Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is being found guilty on ten counts in his corruption trial. The federal jury reached a partial verdict on 17 counts. They could not reach a consensus on 12 others, with a mistrial being declared for those counts. The jury did not reach a verdict on any of the counts against co-defendant Michael McClain. Madigan faced 23 counts of racketeering, conspiracy, bribery, fraud, and attempted extortion. The jury deliberated for eleven days before reaching the partial verdict. Leaders in Illinois are reacting to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s guilty verdict. Governor Pritzker released a statement saying the Madigan verdict sends an important message that if someone chooses corruption, they will be found out and punished. Current State House Speaker Chris Welch said the verdict left him with great appreciation and respect for the legal system. Illinois Republican party chair Kathy Salvi responded by blasting the Democratic Party, accusing every Democrat in Illinois of benefiting from Madigan’s corruption in some way.
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JOANN Inc. has filed a court motion to close approximately 500 stores nationwide as part of its ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, including its location at Peru Mall—one of the shopping center’s last remaining anchor stores. The fabric retailer initially announced its bankruptcy filing in March 2024 and later confirmed voluntary proceedings to facilitate a sale, though stores and its website remained operational at the time. A company spokesperson acknowledged the difficult decision, citing the impact on employees, customers, and communities. A full list of affected stores is available online, No word yet on when the store will close permanently. This is now the second major retail chain to leave the Illinois Valley, as Big Lots will also close its store.
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A La Salle County grand jury has indicted 45-year-old Jeffrey Peterson of Marseilles on an aggravated arson charge, alleging he deliberately set fire to a home on Oakley Street the morning of January 30th while knowing his brother was in the basement. Authorities say the brother managed to escape with police assistance. Peterson, who reportedly lived at the residence he’s accused of igniting, remains in the La Salle County Jail after being denied pretrial release and is scheduled to appear in court on February 20th.
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A Marseilles man accused of brutally killing his father on Father’s Day weekend appeared in an Ottawa courtroom Tuesday, with no agreements reached or motions pending. Logan Petre, 22, is set for a final pretrial hearing next Thursday, with his first-degree murder trial expected to begin the following week. Prosecutors allege Petre repeatedly struck and strangled his 54-year-old father, Leo Petre, at their Opal Street home last year, later expressing a wish that his father had died more slowly. While in La Salle County Jail, he also faced an aggravated battery charge for allegedly attacking another inmate.
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Schultz Crematory and Funeral Services plans to open at the former McGrath’s Seafood site in Northpoint Plaza, with the Streator Plan Commission recently recommending its approval after assessing factors related to public health, safety, and potential impacts on the community. The commission concluded that the business would not negatively affect the area’s welfare, property values, or future development. There were initial concerns regarding its impact on public events like Streator Fest, the petitioners committed to adjusting their hours during such gatherings. The facility will also include a monument company and a cemetery office, leaving Schultz’s previous location at 115 S. Shabbona St. The recommendation will go to the Streator City Council for final approval on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Streator City Hall.
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The Streator Plan Commission has approved a $15,000 facade grant for Michael Recycling & Disposal at 506 E. Hickory St. Owner Tony Michael presented plans for upgrades, including new commercial windows, a storefront entry door, awnings, and gooseneck lights, along with removing broken handrails and pouring new concrete steps. The total project cost is estimated at $18,583, with the grant covering 80% and Michael providing a 20% match of $3,716. The commission has recommended the proposal to the Streator City Council, which will consider final approval at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19th. If approved, renovations are expected to be completed by May.
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The Canal Corridor Association is urgently seeking financial support as its federal funding from the National Park Service has been suspended indefinitely. For over three months, the nonprofit, which maintains the I&M Canal, its trail, and a replica canal boat, has gone without these critical funds. President Ana Koval emphasizes the importance of sustaining the canal as a key part of the region’s tourism economy and urges supporters to help preserve the decades of investment in canal towns and small businesses that depend on it.
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A federal appeals court in New York is upholding music star R. Kelly’s 30-year prison sentence on convictions for racketeering and sex trafficking. The singer was convicted in 2021 by a Brooklyn jury and sentenced in June 2022. Kelly’s lawyer attempted to reverse his convictions or win him a new trial. The appeals court rejected the motion today. Kelly is also serving a 20-year sentence from a separate case after being convicted in Chicago in 2022. A federal appeals court in Chicago declined to hear an appeal from the entertainer in that case.
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More alleged victims of sexual abuse at Cook County and State of Illinois youth detention centers are coming forward. A lawsuit was recently filed on behalf of 133 former male and female youth detainees. That brings the count of adult plaintiffs to 800. Attorneys say the abuse happened between 1996 and 2023 in youth detention facilities across the state. Some former detainees say it took them years to come forward because they were made to believe that their voices don’t count.
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A top senator is accusing President Trump’s FBI nominee of covertly directing a wave of firings at the department. Richard Durbin of Illinois is the leading Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee and claimed on Tuesday that “highly credible” sources are suggesting FBI nominee Kash Patel was personally involved in orchestrating a recent purge of career officials at the bureau. Durbin says if the allegations are true, then the acting director of the Justice Department fired career civil servants “at the behest of a private citizen.” The committee is expected to vote Thursday on whether to send Patel’s nomination to the Senate floor.
