Former Ottawa Mayor Robert Eschbach has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award for his more than two decades of visionary, practical, and effective leadership as mayor and his continuing work to make his community strong, vibrant, and optimistic. Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar announced Eschbach’s selection Tuesday evening at the annual dinner of the Edgar Fellows Program in Champaign. The award is presented annually to an elected state or local government official in Illinois who has demonstrated a consistent commitment to public service characterized by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility, and bipartisanship. Edgar highlighted Eschbach’s influence as a unifying force in his community, contributing to its revitalization and growth during his tenure as mayor of Ottawa from 1999 to 2019. In addition to his role as Mayor, he was a founding member of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation and serves on several boards including Landmarks Illinois, the Ottawa Reddick Mansion Association, The Canal Connector organization, Valley Immigrant Advocates, Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, and Ottawa Center for the Arts.
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Ottawa is moving forward with plans to introduce convenient electric car charging options in the city. Under the approved agreement with Universal EV LLC, two new charging stations will be set up, thanks to funding from a state grant. One of these stations will be positioned near Canal Street and Woodward Memorial Drive, providing easy access for visitors to the Illinois Valley Community College Ottawa Center. The second station will be situated near the former cab stand on Columbus Street, offering a charging station near Washington Square Park. Also last night, the Ottawa City Council authorized a consultant, SRF Consulting Group of Chicago, to update the North Central Area Transit’s strategic plan with a grant of $293,000. The update is needed due to the agency’s rapid growth and increasing service demands. Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut confirmed the agreement with the consulting group to address these challenges and make necessary plan adjustments.
Mayor Hasty will be on the morning show today to discuss this and more in the 9 am hour.
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The La Salle County Coroner’s Office reported that 86-year-old Betty Gillette of Ottawa died at the scene of the two-vehicle accident on Illinois 251 and North 17th Road Monday afternoon. The crash occurred when Gillette’s driver failed to stop at a stop sign, colliding with another vehicle on 251. Gillette’s driver was airlifted to a Peoria hospital, while the other driver was taken to a local hospital by ambulance. Both drivers were women, and an autopsy on Gillette was scheduled for Tuesday. No other names have been released.
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Tuesday afternoon, emergency responders were called to assist a 13-year-old boy who had fallen off an electric bike near Utica’s canal path. The incident resulted in the brake pedal becoming lodged in his upper leg. Utica firefighters promptly arrived at the scene and requested the dispatch of a medical helicopter using Life Flight services. Although a landing zone was established nearby, the challenging terrain led the flight crew to recommend transporting the boy to the airport in Peru for transfer by a medical helicopter.
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The Illinois State Police and Illinois Conservation Police responded to a report of two vehicles being broken into at the St. Louis Canyon parking area in Starved Rock State Park along Illinois 178. Valuables were stolen from one vehicle, and the other had its back window broken before the thief or thieves drove off. Investigators are looking for a black SUV believed to be involved in the incident. More information will be made available soon from ISP.
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State officials are gearing up for the start of the 2024 Illinois State Fair tomorrow. The fair runs from August 8th to the 18th in Springfield. Governor Pritzker will be unveiling the 2024 Illinois State Fair Butter Cow today at the fairgrounds. Organizers announced the theme and discount days this year. County Fairs and Horse Racing Day will start it all off tomorrow.
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Illinois is expanding protections for veterans seeking state services. Governor Pritzker signed the Veteran’s Consumer Fraud Bill into law. The legislation broadens the definition of “veteran or military benefits services” to include any consultation services that would assist in obtaining, changing, or appealing benefits decisions. The new legislation goes into effect January 1st, 2025.
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Illinois is reaching an agreement to secure a new professional licensing system for individuals whose careers require a license to work in Illinois. The state will partner with NIC Licensing Solutions to implement the new online system. The new licensing system will feature a user-friendly interface with improved communications and create a streamlined review of license applications and fees.
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Several Western Illinois University employees are being laid off. The WIU board of trustees voted yesterday to approve a resolution that authorizes staff reduction. The cuts come after Interim President Kristi Mindrup said the university needed to reduce spending by 20 million dollars in order to help balance its budget. Officials cite declining enrollment as one of the biggest factors contributing to WIU’s financial instability.
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Illinois is working to help former inmates gain access to ID cards. Governor Pritzker signed an amendment to the Illinois Identification Card Act designed to simplify the process of obtaining an ID for those leaving Department of Corrections custody. The simplified process aims to help former inmates so they can re-enter post-correctional life and avoid recidivism.
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44-year-old Terrence Chambers has been sentenced to 2 years in prison after pleading guilty in Livingston County Court to traveling to meet a minor and indecent solicitation of a child. Upon his release on parole next year, Chambers will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years. He was arrested by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office this past April.
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Schaumburg police are investigating after more than $ 1 million dollars worth of high-end jewelry was stolen from a store inside Woodfield Mall last week. Authorities say at least six people entered Marquise Jewelers last Thursday by cutting through drywall from a vacant unit next door. The owners discovered that the merchandise was stolen the following day.
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Governor Pritzker is “disappointed” with the answers Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell has given for why the deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey was hired. The governor doesn’t understand how the sheriff ended up hiring former Sangamon County sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson without knowing his background. Records show the Sangamon County sheriff’s office was the sixth Illinois police department Grayson had worked for in less than four years. In an interview last week with ABC News, Campbell called Grayson’s career path a “plus” and noted that he didn’t have any use of force complaints filed against him. Grayson faces three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting.
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 79. East-northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. East-northeast wind around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Paul Anthony Forino, 78, of Ottawa, passed away at 6:15 PM on August 2nd. The visitation will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home on Thursday, August 8th from 4-7 PM. The rosary will be recited at 6:45 PM. The funeral service will be held at the Ottawa Funeral Home the following day on Friday, August 9th at 10:00 AM. There will also be a luncheon held at the Knights of Columbus at 11:30 AM following the funeral service.
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Robert “Bob” Edward Smith, 91 of Peru. Passed away peacefully on July 31st, in his home. Visitation will be 10 AM-12 PM on Friday, August 9th, in the Ptak Funeral Home with service to follow. The burial will be at 3 PM Friday, August 9th, at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Evelyn Jakubek Zabawa, formerly of Ottawa, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 23rd. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 10th, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 10th, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will follow at Ottawa Cemetery.
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SPORTS:
The White Sox have finally ended their 21-game losing streak. Andrew Benintendi belted a two-run homer as Chicago cruised past the A’s 5-1 in Oakland. **White Sox outfielder Anthony Benintendi says they aren’t too thrilled after just one win. The 21-game skid matched the American League record set by the 1988 Orioles. Jonathan Cannon tossed six innings of one-run ball as he improved to 2-and-5 with the victory. **White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon on finally ending their 21-game skid. **White Sox manager Pedro Grifol says he’s proud of his team for not quitting and finally ending the skid. Chicago remains in last place in the AL Central at 28-and-88. Davis Martin starts for the White Sox against Oakland this afternoon. The Sox take on the A’s once more today with a 2 pm pre-game and a 2:37 first pitch.
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The Chicago Cubs got off to a fast start during a 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins at Wrigley Field. Isaac Paredes hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first and the Cubs led the rest of the way. Paredes finished the game with four RBI, and Shota Imanaga earned his ninth win after striking out ten and allowing two runs on two hits in seven innings. The Northsiders have won two of three, but they remain in last place in the NL Central at 56-and-60. Javier Assad starts for the Cubs against Minnesota this afternoon.
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