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Peotone Police Blotter: May 24 – 30
Harry Verkler, 64, of Peotone, was cited for criminal damage to property on May 24. Verkler received a notice-to-appear in court. Michael Haley, 63, of Peotone, was arrested on May 29, at 12:07 a.m., for domestic battery. Haley was taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility to await a court appearance. Britny Caruso, 32,…

MPD Receives $5,000 for License Plate Recognition Devices
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow continued his countywide initiative to enhance community safety with high-tech Flock license plate readers with a $5,000 donation to the Monee Police Department. The contribution will allow Monee to purchase two automated license plate recognition devices that play a vital role in helping catch dangerous vehicle hijackers and other…

Early Morning Shooting Leaves One Dead, Sheriff Detectives Continue to Investigate Incident
On May 27, at approximately 4:30 a.m., sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 1100 block of Coyote Run, in unincorporated Bourbonnais, in regard to a shooting that occurred after a fight erupted at a house party. Upon arrival, police located 23-year-old, Michael O. Godinez, of Clifton, unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds about his chest…

Monee Police Blotter: May 22 – 28
May 22, at approximately 10 a.m., a traffic stop ended with Regina Palmer, 26, of Dolton, being charged with driving while suspended. She was processed and bonded. May 22, at approximately 8 p.m., a disturbance at the Red Roof Inn led to the arrest of Marina Simmons, 42, of Monee, for domestic battery. Both parties…

Beecher Police Blotter: May 5 – 28
Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely accusations, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. May 5, Randy Benton, 33, of the 13900 block of S. State Street, Chicago, was stopped at 730 Dixie Highway for speeding and found to have a driver’s license that had expired in 2010.…

Sgt. Dacorte Graduates from NU School of Police Staff/Command
On Friday, May 26, at the Tuscany Banquet Center in Mokena, Illinois 35 graduates received their keys for completing the 542nd School of Police Staff and Command at the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety – one of the nation’s most prestigious law enforcement administration academies. Among the graduates was Sgt. Aaron Dacorte of the…

Monee Cops Raised Dough Fulls on Rooftop
By Karen Haave Monee Police officers have proved, once again, that they are willing to give up sleep, or even a day off, to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. This time it was $5,409.37 in the rainy early morning Cop on a Rooftop 2023 at Dunkin’, 5757 W.…

L.E.A.D. Meant to Bring Positivity
By Karen Haave For John Henson and his wife, Tracey, L.E.A.D. in Monee is all about bringing “positivity.” Their third annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Monee this month did exactly that. Dozens of police vehicles and supporters from surrounding communities helped get the event underway with the Blue Line Parade that led to the…

Monee Police Blotter: May 8 – 21
May 8, at approximately 6 p.m., a rear-end crash on Monee-Manhattan Road resulted in the issuance of a citation to Gregory Sauls-Sanders, 19, of Richton Park, for following too closely. Both parties refused medical treatment. May 9, in the early morning hours, officers responded to two separate stolen vehicle complaints on Egyptian Trail and County…

Clove Alliance Hosts Conference for Law Enforcement, Community Professionals
Clove Alliance is hosting a one-day conference, Behind the Screen: Child Exploitation in the Age of the Darknet, for law enforcement and other community professionals. The workshop will be held on Friday, June 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Kankakee Community College. Online crimes against children have exploded across the United States. This…

Camp I Am Me Summer Camp Offers Burn Survivors Place of Healing
This empowering, week-long camp held at YMCA Camp Duncan provides a safe, and judgment-free place for young burn survivors ages eight-to-20. For the past 32 years, Camp I Am Me has provided a place of acceptance and healing for young burn survivors throughout Illinois at its yearly summer camp, held at YMCA Camp Duncan in…

Outdoor Fire, Burn Safety Reminders as Summer Season Approaches
The Memorial Holiday weekend is a kickoff to summer; be sure to keep family and friends safe! The Memorial Day holiday brings with it the excitement of summer’s start and the many outdoor celebrations that happen during warmer weather. These events and activities also can present dangers related to fires, and residents are encouraged to…

Beecher Police Blotter: May 20
Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely accusations, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. May 20, Deron Carter, 51, of the 6800 block of Perry Avenue, Chicago, was stopped at Dixie Highway and Linden for an equipment violation and found to have five revocations on his driver’s license…

Chief King Makes History as First Female ILACP President
Members of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) witnessed another milestone on April 2, as they welcomed the 75th president of the association, as well as the first female in its more than 80-year history. President Laura King was sworn in by Judge Robert Zalud during the ILACP Awards Banquet in Lombard last…

