WVLI News Update

• Lawyers for man convicted of Delphi murders files appeal

Attorneys for the man convicted of the Delphi murders have filed an appeal.  Richard Allen was found guilty last year of the 2017 murders of Libby German and Abby Williams.  Allen's attorneys have filed a 113-page brief appealing the conviction with the Indiana Court of Appeals.  They argue that the search of Allen's home was unconstitutional, his confessions during confinement were inadmissible, and that the defense team was not able to provide their complete defense because their alternative theory was not permitted by the judge.

• Holiday Cooking Safety

The holiday season brings with it special issues when it comes to fire safety. Over the last few weeks we've been talking to representatives from the local fire services about some of those issues and what can be done to minimize the risk. Today we hear from Lieutenant Enrique Czako, EMS Coordinator and Community Risk Reduction Officer for the City of Kankakee Fire Department about fire risks when it comes to cooking.  Lieutenant Czako says 44 percent of all home fires are caused by carelessness when cooking

• What to do around Kankakee County

There's plenty of fun activities to do in our area this weekend. With a look at a few of the events is Angelina Gear, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.

• Auditor touts savings

At this mornings meeting of the Kankakee County Board Finance Committee, County Auditor Colton Ekhoff gave an update on the Staples program that was implemented earlier this year.  Ekhoff added most departments don't do their office spending until April or May and that he would have a report on those savings sometime in June.  

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• IL GOP on possible Madigan pardon

 Illinois' Republican Congress members are asking President Trump to not pardon former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.  In a letter this week to Trump, U.S. Representative Mike Bost, Darin LaHood, and Mary Miller said pardoning the Chicago Democrat "would send a dangerous message that public officials can betray the public trust with impunity."  Madigan filed a clemency petition with the Office of the Pardon Attorney.  He is currently serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted earlier this year on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery.

• Bears eye move to Indiana

Indiana could get its second National Football League team.  The Chicago Bears are looking at moving to northwest Indiana as their effort to build a new stadium in the Chicago area is at a standstill.  The Bears and Illinois lawmakers are at a stalemate over a bill that would give them a tax break with Arlington Heights when the new stadium is built.  Team president and CEO Kevin Warren says they will expand their search "and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana."

• Kankakee to continue Republic Services

City of Kankakee residents will continue to use Republic Services for garbage and recycle pickup. A resolution was passed at Monday night's city council meeting. Mayor Chris Curtis says Republic had the best proposal.  Mayor Curtis says curbside and alleyway pickup remains the same and that the new five year agreement with Republic Services begins January 1st.

• Former Braidwood Mayor Saltzman dead at 84

A former mayor of Braidwood has died. Wayne Thomas Saltzman passed away Friday at the age of 84 according to his obituary. Saltzman was Mayor of Braidwood from  2003 to 2007 and served as the president of the Braidwood Park District for 30 years. During his time as Mayor, he founded the Braidwood Food Pantry, an effort that earned him a Hometown Pride Award. Visitation for Saltzman is being held this afternoon from three to seven at RW Patterson Funeral Home in Braidwood. 

• Secret Food Pantry in Bourbonnais today

Another of those Secret Food Pantry mobile pop-up events is planned for the Village of Bourbonnais today. This one runs from 11 til noon at the sight on Briarwood Lane. Organizers of the event recommend a five-dollar donation. They ask you show up no more than a half hour before the start of the event and you follow the route outlined by Bourbonnais Police. You can find that route and get more information the Village of Bourbonnais' website or its Facebook page. 

• Kankakee City Police report residential burglary

Kankakee City Police are investigating after a home was broken into Tuesday. According to reports, City Police were called to the home in the 12-hundred block of East Oak Street about 5:30 last night by a man who said he'd left for work at six yesterday morning and came home to find the front door of his house had been kicked in. The victim told police a television and other electronics were missing from the home. City Police continue to investigate. 

• VAC gift tree a success

During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Executive Committee, Veteran's Assistance Superintendent Eric Peterson told the committee the recent Holiday Honor's program through the VAC has been a success.  Peterson noted the success of the program wasn't just a message to the veteran's who will be getting those gifts next week, but was also a message to the veteran community at large about the support they have in Kankakee County.

