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WIU faculty cuts affect staff, students, communities
UPDATE: Sen. Mike Halpin emailed his statement on the layoffs to Our Quad Cities News. “I am disappointed to learn of the painful cuts happening at Western Illinois University. WIU is a major employer in my district and has provided high-quality education to thousands for many years, and these cuts undoubtedly will make maintaining those […]
Illinois quick hits: Drug bust in Watseka; WIU layoffs; lead pipe replacement funds
A Watseka woman is facing numerous charges after a large-scale drug bust in the tiny eastern Illinois town. The Watseka Enforcement Team conducted an undercover narcotics purchase that led to a search warrant. Police said they recovered approximately 1,200 grams of cannabis, 280 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, 500 "pressed pills" that tested positive for meth and fentanyl, nearly 400 Xanax bars, a small amount of cocaine and 15 grams of ecstasy.
Leatherneck Men’s Soccer Earns League Academic Honors
The Western Illinois men’s soccer program was honored by the Summit League this week for their efforts in the classroom during the 2023-24 academic year. The Leathernecks had five student-athletes named to the Commissioner’s List of Academic Achievement for the 2023-24 academic year. Those student-athletes are Jimmy Baars,...
Leatherneck Football to Host Women’s Football Event
The Western Illinois University Football program is hosting a Women’s Football Night on Friday, August 9th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Women are encouraged to come together and support Leatherneck football and experience the thrill of the game. The night will start in Western Hall with appetizers, a “ChalkTalk,” and a tour of the football facilities from the coaching staff. The night ends under the lights of Hanson Field where players and coaches will lead football drills and host a photo shoot with Western Illinois’ mascot, Colonel Rock IV.
Leatherneck Women’s Basketball Second in Nation in Team GPA During 2023-24 Season
The Western Illinois University women’s basketball team competed well on and off the court during the 2023-24 academic year. Their efforts in the classroom have earned national attention after making the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) 2023-24 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll. The Leathernecks posted a team...
Kroger-Albertson's merger halted; future of 35 Illinois Mariano's, Jewel stores uncertain
The Kroger-Albertson's merger has been halted.The state of Colorado has filed a lawsuit to permanently block Kroger and Albertson's business plans until a court rules on the "megamerger," the state's attorney general said. Friday.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchThe block on the merger puts the future of 35 Mariano's and Jewel Osco stores in Illinois into uncertainty. Kroger and Albertson's had previously released a full list of all the stores they would sell off if their merger is approved, which included the 35 Illinois stores.The two grocery chains had committed in September 2023 to selling more...
IL FOP: Sean Grayson fired ‘without just cause’, files grievance
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council filed a grievance saying the deputy that shot Sonya Massey in the face was terminated “without just cause.” Sean Grayson shot 36-year-old Sonya Massey in the head while responding to a call at her home. Grayson was charged with first-degree murder earlier this month. […]
IDOC, police department issue statement on ‘inflammatory’ Facebook posts
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Two Illinois agencies have issued statements about offensive comments made on social media Thursday. The Illinois Department of Corrections issued a statement announcing a correctional officer has been placed on administrative leave after they made an offensive Facebook post. “The Department has been made aware of social media posting on Facebook […]
Illinois State Police sued for giving accused Highland Park mass shooter FOID card
(The Center Square) – While Illinois State Police face litigation in the Court of Claims over the accused Highland Park shooter applying for and receiving a Firearm Owners ID card before the 2022 mass shooting, the agency’s director is touting successes in blocking firearms from prohibited individuals. On...
Reports Say Pizza Chain with 22 Illinois Places May Go Bankrupt
It's not easy trying to be a restaurant these days and national chains are certainly not excluded. Multiple reports say that a pizza chain that currently has 22 restaurants in Illinois is exploring bankruptcy possibilities. These business rumors aren't coming from small potato sources either. The Wall Street Journal and...
3 stateline communities receive funding to replace lead service lines
ILLINOIS (WIFR) - Communities in Winnebago, Ogle and Jo Daviess counties will receive hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace lead service lines. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced a total of $43,159,886 for 17 cities and villages to improve their water infrastructure. Stateline communities receiving funding:. The Village of...
Report Shows 110% Rise in Illinois Domestic Violence Deaths as Advocates Call for Action
Advocacy groups are sounding the alarm on a spike in domestic violence cases. A new report from the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence says domestic violence deaths in Illinois rose by 110% last year, with 94 incidents of domestic violence leading to 120 deaths in 2023. That includes 107 homicides and 13 suicides in which the perpetrators took their own lives. That’s up from the previous year, when there were 45 incidents that led to 57 deaths.
Freedom Alliance leader addresses issues with energy sources
(The Center Square) – Concerns are being raised as solar energy facilities displace Midwestern farmland. The Institute for Energy Research reports that the target for solar operations is increasingly in the Midwest, where government subsidies allow solar companies to pay more to rent land than the farmers feeding the nation. Myke Luebbers of the Illinois Freedom Alliance said there were more green areas in Southern California before solar farms were...
Illinois mandates utilities report residents’ water usage to wastewater agencies
(The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator has concerns about a new law possibly allowing wastewater agencies to charge consumers more. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 5459 into law earlier this month. The law mandates a public utility that provides drinking water services report water usage of a resident to a municipal wastewater agency upon request. Two senators opposed the measure in the Illinois Senate. State Sen. Craig...
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