Illinois Quick Hits: Storms cause damage, closures
(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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees for August 2025
Poll: Voters like candidates supporting war on Alzheimer’s
U.S. LNG exports at new record in September on strong Louisiana shipments
Conservatives push Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger
Hamas agrees to release hostages; demands further negotiations
Report: Bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment policy
WATCH: U.S. military strikes another suspected drug boat, killing four
‘End the political idiocy’: Republicans lambast Dems for tanking funding bill again
Des Moines Public School system hired superintendent with extensive criminal history
Pro-life group calls FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill ‘unconscionable’
USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review