• Absentee ballots available

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• Bradley Police make arrest in October incident

Bradley Police report additional arrests in an incident where shots were fired in the Village back in October. In a press release, Bradley Police say it was just after three in the afternoon on October second when they were called to a home on South Jefferson Avenue for a reported burglary where shots had been fired. Two people were arrested that day after an alleged illegal pot growing operation was found in the garage of the house. The investigation into the incident led to the December fifth arrests of 27-year-old Donte C. Moore of Bradley and 24-year-old Dahnari R. Jones of Pembroke township on burglary and gun-related charges. A 19-year-old and 17-year-old from Joliet were also arrested by Bradley Police.

• City of Kankakee makes plans to celebrate US 250th birthday

Kankakee City Aldermen passed a resolution at Monday night's city council meeting to opt into the state of Illinois's celebration of America's 250th birthday next year. Mayor Chris Curtis says this includes the city's participation in a statewide time capsule.  Mayor Curtis added the city will most likely add some extra festivities to next year's 4th of July fireworks display to celebrate America's 250th Birthday.

• Norovirus on the rise in Kankakee County

Cases of Norovirus are on the rise in our area according to Kankakee County Health Department Administrator John Bevis.  Bevis says antibiotics do not help with norovirus and only the symptoms can be treated. Bevis also said local hospitals have begun to see more cases of RSV, Flu, and Covid as well.

• Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week

Local law enforcement is looking for help to identify those involved in a theft to a work truck last Friday. Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowksi has our Crime Stoppers tip of the week.  Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and could result in a cash reward. 

• IHSA to expand football playoffs

The Illinois High School Association is expanding the football playoff field.  IHSA members approved the expansion of the Football Playoffs from 32 teams per class to 48 teams.  That increases the number of total playoff qualifiers from 256 qualifiers to 384.  The number of playoff classes in football remains at eight. 

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• Winter plowing cost Bourbonnais some $130,000 so far this winter

At last night's Bourbonnais Village Board meeting, Village Public Works Director Terry Memenga gave an update on Village efforts to keep the streets clear so far this winter.  Memenga said keeping the roads clear this winter has so far cost the Village about 130-thousand dollars. 

• I57/Rte 54 interchange to be closed overnights starting tonight

The I-57, Route 54 interchange at Onarga will be closed for three nights in a row starting Tuesday night. IDOT says the interchange needs to be closed so they can demolish part of the Route 54 bridge deck over the interstate. Closures start at six each night and the interchange will re-open at six the following morning.

• Bourbonnais agrees to annex new subdivision

During last night's Bourbonnais Village Board meeting, trustees passed an annexation agreement with the developers of the planned "Pony Farm" subdivision. Village Administrator Mike VanMill.  It's thought Pony Farm Subdivision would be the first new subdivision in the Village in about 20 years. The new subdivision in planned for across from Turnberry Subdivision

• Bourbonnais sets tax levy request

Bourbonnais Trustees last night passed the Village tax levy request for the new fiscal year. Village Finance Director Tara Latz.  Latz pointed out the village portion is about five percent of the total property tax bill in the village. 

• Powerball Rollover

The Powerball jackpot is rolling over again.  There was no grand prize winner on Monday night so the jackpot jumps to a staggering one-point-two-five billion dollars ahead of the next drawing on Wednesday.  There were a couple of million-dollar prize winners on Monday.  Those tickets were sold in California and Arizona.

• IL Public Health alcohol study

The Illinois Department of Public Health is releasing its first-ever report on alcohol use by Illinois residents.  The report says nearly 23-percent of Illinois high schoolers reported consuming at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days, while more than 11-percent acknowledged binge drinking.  Among adults, 57-percent of respondents said they had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30-days, while more than 18-percent acknowledged binge drinking.  Data from the report can be used by state and local health officials to develop targeted programs and interventions to address health-related concerns linked to alcohol use.

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• Powerball rolls over, again

Monday night's Powerball drawing is worth more than a billion dollars.  No one matched all six numbers in Saturday's drawing, so the already massive jackpot jumped again and now stands at one-point-one billion.  The cash option on that works out to more than 503 million dollars but the odds of winning the grand prize are astronomical at around one in 292 million.  

