Illinois Quick Hits: Storms cause damage, closures

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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.