Rep. Haas Honors Police Officers During National Police Week
In recognizing National Police Week, State Rep. Jackie Haas is honoring 79th District police officers. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week when that falls as National Police Week. It is a time to offer honor, remembrance, and peer support, while allowing…
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News Around the Area
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WCTA Hosting Vintage Tractor Drive Fundraiser
The Will County Threshermen’s Association (WCTA) will hold its vintage tractor drive fundraiser on Saturday, June 10, with participants driving their vintage tractors on a 50-mile route through the countryside of Will and Grundy Counties. Lunch will be served at Andy Rousonelos farm. All proceeds from the event benefit the WCTA, a non-profit organization dedicated…

MPD Receives $5,000 for License Plate Recognition Devices
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow continued his countywide initiative to enhance community safety with high-tech Flock license plate readers with a $5,000 donation to the Monee Police Department. The contribution will allow Monee to purchase two automated license plate recognition devices that play a vital role in helping catch dangerous vehicle hijackers and other…

New ‘Ready Will County’ App Launched
The Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) launched a new-and-improved version of the “Ready Will County” smartphone application. The app is an innovative tool to help residents receive timely alerts and be able to effectively plan ahead for a wide range of scenarios. “Will County EMA serves as a key source of information to plan…

CED Hosting Eye-Opener Breakfast
The Will County Center for Economic Development is host this year’s Eye-Opener Breakfast on Thursday, June 22, at Tuscany Falls in Mokena. Registration and breakfast are at 7:30 a.m., with the program from 8 – 9:15 a.m. This mid-year look at the state of the Will County economy includes an update on major developments, initiatives,…

WCHD, Community Health Center Hosting Job Fair May 24
The Will County Health Department and Community Health Center is hosting its second annual job fair on Wednesday, May 24, in the Community Room at the Will County Health Department, 501 Ella Avenue in Joliet, from noon – 4 p.m. Job seekers will find a wealth of exciting career opportunities in public health at the…

Will County Announces $43 Million in ARPA Grant Awards
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Will County Board leadership announced the awarded allocation of $43 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to 120 local governments, community organizations, and small businesses throughout the county. This announcement follows Will County Board approval of allocations at its May 18 board meeting. “This funding is an…

Will County Board Approves 3 New Landscaping Businesses And Some Road Projects
By Stephen Nelson At its May 18th meeting, the Will County Board approved 3 new landscaping businesses at various locations. The first approved will be located on vacant land along South 104th Avenue in Frankfort Township. The second will operating at 2085 S. Spencer Avenue in New Lenox. The third will be located at 17958 S.…

Free Food Giveaway May 27 in Downtown Joliet
ShareFest Will County, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant team-up to support families. Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarrant and ShareFest Will County will host a free food giveaway event on Saturday, May 27, at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, from 9 a.m. until noon, or while supplies last. “This event…

Hill Sentenced to 80 Years in Joliet Murder
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Nathaniel Hill, 44, of Joliet, was sentenced by Judge Daniel Rippy to 80 years in prison for the 2020 shooting murder of Derrick Williams-Scott. Hill, a convicted felon, received 75 years for first degree murder, with three years mandatory supervised release, and five years for unlawful use of…

Will County Board Approves Purchase of Election Equipment
The Will County Board voted to approve the purchase of election equipment for the Will County Clerk’s office using $7.8 million from the General Reserve. Lauren Staley Ferry, Will County Clerk, reports election equipment and software systems owned and operated by the Will County Clerk’s Office have either exceeded life expectancy or are nearing end-of-life…

Free Annual Book Reuse and Recycling Event June 2-4
The Will County Land Use Department’s Resource Recovery and Energy (RRE) Division will host its annual three-day book reuse and recycling event, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 2-4, at Joliet Park District’s Pilcher Park Nature Center, 2501 Highland Park Drive. “Our goal is twofold – to promote literacy and improve the environment through…

Jury Finds Watson Guilty in 2019 Fatal Stabbing at Harrah’s Joliet Casino Hotel
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced a jury recently found Robert Watson, 29, of Joliet, guilty in the brutal 2019 killing of a 76-year-old Wisconsin man in the hotel of Harrah’s Casino in Joliet. The jury rendered its verdict following an eight-day trial before Circuit Judge David Carlson, finding Watson guilty on all four…
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Capitol News

Pritzker puts final stamp on $50.4 billion state spending plan
By ANDREW ADAMS & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker signed the state’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Wednesday, marking the first spending plan of his second term as governor. The $50.4 billion spending plan anticipates about $50.6 billion in revenues for the fiscal year that begins…

New law limits venue for constitutional lawsuits to Sangamon, Cook counties
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – People who file lawsuits in state courts challenging the constitutionality of a state law, administrative rule or executive order will now have to file those cases in either Sangamon or Cook counties. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed House Bill 3062, which applies only to cases…

As trial begins, politically connected businessman claims feds set him up to bribe legislator
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois [email protected] CHICAGO – Nearly four years after his name first surfaced in connection with a bribe arrangement between two sitting lawmakers, politically connected businessman James Weiss is finally having his day in court. Weiss, who is married to former state Rep. Toni Berrios, D-Chicago – the daughter of longtime…

Pritzker set to consider signing more than 500 bills in the next three months
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers passed 566 bills through both chambers of the General Assembly in the recently concluded legislative session – all but one of them in May. It sets the table for an approximate three-month bill-signing season for Gov. JB Pritzker. That’s because the state’s constitution gives…

Capitol Cast: End of Session Review
Capitol News Illinois · End of Session Review The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the highlights of the just-completed 2023 spring session.