• Notable Night Sky News

Time now to find out what's happening overhead this week. With our Notable Night Sky News, here's Madeline Shepley, Astronomy Professor and Director of the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet

• City of Kankakee holds parade, despite frigid weather

The City of Kankakee Christmas Parade was held over the weekend. For the fourth year in a row, 4th Ward Alderman Lance Marczak helped organize the event and he said he was happy with the turnout, considering how cold it was.  The float winners in Saturday afternoon's parade were third place - All Fenced Up LLC, second place St. Mary's Hospital and winner of the thousand dollar first place prize was EAA Chapter 990. 

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• Emil Jones evades prosecution

State Senator Emil Jones the Third is striking a deal with prosecutors.  The Chicago Democrat agreed to a deferred prosecution deal that will leave him with no conviction.  As part of the agreement, he must admit to certain illegal conduct and pay a fine.  Jones was set for retrial next month on bribery charges.  His first trial in April ended in a mistrial after the jury couldn't reach a verdict on three criminal counts.   Jones was accused of taking money from a red-light camera company executive to kill legislation requiring traffic studies for automated camera systems.

• Holiday food give-away this weekend

Seniors across Kankakee County are invited to a special Holiday Food Giveaway tomorrow in Bradley. According to a press release, seniors from all over the county are invited to a food giveaway beginning at 9:00 Saturday morning at the Bradley Community Building on West Broadway. Food will be given out on a first come, first served basis. There is a limit of one package per household. Event organizers ask seniors residing in Kankakee County to show up early to ensure they get some food. The event has been made possible by the Bradley Lions Club, Speckman Realty, and the Women's Club of Kankakee. 

• New tea room opens this weekend in Kankakee

While you're in Downtown Kankakee this weekend for the Christmas Parade, you can get a sneak peek of the new tea room set to open soon at the French Heritage Museum. Kankakee County Historical Society Executive Director Veronica Featherston with the details.  The Judy Anna Tea room will open on a regular basis at the French Heritage Museum sometime next year.

• Handling holiday stress

There's no doubt that the Holidays can be a stressful time of year for many of us. Rachel Nietfeldt from Riverside's Pathways Program gave us a few tips on how to manage that stress on a recent episode of the Kankakee Valley Community Happenings podcast with Mike Tomano.
(Riverside)
You can listen to the full episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings wherever you get your podcasts. 

• Kankakee County bridges to be replaced

Two Kankakee County bridges will get replaced at no cost to the county board, thanks to the Illinois Department of Transportation. At Thursday morning's Highways, Waterways, and Buildings Committee meeting, two resolutions were passed for bridge replacements on County Highway 13 over Pike Creek and County Highway 14 over Trim Creek. County engineer Greg Heiden.  Heiden says that figure is for the Pike Creek bridge, which will be replaced first on Vincennes Highway. The cost of the Trim Creek bridge that IDOT has also offered to cover is three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.

• VAC renovations okayed by committee

The Kankakee County Board Highways, Waterways, and Buildings Committee passed a resolution Thursday morning to recommend the Veteran's Assistance Commission of Kankakee County be allowed to remodel their front office in Bourbonnais, but not without some debate.  VAC Superintendent Eric Peterson says they specifically budgeted for this project in their 2026 budget. The lowest bid for the VAC front office remodel project was around eighty eight thousand dollars from Johnson Downs. The remodel still needs approval from the VAC board and full county board in order to move forward.

• Drought concerns deepen

Despite recent snowfall, drought concerns are growing across the area. The latest numbers just released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor lists about nine percent of Kankakee County as in severe drought, 17 percent in moderate drought, 52 percent abnormally dry and about 21 percent of the county is listed as having no drought co

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• State unemployment steady

Illinois' unemployment rate remains steady.  The state Department of Employment Security says the state's jobless rate in September was unchanged at four-point-four-percent.  Non-farm payroll jobs decreased by 22-hundred.  

• Herscher Police "lock your doors"

Herscher Police are asking area residents to make sure they lock their doors. In a Facebook post, Herscher Police Chief Kurt Quick says due to recent burglaries in Clifton and surrounding communities he wants to remind you to lock your doors. The also ask you call their department or 9-1-1 if you see any suspicious activity.

