Illinois Quick Hits: One confirmed dead from Kankakee tornado

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(The Center Square) – Kankakee County authorities have confirmed the death of one individual who was inside a storm-damaged home in Aroma Park.

The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post that the county coroner confirmed the death after sheriff’s deputies were notified late Thursday afternoon.

Government officials said at least 30 homes were destroyed by severe storms and tornadoes Tuesday.

BOBCAT HARVEST

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says 627 bobcats were harvested by hunters and trappers during the state’s 2025-2026 bobcat season.

Jefferson County reported 33 bobcats, followed by Macoupin County with 28.

IDNR issued 2,000 permits for the 2025 season out of 9,700 bobcat lottery applicants.

UI COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER NAMED

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has named a YouTube host to be the school’s 2026 commencement speaker.

“Hot Ones” host Sean Evans graduated from U of I in 2008.

The commencement ceremony is scheduled to be at Gies Memorial Stadium on May 16.

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