The Illinois Department of Public Health is expanding the list of high-risk ZIP codes that require testing for lead exposure in children. Nearly 150 new zip codes have been added to the list this year, bringing the total of high-risk ZIP codes to almost 1,200. Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code is to be tested automatically at 12 and 24 months. The newly added ZIP codes represent parts of 60 Illinois counties, including LaSalle.
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The Putnam County Public Library District is partnering with the Ravinia Festival to offer free tickets to the community for the 2024 Words & Music Program. The tickets grant free lawn admission to fifteen concerts from July through September. Additionally, the tickets grant free train fare on the Metra Union Pacific North Line to Ravinia. The tickets are limited and will be available on a first-come, first serve. Ravinia is a not-for-profit music festival that presents performances by internationally known artists. Words & Music Program tickets are only valid on the date printed, may only be used on the evening of the performance, may not be exchanged, and cannot be sold. The Granville Branch of the Putnam County Public Library is located at 214 S. McCoy Street, Granville. For more information on this opportunity, please call the Granville Branch at 815-339-2038.
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Streator Police arrested an 18-year-old woman on a battery charge yesterday. Cheridee A. Tunget of Streator was later cited and released with a notice to appear in LaSalle County court.
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Governor Pritzker will be in Washington DC today. The governor is set to meet with President Biden and other Democratic Governors at the White House. Multiple reports say the meeting was scheduled by a group of Democratic Governors to discuss their concerns about President Biden following his poor debate performance last week.
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20-year-old Alan L. Lugo was arrested yesterday by Streator Police for trespassing, disorderly conduct, and aggravated assault. Lugo was cited and released with a notice to appear in LaSalle County court.
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The Supreme Court is declining to review a challenge to Illinois’ assault weapons ban. The high court decided yesterday to allow the law to stand as cases challenging its constitutionality move through the lower courts. Governor Pritzker signed the law in response to the deadly Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park in 2022. The Supreme Court could take up the case in the future.
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Illinois is helping some residents dealing with medical debt. Governor Pritzker signed two pieces of legislation yesterday that aim to reduce the negative impact of medical debt on Illinoisans. The medical debt forgiveness bill is designed to erase nearly $1 billion of medical debt in collections for Illinois residents. The other measure makes medical debt ineligible to be included on a credit report.
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Shaboozey will headline the Illinois State Fair Grandstand later this summer. The rising star and crossover artist will be performing on Aug. 18. Shaboozey is carving his lane in the alternative country and hip-hop space. Other State Fair acts include Lil Wayne, Keith Urban, Motley Crue, the Jonas Brothers, the Smashing Pumpkins and Miranda Lambert. The 2024 Illinois State Fair runs from Aug. 8 to the 18 in Springfield.
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the state fire marshal are urging the public to leave fireworks displays to trained professionals. The National Fire Protection Association says fireworks started more than 12,000 fires in 2021. Those fires caused 29 injuries and $59 million in direct property damage.
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O’Hare and Midway airports are poised for a busy Fourth of July travel weekend. Chicago’s airports expect more than 1.75 million travelers between today and next Monday based on projections from airline carriers. Compared to last year, both airports will see a more than 10% increase in passengers.
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Angel Reese will play in this year’s WNBA All-Star Game. The Chicago Sky forward is joining fellow rookie sensation and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark on Team WNBA. The squad will take on the U.S. women’s national team in Phoenix on July 20.
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers before 8 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 70. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
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OBITUARIES:
Gary English, 66, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, July 1, at his home surrounded by his loving family. A visitation for Gary English will be held on Friday, July 5 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Russell James Martin of Bradenton, Florida passed away Friday, June 14, at 87. A visitation for Russell James Martin will be held on Friday, July 5, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial for Russell James Martin will be at 10 a.m., and burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Seneca.
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Joseph William “Joe” Hoffman, 84, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, June 30, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Visitation for Joseph William “Joe” Hoffman will be from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph William “Joe” Hoffman will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa. Burial for Joseph William “Joe” Hoffman will be at Oakwood Memorial Park with Military Honors by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard.
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SPORTS:
White Sox Get Walked Off By Cleveland
The Chicago White Sox lost to the Cleveland Guardians 7-6 at Progressive Field. Chicago scored three runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at six, but Bo Naylor drove in the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly that Luis Robert Jr. didn’t even attempt to throw back toward the diamond after making the catch. Robert had a home run and four RBI in the losing effort, while Andrew Vaughn also went deep. Michael Kopech was charged with his seventh loss in relief. Sox takes on the Guardians tonight with a 5 p.m. pre-game and a 5:40 p.m. first pitch.
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Cubs Fall Short Against Phillies
The Chicago Cubs weren’t able to complete a ninth-inning comeback bid during a 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field. The Cubs trailed by five entering the bottom of the ninth before getting within two thanks to a three-run home run from Seiya Suzuki. However, the next three Chicago batters were retired to end the game. Hayden Wesneski was charged with his fifth loss after allowing five runs on five hits in five innings. The Northsiders are in last place in the NL Central at 39-and-47. Shota Imanaga starts for Chicago against Philadelphia tonight.
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Sky Take Down Dream
The Chicago Sky got back in the win column with an 85-77 win over the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center. Chicago led by just one with under two minutes left in regulation before Chennedy Carter hit a floater, a finger roll, and a jumper on back-to-back-to-back possessions. Carter finished with 26 points in the victory, while Angel Reese earned her 11th straight double-double with 12 points and 19 rebounds. The Sky are tied for seventh place in the WNBA at 7-and-11. They visit the Storm on Friday.
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Blackhawks Reveal Schedule
The 2024-25 Chicago Blackhawks hockey season is right around the corner. The team revealed the regular season schedule for next season yesterday. The Hawks begin the year at Utah on October 8th, and they have a four-game road trip to start the season. Chicago’s home opener is on Oct. 17 against San Jose. The team wraps up the year against Ottawa on the road on April 15.