State board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Even though Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill lawmakers just passed, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking applicants for some of the new money contained in that bill. ISBE is looking for new providers to offer preschool programs in areas…

Pritzker touts new budget’s higher education spending
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker began a tour of the state to tout the new state budget that lawmakers passed last week, stopping at two university campuses Wednesday to highlight the spending plan’s increased funding for higher education. “With this new budget, we’re making it possible for nearly…

Cannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session
By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A proposed cannabis reform bill won’t get further consideration until at least the General Assembly’s fall veto session after stakeholders failed to come to an agreement during the spring session’s final stretch. Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, told Capitol News…

Lawmakers approve measure giving utilities control over new downstate transmission lines
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — In the final hours of their spring session last week, lawmakers approved a controversial measure that would give existing power companies in downstate Illinois, notably Ameren Illinois, the first crack at installing new transmission lines. The measure applies to companies that already own or operate electric…

Budget vote brings General Assembly’s 2023 spring session to a close
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The 2023 spring legislative session came to an end in the early hours of Saturday morning after the Illinois House gave its approval to a $50.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1. The 73-38 party-line vote came around 2:30 a.m.…
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Will County Forest Preserve

Forest Preserve Program Lineup Includes Kids Fishing Derby, Pollinator Party
No matter your age or location, the Forest Preserve District of Will County has something fun for you to do this summer, including a summer paddle in Monee Township, a Kids Fishing Derby in Bolingbrook, a bird hike in Homer Glen, a Pollinator Party in Romeoville, and more. Online registration is available on the Event…

Treat Dad to Father’s Day Weekend Forest Preserve Outing
Head to Monee Reservoir or Hidden Lakes Trout Farm on Father’s Day weekend to take advantage of the free fishing days sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which means no fishing license is required. The Forest Preserve will throw in free bait and other treats for dads. Also scheduled are kayaking, late-night fishing,…

Enjoy Breakfast with the Birds, Play Outdoor Bingo
Check out upcoming Forest Preserve District of Will County programs that feature bird viewing, tree IDs, living history, frogs, and bingo. Online program registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Here is the lineup… Breakfast with the Birds, from 8-9:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon: View the bird-feeding…

New Online Store Features Forest Preserve Merchandise
A new online store created by the Forest Preserve District of Will County is open for business, with nature-themed products for outdoor enthusiasts and Take It Outside Challenge participants. The store sells t-shirts, caps, magnets, and a stylish dog bandana, allowing individuals to express their love for nature. The t-shirts feature creatures and snappy sayings,…

Forest Preserve Food Truck, Kayaking Programs Kick-off Summer Fun
The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Fun and Food Trucks and kayaking programs get underway in June. Also on tap are birding, camping, and nature programs. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Here is the lineup… ‘Travel Tales’ – Outdoor Trail Exhibit, from 8 a.m. – sunset, June 1 –…

Take a Bird Hike or Try a Hand at Fishing
Sign up for a fun bird hike or learn how to fish during upcoming Forest Preserve District of Will County programs. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Here is the lineup… Migratory Bird Hike at Four Rivers, from 8-10 a.m., Saturday, May 27, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon: Join a…

Join Forest Preserve’s Migration Celebration; View Birds on the Move
The annual spring trek north by birds that wintered in the south will be celebrated by the Forest Preserve District of Will County during its Migration Celebration. The event will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W. Walnut Lane, Channahon. “Migration Celebration…

Forest Preserve District of Will County News Briefs
Here are the latest headlines from the Forest Preserve District of Will County: April’s ‘Buzz’ nature show touts benefits of nature outings: Tune in to April’s episode of ‘The Buzz,’ the Forest Preserve’s monthly nature show, to learn about the benefits of being outside and all the Forest Preserve programs that will take you there.…

Celebrate Endangered Species, World Turtle Days with Forest Preserve
Celebrate Endangered Species Day, World Turtle Day, and other nature topics with the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Here is the lineup… Lure in the Memories, from 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday, May 19, Monee Reservoir, Monee Township: Thank someone meaningful in your life –…
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