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Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a chocolate factory in Kankakee County. Fire crews responded to the blaze Tuesday night at the Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation in Momence. Dozens of employees were working at the time. No injuries were reported, but the flames caused at least 10 million dollars worth of damages.
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No one was hurt after a United flight departing was forced to return to O’Hare Airport. The airline says a plane traveling from Chicago to Los Cabos yesterday returned shortly after it departed due to an issue with the cockpit windshield. The flight landed safely and passengers de-boarded. The exact issue with the windshield hasn’t been released.
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A 37-year-old Peru woman, Brittany G. Muller, was cited for retail theft of less than $20 following an investigation at Casey’s General Store, located at 1100 Shooting Park Road in Peru, IL. Muller, a resident of 1810 Pike Street, was taken into custody on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. and charged with retail theft under local ordinance.
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A 16-year-old female from Utica, IL, was cited for multiple traffic violations after being stopped for speeding more than 35 mph over the limit at the intersection of N 2551st Road and IL Route 251 in Peru. The juvenile, who holds a graduated license, was charged with excessive speeding and related license violations.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of US Rt-52 & E 1550th RD (Earl TWP). Matthew Kelly (35) of Earlville was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and was released from the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of US Rt-34 & E 1629th RD (Earl TWP). Paul Jungels (52) of Earlville was cited for speeding 79 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and was released from the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of US Rt-34 & E 17th RD (Earl TWP). Stephanie Baker (33) of Sheridan was cited for speeding 75 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and was released from the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of E 22nd RD & N 42nd RD (Serena TWP). Katlyn Leannah (34) of Marseilles was arrested for DUI Alcohol. She was transported to the LASCO Jail and subsequently released with an NTA.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of US Rt-34 & E 17th RD (Earl TWP). Driver (17) of Mendota was cited for speeding 73 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and was released from the scene.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
A chance of flurries before 7 am. Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 19. Wind chill values as low as -2. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 4. Wind chill values as low as -5. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
David Verona, 62, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, February 9th, at his home. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7:00 PM today at the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 14th, at St. Patrick’s Church, Ottawa. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery.
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Kevin Michael Leiteritz, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, January 31st, at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ottawa. A celebration of life will be held on February 15th, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the American Legion in Ottawa. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
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Joan Leona Kofoid, 89, of Marseilles, passed away Friday, February 7th, at OSF Healthcare Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday at the Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Burial will be in St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Leonore at a later date.
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John Kelly, 67, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, February 8th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, surrounded by his family and dear friend Gina Crain. A Graveside service will take place at St. Columba Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Ruth Lozano, 83, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, February 9th, at Pleasant View Lutheran Nursing Home in Ottawa. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us on Saturday for High School Boys Basketball as your Marquette Crusaders travel to take on Hinkley-Big Rock at 12:30 pm. Andrew Evola will be on the call for the game.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox officially started their 2025 season yesterday. Pitchers and catchers had their first Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch. The Southsiders are looking to bounce back from a 2024 season that saw them finish with the worst record in modern MLB history. Chicago will have its first full-team workout on Monday.
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The Chicago Cubs were unable to land one of their top free-agent targets. Third baseman Alex Bregman signed a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox yesterday.
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The Chicago Bulls have lost to the Detroit Pistons for a second straight night. The Bulls fell 128-110 at United Center yesterday. Chicago gave up at least 30 points in each quarter, and the team trailed by as many as 21 points. Ayo Dosunmu had 23 points in the losing effort, and Nikola Vucevic added 21 points and 13 rebounds. The Bulls are in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 22-and-33. Chicago’s next game is against New York next Thursday.
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The Chicago Blackhawks are still off for the Four Nations Face-Off break. The Blackhawks don’t have any players in the tournament. Chicago’s next game is against Columbus on February 22nd.
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Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill designed to lure the Bears to their state. A measure that would establish a Northwest Indiana professional sports development commission advanced through committee Tuesday. The commission would study plans to attract one or more professional sports franchises. The Bears are currently in the process of developing a new stadium plan.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish came through in the clutch during a 97-94 double-overtime win against Boston College at Conte Forum. The Irish trailed by one with under 20 seconds left in the game when Kebba Njie made a driving lay-up. Notre Dame got a stop on the defensive end and Markus Burton made a pair of free throws to ice the game. Burton poured in 32 points in the victory, while Tae Davis added 20. Notre Dame is tied for 11th place in the ACC with a 5-and-8 conference record and an 11-and-13 mark overall. The Irish host Louisville on Sunday.
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In college hoops action yesterday, Bradley beat Southern Illinois 78-64, Illinois State lost to Drake 84-77, and Valparaiso took down Belmont 101-86. Tonight, Chicago State is at Fairleigh Dickinson. Meanwhile, Illinois returns to action with a game against number-11 Michigan State on Saturday, while Northwestern hosts Nebraska on Sunday.