WVLI News Update

Ahead of the November 3rd election, Bourbonnais Township voters will decide whether to abolish the Bourbonnais Township Road District. In this special report from the WVLI News Update, host Jake LaMore sits down with Bourbonnais Township Highway Commissioner Jason Diaz to discuss his perspective on the referendum and why he is encouraging residents to vote "No."

In this interview, Diaz addresses key arguments surrounding the ballot initiative, including:

• The daily responsibilities, jurisdiction, and maintenance operations of the Road District across roughly 41 centerline miles.
• His response to projected taxpayer savings claims of $500,000 to $600,000.
• Explanations regarding township fund reserves, recent tax levies, and future levy reductions.
• Clarifications on recent equipment purchases, vehicle maintenance, and the county reimbursement program.
• His perspective on the disputed fuel tank and facility project, competitive bidding thresholds, and mileage reimbursement policies.
• The governance relationship between the Highway Department and the Township Board, as well as the proposed forensic audit.

Note: This report is part one of a two-part series examining the Bourbonnais Township Referendum. Part two features Bourbonnais Township Supervisor Jeff Umphrey presenting the perspective in favor of a "Yes" vote.

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On the November 3rd ballot, voters across Bourbonnais Township will decide whether to abolish the Bourbonnais Township Road District. In part two of this WVLI News Update Special Report, host Jake LaMore speaks with Bourbonnais Township Supervisor Jeff Umphrey to discuss the Township Board’s perspective on the referendum and the arguments supporting a "Yes" vote. 

In this interview, Umphrey outlines the case for consolidation, including:

• The proposed governance structure: transitioning oversight from a single highway commissioner to a five-member elected township board. 
• Projected taxpayer savings of $500,000 to $600,000 annually through administrative reductions, lower legal fees, and decreased property tax levies. 
• Assurances regarding road services, including snow removal, brush pickup, and the retention of road crew personnel. 
• The board's stance on recent equipment financing, statutory spending limitations between specific funds (such as Permanent Road vs. Building and Equipment), and budgeting authority. 
• Explanations regarding fund balances, levy adjustments, and documentation regarding bank transactions and Certificate of Deposit (CD) transfers. 
• Inquiries surrounding fuel facility installations, bidding thresholds, and referrals to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. 
• The broader trend of road district consolidations across Illinois townships. 

Note: This episode is the second installment of a two-part series on the Bourbonnais Township Referendum. Part one features Bourbonnais Township Highway Commissioner Jason Diaz presenting the case for a "No" vote. 

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This edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers local and regional developments across eastern Illinois and northwest Indiana. The broadcast examines recent retail gasoline price movements and the scheduled expiration of Indiana's state gasoline tax suspension. Reporting also details the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor affecting area counties, the pending ballot referendum for the Braidwood Fire Protection District, and the ongoing stadium discussions regarding the Chicago Bears in Arlington Heights. Additional coverage includes a scam warning issued by the Jasper County Sheriff's Police, a milestone bridge removal on the Kankakee River, the upcoming return of standard time, and regional sports scores. Listen to the full episode for all the details and in-depth reporting on each of these stories. 

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, Illinois State Police seek the public's assistance in identifying potential additional victims following the arrest of 46-year-old Michael L. Wiggins of Bradley on multiple child sexual assault and abuse charges. Investigators believe there may be additional unidentified victims across Kankakee, Watseka, Champaign, and Decatur. In Iroquois County, state police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Onarga after deputies encountered an armed man on a rooftop. 

This broadcast also details a critical car crash and vehicle fire on Offner Road in Manhattan, where bystanders pulled a driver from a burning car before the individual was airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center. In consumer and public health alerts, the FDA has announced a multi-state recall of Miyoko's Creamery plant-based butter due to potential contamination, while the CDC warns that national flu hospitalizations have hit a 16-year high for this time of year. 

Additionally, learn how to support local domestic violence survivors through Harbor House’s annual Holiday Market, hear expert guidance on managing Halloween candy consumption, and get a full regional sports recap featuring the Milwaukee Brewers' World Series title win and updates on the Bulls, Blackhawks, Packers, and Bears. 

Listen to the full episode for comprehensive reporting, key phone numbers, and in-depth details on all of today’s top stories. 

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, Kankakee City Police apprehend a 28-year-old Bourbonnais man following a Monday morning shooting on East Court Street that left one person hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The episode provides coverage of the contested Kankakee County Clerk election ahead of Election Day, featuring statements from incumbent Dan Hendrickson and challenger Brian Vaughn regarding office accessibility, budgets, and voting expansion. 

Additional stories include an arrest linked to an intentional dumpster fire in Kankakee, an undercover narcotics arrest by the Iroquois County Sheriff's Police in Sheldon, the upcoming return of Daylight Saving Time, climbing jackpots for Powerball and Mega Millions, and a recap of regional sports action. 

Listen to the full episode for complete details, investigative updates, and candidate remarks. 

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West delivers comprehensive coverage of breaking local news and key civic developments across Kankakee County and the surrounding region. 

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Kankakee police investigations into a Monday morning shooting on East Court Street that left one suspect wounded, alongside reports of shots fired over the weekend on East Water Street and South Osborn Avenue. 
• A Sunday night attic fire on Allison Drive in Paxton that resulted in an estimated $40,000 to $50,000 in damages. 
• An analysis of the proposed Bourbonnais Public Library District funding referendum on the upcoming ballot, including estimated property tax impacts for local homeowners. 
• Developments from the Bradley Village Board meeting, including resident questions regarding the Summerfield subdivision park plans and the approval of a $1.5 million concrete contract for infrastructure surrounding the Mattel-branded indoor waterpark. 
• The arrest of a 27-year-old Wheatfield resident in Jasper County following an alleged pickaxe assault at a gas station. 
• Updates on the CDC's reformulated flu vaccine, multi-state lottery jackpots, Dictionary.com's word of the year, and regional scores covering the NFL, World Series, and NBA. 

