, now holding a 17-16 record, will challenge top-seeded Metamora in the championship game set for 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
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Baseball: Marquette vs. North Shore Country Day
On the baseball diamond, the Marquette Crusaders are set to face off against the North Shore Country Day Raiders at 4:30 p.m. at Harvest Christian Academy. This matchup promises an exciting clash as both teams vie for supremacy.
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PRO SPORTS:
White Sox Two-Hit Toronto
The White Sox put together an impressive pitching performance in a 5-0 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto. Garrett Crochet earned the win after giving up just two hits and a walk while striking out four batters over six innings. The bullpen didn’t surrender a hit or a walk over the final three frames. Danny Mendick led the offense with a pair of hits and RBI. Corey Julks also drove in a pair of runs as Chicago remains last in the AL Central at 15-and-34. Nick Nastrini mans the rubber for the Southsiders against Toronto tonight.
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Cubs Walk-Off Against Braves
Nico Hoerner came through in extras as the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in ten innings from Wrigley Field. Hoerner drove in Cody Bellinger with a walk-off single to give Chicago the win in the bottom of the tenth. Mike Tauchman drove in two during the victory, including the game-tying run in the bottom of the sixth that ended up forcing extras. Luke Little earned his first win in relief. The Northsiders have won two of three and are in second place in the NL Central at 27-and-22. Justin Steele starts for the Cubs against the Braves tonight. In other team news, manager Craig Counsell announced that starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks will be moved to the bullpen for the foreseeable future.
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Caruso Makes All-Defensive Second Team
Alex Caruso is being recognized for his phenomenal defense during the 2023-24 NBA season. The Bulls guard was named to the All-NBA Defensive Second Team yesterday. This is the second time Caruso has been named to the defensive team after making it to the First Team last season. Caruso averaged one-point-seven steals and one block per game in 71 appearances this season.
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Bears Continue OTA’s
The Chicago Bears held their second of six OTA workouts at Halas Hall yesterday. First-round pick Caleb Williams took his reps with the starting offense, as expected. The Bears are off today before wrapping up the week with another OTA workout tomorrow.