The agenda is set for Wednesday night’s Ottawa City Council workshop session. The session will convene at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Central Intermediate School for a community meeting with representatives from OSF Healthcare. The meeting will feature remarks from the Ottawa Mayor and City Council commissioners followed by remarks from representatives of OSF Healthcare. Then, up to one hour is allotted for public comments with speakers being granted a maximum of five minutes to speak. Responses from representatives of OSF Healthcare will follow the public comment period. It is a working session, so no official action will be taken. The workshop topic is in response to the City Council tabling at last week’s regular session a resolution objecting to OSF’s plans to build a new, smaller hospital to replace the current St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.
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The conversation about a change in hospital services in Ottawa was launched by a new online, social media-driven advocacy group, Citizens for Healthcare in Ottawa. The Facebook page, also known as CHO, emerged in response to OSF Healthcare’s plans to relocate critical inpatient services like ICU and obstetrics away from Ottawa and the impact on urgent medical care accessibility. The group aims to preserve comprehensive healthcare locally, citing risks to patient safety and community well-being. Led by Ottawa resident Colleen Burns, CHO urges community support via their website, saveottawahealthcare.com, offering information, event updates, and a petition against service reductions. A public hearing by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board is set for Thursday, June 13th at 4:00 p.m. in the Central Intermediate School Cafetorium during which presentations and testimony will be taken from OSF Healthcare as well as public groups regarding support of – or opposition to – the proposed plan from OSF. The Review Board will also accept written submissions.
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Illinois lawmakers are making another effort to create a statewide office to help under-resourced public defenders. Senate President Don Harmon filed an initial bill to create an Office of Public Defense Trial Support last month, but it failed to gain any traction so the Oak Park Democrat pulled it. Another bill filed yesterday further details how the statewide system would work. The goal of the new office is to address the lack of public defense resources in rural areas.
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As summer approaches, the Peru Police Department has launched a focused enforcement initiative, urging motorists to prioritize seat belt safety. Running from now until Memorial Day weekend, the campaign emphasizes the importance of “Click It or Ticket.” Lieutenant Doug Bernabei, the department’s spokesperson, stressed the vital role of seat belts in saving lives, citing Illinois’s 93% compliance rate. Despite this, in 2022, Illinois recorded 300 fatalities due to unrestrained passengers. With national estimates indicating 91.9% seat belt usage, authorities advocate for consistent seat belt use to minimize injury or prevent fatalities in accidents. The initiative, funded by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, aims to instill the habit of buckling up for every trip, emphasizing safety day and night.
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47-year-old Jeremy D. Charbonneau of Streator has a citation from Ottawa Police for failure to provide information after colliding with another vehicle at Pierce and West Jefferson Streets Monday morning.
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WEATHER:
Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 am and 11 am, and then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 am. Cloudy, with a high near 65. East wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts to less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
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Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers before 9 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 51. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Karl Laxfoss Howardson Jr, 55, of Seneca went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 7th, after a brief illness. A Celebration of Life for Karl Laxfoss Howardson Jr will be at Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home in Seneca, on Wednesday, May 15th. Visitation is from 9-11 am, and the service for Karl Laxfoss Howardson Jr is at 11 am with full military honors to follow.
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Lori Ann Girard, 53, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, May 8th, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Visitation for Lori Ann Girard will be on Thursday, May 16th, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony for Lori Ann Girard will be held on Friday, May 17th, at 10:00 am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial for Lori Ann Girard will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Carl Edward “Higgins” Dimmick, Jr., 64, of Ottawa, passed away on Tuesday, May 7th, at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services for Carl Edward “Higgins” Dimmick, Jr will be private. Arrangements for Carl Edward “Higgins” Dimmick, Jr have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Thomas George Hughes, 60, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, May 1st, at his home in Ottawa. A private burial took place for Thomas George Hughes at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa for the service.
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SPORTS:
SOFTBALL
Hall 3, Fieldcrest 2 (8 inns.):
Harvest Christian 7, Earlville 6: Earlville season ended.
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BASEBALL
Ottawa 7, Plano 3 (5 inn.):
Mendota 7, Oregon 4:
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BOYS TENNIS
Ottawa 4, Mendota 1:
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The Chicago White Sox’s scheduled game against the Washington Nationals yesterday was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a traditional doubleheader today. Chris Flexen starts for the Southsiders in the first game at 3:40 PM. Erick Fedde is expected to take the mound for Game Two.
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The Chicago Cubs managed just five hits during a 2-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves a Truist Park. The Northsiders left six runners on base and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position during the losing effort. Shota Imanaga struck out eight of five scoreless innings, but Hayden Wesneski was charged with the loss in relief. The Cubs remain in second place in the NL Central at 24-and-18. Jameson Taillon starts for Chicago against the Braves tonight.
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The Chicago Sky are parting ways with one of their top picks from last month’s WNBA Draft. The team cut Brynna Maxwell yesterday. Maxwell was the 13th overall pick in the draft, but she was Chicago’s third pick behind forwards Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. Maxwell dealt with a knee injury during training camp and wasn’t able to make an impact. The Sky opens up the regular season with a game against the Wings tomorrow night.