• Indiana redistricting nears end

A final reading is expected for Indiana's redistricting bill today.  The Indiana Senate approved a second reading of the measure Wednesday afternoon.  Democrats proposed three amendments to House Bill 1032, but all were rejected.  If approved by the full Senate without any amendments, the bill would next head to Governor Braun's desk for signing.  If the bill is passed and then signed into law, it would allow the Indiana General Assembly to significantly change the state's congressional maps before the 2026 midterms.

• OD deaths down this year

The Kankakee County Board Criminal Justice Committee met Wednesday and County Coroner Bob Gessner gave the committee an update on the number of overdose deaths in the county this year.  Gessner said fentanyl continues to be responsible for most of the overdose deaths in the county.

• Adoption fees lowered on some pets at Kankakee County Animal Control

During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, Animal Control Administrator Kari Laird told the committee some of the animals in their facility have reduced adoption fees just in time for Christmas.  You can contact animal control for more information

• Courthouse renovation plans continue

During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee. 21st Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington gave an update on planned renovations at the County Courthouse. Cunnington said the Supreme Court has to approve the plan because, while ADA compliant,  the courtroom wouldn't be up to Supreme Court standards. Cunnington also reminded the committee that he'll be stepping down and Chief Judge at the end of the year and Judge Bill Dickenson will take over as of January first. 

• Downey touts County pilot program

During Wednesday morning's Kankakee County Board Criminal Justice Committee meeting, Sheriff Downey once again brought up how successful the Mental Health Pilot Program has been at Jerome Combs Detention Center.  Sheriff Downey said officials from Franklin and McHenry counties have already visited Kankakee County detention facilities for training to start up their own mental health pilot programs for their inmates. 

• Downey explains new law

At Wednesday morning's Kankakee County Board Criminal Justice Committee meeting, Sheriff Mike Downey was asked what his opinion was on a bill Illinois Governor JB Pritzker just signed into law Tuesday that blocks ICE agents from entering court houses, hospitals, and other facilities to place people under arrest.  Sheriff Downey added that the bill passed by the governor yesterday is really directed at ICE agents and not so much local law enforcement.  

• Salvation Army needs toys

The Salvation Army of Kankakee Christmas Toy Drive ends this Friday. Lieutenant LaToya Surrat talked to Denny Case about the drive on a recent episode of the Kankakee Valley Community Happenings podcast.&nb

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• Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week

There's been a rash of motor vehicle thefts in Kankakee County recently. With our Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week, here's Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski.  Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and could result in a cash reward. 

• FDA issues cookie dough recall

The FDA is issuing its highest consumer risk warning for a cookie dough.  Doughy brand chocolate chip cookie dough was recalled last month by Hudson River Foods over possible salmonella contamination and now the FDA is classifying that recall as a Class I recall.  That means using or being exposed to the dough could cause serious health consequences or even death.  The New York company says 113 units of 12- ounce Dough brand chocolate chip dough was sold in 15 states, including Illinois.  The dough carries a "best by" date by July 4th, 2026.

• Public libraries to have OD reversal drugs after first of the year

Public libraries in Illinois will soon have opioid overdose reversal agents on hand.  The Illinois Department of Public Health added public libraries to the list of locations allowed to let trained staff members administer agents in the event of a suspected overdose on the property.  The revised standing order will make it easier for libraries to comply with new provisions of the Illinois Local Library Act, which takes effect on January 1st.

• Madigan asks Trump for pardon

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is asking President Trump for a pardon of his federal corruption conviction.  Madigan recently filed a clemency petition with the Office of the Pardon Attorney.  The Chicago native is currently serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted earlier this year on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery.  Federal prosecutors say Madigan conspired with others to get ComEd to make monetary payments to his associates in exchange for favorable legislation.

• Rensselaer Chamber of Commerce Dinner

The Rensselaer Chamber of Commerce held their annual dinner meeting last night at the Embers. Pat Fox was named the Chamber's Citizen of the year, noting her work on the Little Cousin Jasper Festival.  Some 100 people were on hand last night for the dinner. 