Listen to the full episode for complete reports, official statements, and in-depth details on all of these stories.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, comprehensive local and regional coverage spans breaking public safety news, local governance, infrastructure, and community events across Kankakee, Will, and Iroquois counties. 

Will County authorities are investigating a fatal crash on Peotone-Wilmington Road at Center Road involving a passenger car and a semi-truck that resulted in two fatalities. In Iroquois County, sheriff's deputies report several juveniles were hospitalized following a rollover golf cart accident in Loda. Meanwhile, emergency repairs by IDOT lead to lane closures and anticipated delays on Interstate 80 in Joliet. 

Local government reporting features Kankakee County Clerk Dan Hendrickson directly addressing and clarifying social media rumors concerning election judge initials on ballots. State Representative Jackie Haas provides insight into the upcoming fall veto session in Springfield, discussing the BELD Act, public school funding, and the proposed stadium authority bill involving the Chicago Bears. 

Listeners will also hear updates on the progress of the Kankakee East Riverwalk project from City Engineer Neil Piggush, details on Mayor Chris Curtis leading a delegation to sister city Yuriria Mexico, and announcements regarding the county's upcoming Veterans Day ceremony. Additional segments include harvest safety tips from the Kankakee Fire Department, the physical health impacts of daylight saving time, regional lottery spending statistics, night sky viewing opportunities from the Strickler Planetarium, and a complete Chicago area sports recap. 

Please listen to the full episode for complete interviews, official statements, and all the details on these stories. 

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West covers critical developments across Kankakee County and surrounding areas. 

Bradley police are actively investigating an isolated shooting incident on the North Street I-57 overpass that left two people dead late Thursday night. In economic news, Illinois drivers are seeing another sudden spike at the pump, with Kankakee area gas prices surging 32 cents overnight to an average of $4.80 per gallon. 

This update also details the latest Kankakee County Board Finance Committee meeting regarding the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and fund balances, the city of Kankakee's approved emergency roof repair contracts following storm damage, and an upcoming prescription drug drop-off event hosted by State Representative Jackie Haas. Additional coverage includes Olivet Nazarene University's homecoming concert honoring local military veterans, area World Polio Day walks, Illinois unemployment claim trends, and a comprehensive preview of Halloween and fall weekend festivities across Manteno, Momence, Bourbonnais, and Kankakee. Finally, catch a complete recap of local and national sports, from the Chicago Bears' Thursday night victory to regional college football and the start of the World Series. 

For complete reporting, interviews, and full context on all of these stories, listen to the full episode.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local reporting covers key county government decisions, township governance disputes, election preparations, and community headlines across Kankakee County. The Kankakee County Board Executive Committee examines a proposal to withdraw from the Kankakee Regional Land Bank, centering on questions of municipal tax equity and program jurisdiction. In Bourbonnais Township, the ongoing debate over eliminating the road department develops further after Highway Commissioner Jason Diaz releases audio of a voicemail reportedly left by Township Assessor Doug Anderson. 

Additional local reports featured in this episode:

• Kankakee County Clerk Dan Hendrickson details grant allocations for election judge training manuals and facility security, alongside current early voting schedules in Manteno, Bourbonnais, and Kankakee. 
• Kankakee City Police respond to a report of ammunition discovered on a transit bus near East Chestnut Street. 
• Grant Park Police Chief Alberto Castillo receives the El Humanitario Award from the Kankakee County Hispanic Partnership and State's Attorney Jim Rowe. 
• The Village of Bradley hosts its annual West Broadway trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat activities. 
• The Bourbonnais Public Library conducts an informational session concerning its funding referendum on the November ballot. 
• National pet safety advice for Halloween from veterinarian Dr. Kelly Skinner, dating app seasonal trend data, lottery jackpot updates, and Chicago sports scores. 

Listen to the full episode for all the details, audio clips, and complete coverage.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

On the November 3 ballot, voters within the Bourbonnais Public Library District will decide on a proposed funding referendum. In this WVLI News Update Special Report, host Jake LaMore sits down with Jeremy Van Kley of the Vote Yes for Bourbonnais Public Library campaign committee to break down the details, numbers, and community impact behind the measure. 

The discussion covers key topics every district resident should consider ahead of election day:

• The Tax Rate Context: How the library's tax rate has remained unchanged since 1982 and what the proposed adjustment (from approximately 0.1567% to 0.290% of the overall property tax rate distribution) means for average residential tax bills. 
• District Boundaries & Voter Eligibility: Clarifying who can vote—including renters and township residents living outside village limits—and same-day voter registration details. 
• Proposed Facility & Service Updates: How the funds would address upwards of $400,000 in deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs (roof, HVAC), as well as planned additions such as quiet study rooms, expanded digital and physical collections, expanded parking, a drive-up drop box, and youth and senior programming. 
• Funding Mechanism: The distinction between a direct tax rate referendum and a bond issue. 

For a complete breakdown of the facts, numbers, and background before heading to the polls or voting early, listen to the full episode. 

For more information, frequently asked questions, and the library’s property tax calculator, visit bourbonnaislibrary.org. 

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