Illinois Quick Hits: Storms cause damage, closures

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Severe storms on Wednesday caused damage in many areas around Illinois, including the state fairgrounds in Springfield. The Illinois Department of Agriculture said several buildings were closed due to power outages. Several fairgrounds-area events were cancelled, including harness racing and the farmers market.

Another round of severe weather was forecast for Thursday evening. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for 18 counties in northern and central Illinois, five counties in northwest Indiana and parts of Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.

RURAL KING BREAKS GROUND IN MATTOON

Following an agreement that includes state tax incentives, Rural King has broken ground on a $75 million store support center in Coles County. According to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Transportation is working with the city of Mattoon on grant funding for a road that would provide access to the new campus. Later this year, IDOT is expected to break ground on an $82 million reconstruction of the nearby Interstate 57 interchange with Illinois 16.

The Rural King project is expected to create 100 new full-time jobs and retain 719 existing jobs. The farm and home supply retailer was founded in Mattoon in 1960.

ICC OFFERS FORUM ON PROPOSED WATER RATE HIKE

Illinois American Water customers are invited to comment on the utility’s proposed rate increase at a public forum in Bolingbrook on July 14. Illinois American requested a $142.4 million rate hike from the Illinois Commerce Commission earlier this year and estimated the typical residential customer would pay an extra $14 per month.

The forum is scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on July 14 at the Village of Bolingbrook Community Center. Impacted customers unable to attend may submit comments via the ICC website or by calling 1-800-524-0795.

NEW CFO APPOINTED IN COOK COUNTY

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has appointed Angela Manning-Hardimon as chief financial officer of the county’s finance bureau. Manning-Hardimon previously served as a CFO at Fermilab and at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate has adopted the House’s 10-day extension of the expiring Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, leaving Republican leadership less than...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Five-Run Fifth Inning Propels Casey-Westfield Past Robinson 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team capitalized on a massive five-run fifth inning and a steady offensive attack to secure a 7-3 home conference victory over Robinson on Thursday afternoon. Casey-Westfield's...

Illinois lawmakers seek to eliminate state diversity commission

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- An Illinois state commission has failed its mission to aid businesses owned by racial minorities, women and...
Republican efforts to impeach Walz, Ellison fail in Minnesota

Republican efforts to impeach Walz, Ellison fail in Minnesota

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Republican efforts to impeach lead Democrats in Minnesota ran aground this week following a partisan deadlock in committee. The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee...
Trump says Iran agrees to turn over 'nuclear dust'

Trump says Iran agrees to turn over ‘nuclear dust’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. will receive Iran’s “nuclear dust,” President Donald Trump said Friday. “The U.S.A. will get all the nuclear ‘dust,’ created by our great B2...
U.S. Supreme Court slaps down Chevron oil lawsuit

U.S. Supreme Court slaps down Chevron oil lawsuit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-0 decision Friday, sent back a state court ruling in favor of oil companies Chevron and ExxonMobil seeking millions...
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois House approves student cell phone ban

Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois House approves student cell phone ban

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House has approved a bill banning students from using cell phones during the school day....
Oil prices fall as Trump, Iran say Strait of Hormuz is 'fully open'

Oil prices fall as Trump, Iran say Strait of Hormuz is ‘fully open’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Strait of Hormuz is fully opened, Iranian officials and President Donald Trump said Friday, sending oil prices down. Iran closed the strait near the...
US-Asia Fair Market Alliance launches, urges probe into digital trade practices in Asia

US-Asia Fair Market Alliance launches, urges probe into digital trade practices in Asia

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – A new policy coalition launched this week, calling on federal officials to investigate what it says is discriminatory treatment of...
Fugitives arrested in New England sanctuary jurisdictions wanted on homicide charges

Fugitives arrested in New England sanctuary jurisdictions wanted on homicide charges

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Fve fugitives have been arrested in New England sanctuary jurisdictions within the past few weeks who are wanted for murder or homicide in their home...
ICE director stepping down

ICE director stepping down

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Department of Homeland Security will see another leadership change as Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will step down May 31....
Ex-Dem Rep. Stoneback can’t sue gun control group, current Rep. Olickal over NRA smears

Ex-Dem Rep. Stoneback can’t sue gun control group, current Rep. Olickal over NRA smears

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square An Illinois gun control activist group and a current Illinois Democratic state lawmaker appear poised to ultimately prevail over a former Democratic...
Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State legislative leaders from both parties spoke to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce about the broad state...
Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he hopes the federal government does what’s best for consumers and businesses as...
Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate reached 5% in February, up 0.1...