• Iroquois Memorial Hospital receives gift from Iroquois Federal

Iroquois Memorial Hospital has announced they've gotten a 50-thousand-dollar gift from the Iroquois Federal Foundation to support the hospital's new Rehabilitation Therapy Center, which is set to break ground next spring. In a press release, IMH says the center will expand the hospital's outpatient rehabilitation services and serve as a centralized hub for physical, occupational and speech therapy.

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It is official: The Village of Bradley is partnering with global toy giant Mattel to bring iconic brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price to a new water park development along I-57.

In this WVLI New Update Special Report, we sit down with Bradley Mayor Mike Watson to break down the massive sub-license agreement with Project Play Holdings LLC. Mayor Watson reveals how this partnership transforms the project from a local facility into a regional "Mattel Wonder" destination intended to compete with major hubs like the Wisconsin Dells.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Deal: Details on the 10-year agreement and the integration of Mattel’s corporate architects.
• The Financials: How the branding is projected to boost revenue by 30% to nearly $40 million annually.
• The Location: Confirmation of the 40-acre site at I-57 and Exit 315 (behind the Holiday Inn Express/Hampton Inn).
• The Expansion: Why the attached hotel plans have doubled from 150 to 300 rooms.
• The Future: Mayor Watson discusses the potential for a larger "Mattel Campus."

Tune in for the full timeline on when shovels hit the ground and when the Village expects to open the doors.

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Mattel coming to the Village of Bradley’s waterpark

Mattel, the toy manufacturer behind such iconic brands as Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price, will be a big part of the waterpark the Village of Bradley plans to break ground on next year. A resolution to sign a sub-license agreement between Bradley and Project Play Holdings LLC to use Mattel brands on the new waterpark was passed at last night’s village board meeting. Mayor Mike Watson explains what this means.  Mayor Watson says the Mattel license agreement is good for ten years and is expected to bring in an additional twenty five to thirty percent in revenue for the waterpark. Bradley Trustees also passed a resolution to purchase the last six acres of property needed to build the waterpark along I-57 near exit 315 by the Holiday and Hampton hotels.

Powerball rolls over (again)

The Powerball jackpot is rolling over again, coming closer to the billion-dollar mark with no grand prize winner in Monday night's drawing.  That means at least 930-million dollars will be on the line the next time the numbers are drawn on Wednesday.  

Africano issues apology

Kankakee County Treasurer Nick Africano has issued a public apology following an incident last week that saw him charged with disorderly conduct. On his Facebook page, Africano said during last Wednesday night's incident, he allowed his emotions to get the better of him and went on to say that the tone and manner he used with law enforcement fell short of what he called the standards he expects of himself. The misdemeanor charge stemmed from an argument that happened after another man alleged Africano rear-ended his car at the intersection of Court Street and Kennedy Drive.

Man battered after road rage incident in Kankakee

Kankakee City Police are investigating after they were called by a man Sunday afternoon who told them another man had battered him following a road rage incident. According to reports, the victim told police he'd been driving his car when he noticed another car behind him. The man said after a while, the alleged offender sped past him, but ended up behind him again. The victim said he got out of his car in the 300 block of North Dearborn Avenue to ask the alleged offender what the problem was, and that was when the offender allegedly head-butted the victim in the mouth. The victim said he didn't know who the other man was. City Police are looking into the incident.

Kankakee City Police make gun arrest

Kankakee City Police report a pair of arrests after a call about a man with a gun in his car. According to reports, it was just after two Saturday afternoon when officers were called to the 300 block of North Wildwood Avenue. When they got there, officers say they saw one car leave the scene and another trying to leave. Reports say the second car got stuck in the snow and those inside eventually got out. One of the alleged offenders was taken into custody by juvenile officers. City Police say they arrested 24-year-old Nathaniel D. Rogers-Pizano for Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Fleeing and Eluding Police among other charges.

St. Anne man reports being hit in the head 

Kankakee County Sheriff's Police are investigating after a St. Anne man said he'd been hit in the back of the head with a metal baton. According to reports, the victim told deputies he'd been riding his bike near the Shell station in Aroma Park when he saw a man who believes he's owed money by the victim, pass him and turn around to come toward him. The victim said he eluded the man, but was later confronted by the alleged offender on Front Street. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries. Deputies continue to look for the alleged offender. 

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