Illinois News
Local News
Crete’s Officer Hunt Retires
By Karen Haave The Village of Crete bid farewell to a veteran police officer with a luncheon marking his retirement on March 21. After acknowledging accolades from his colleagues, Officer Richard Hunt conducted his final 10-42 (End of Tour of Duty). “Officer Richard Hunt began his law enforcement career in 1977 as a part-time police…
Building Committee Creates Historical Overlay District
By Andrea Arens The Peotone Building Committee, consisting of Trustees Gary Hudson, Todd Sandberg, and Nick Strba, agreed to create an “Old Town Historical Overlay” District at their meeting on March 25. The purpose of creating the overlay district is to lay guidelines for a quality of appearance and to insure improvements of exteriors look…
Building Committee Declines to Hire Additional Employees
By Andrea Arens Village Administrator Aimee Ingalls along with Building and Zoning Administrator Henry Walters thought the Building Department, otherwise known as the Community Development Department, could use another employee. Walters was hired last year just before elections essentially to be the go-to for the Building and Zoning Department. While he lacked a lot of…
Behold, Beecher Police Station Will Be Built
By Jeff Vorva The earth will be moved, and a new police station will be built. The Beecher Village Board on March 25 approved several bid packages and, combined with a bid package that was approved at the March 11 meeting, the new digs are going to cost approximately $4.5 million. “Ground will start to…
Pritzker’s Grocery Tax Elimination Has Crete President Displeased
By Karen Haave Crete Village President Michael Einhorn is not happy with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to eliminate the state’s tax on groceries. Einhorn made his feelings known during the March 25 village board meeting, expressing his opposition to State Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-80th House District). He estimated the loss of the 1 percent…
Two Dead After Another Crash at 50 and County Line
The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police Troop 5 released a press release on March 28 that they are investigating a double fatality accident. The accident occurred on March 28, 2024, at 12:48 p.m., at the intersection of 12000 North Road and Illinois Rt. 50 just north of Manteno. Preliminary investigation demonstrates that…
Vedette Sports Report
By Jeff Vorva A former talented team will rub shoulders with a current talented team. Beecher’s 2007 softball team is a part of the 2024 Beecher Hall of Fame class and will be honored May 11 before a home softball game against Lemont. The 2007 squad won the Illinois High School Association Class 2A State…
Village Board Deciding to See What Turns Up
By Andrea Arens Previously approved project payouts were first on the menu for this week’s village board meeting. D Construction’s fourth payout for 88th Ave./Wilmington Rd./I-57 ramps unanimously was approved with Trustee Shelley Marevka and Mayor Peter March being absent. The project is not complete; striping, reflective items, and a sidewalk still need to be…
Gemini Giant to Stay in Wilmington, New Home on South Island
By: Stephanie Irvine Beloved Wilmington Rt. 66 icon the Gemini Giant, which stood outside the Launching Pad restaurant on historic Rt. 66 since the early 1960s, has sold at auction for a stunning $275,000. The winning bidder, Customer ID# 213226, turned out to be a friendly bidder. A press release issued by City of Wilmington…
Dartball Making a Comeback; Local Team Crowned Champions
By Karen Haave Longtime residents of Eastern Will County remember the days of Dartball and its tournaments. More than a game, it was a tradition, but it was lost over the years. It’s back now, and St. Paul’s UCC team in Monee are the newly crowned champions. Not bad for a team that was in…
Apartment Complex Has Manteno Principal Concerned
By Jeff Vorva You might say Matthew Glenn is looking for an exit strategy. Or, at the very least, an exit solution. Before the usual group of citizens spoke to harangue the Manteno Village Board on March 18 about the Gotion EV battery factory, Glenn, the principal at Manteno Elementary School, spoke first and is…
Monee Water Main Improvement Project Bids Approved
By Karen Haave Construction bids for Monee’s water main improvement project and the new Department of Public Works facility were approved by the board of trustees on March 13. The bids approved for both projects were significantly lower than totals budgeted by the board last month. Village Administrator Ruben Bautista said during the meeting that…
Manhattan Board Approves New Well House, Works Toward Finalizing Budget
By Stephanie Irvine The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 18, for their bimonthly board meeting, holding the meeting a day earlier than usual to accommodate voting for the 2024 general election. The mayor and all trustees, except for Tom Doyle, were present, with Trustee Justin Young attending virtually. Discussion regarding the…