Illinois Quick Hits: Tornadoes, storms cause damage, outages
(The Center Square) – The National Weather Service will be conducting storm surveys in the wake of severe storms that impacted the Midwest on Thursday.
Tornadoes were reported in LaSalle and Livingston counties and also in northwest Indiana.
Numerous communities suffered storm and wind damage, and ComEd reported outages for about 486,000 customers in its northern Illinois territory.
HELP SOUGHT IN GALESBURG DEATH INVESTIGATION
Illinois State Police are seeking public assistance with an investigation into the death of a Rochelle man in 2018.
The body of Tyler Smith, 23, was found in Cedar Fork Creek in Galesburg on Sept. 15, 2018. ISP says the circumstances surrounding Smith’s death remain undetermined after a second autopsy and ongoing investigation.
Anyone with direct knowledge of the incidents leading up to the death of Tyler Smith is urged to contact ISP Sergeant Luke Kuehl at 815-632-4010, Ext 230, or to submit a tip on ISP’s investigative tips website.
MADIGAN SENTENCING ANNIVERSARY IS SATURDAY
Saturday is the one-year anniversary of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s sentencing on public corruption charges.
On June 13, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced Madigan to 7.5 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay a fine of $2.5 million.
Madigan, 84, reported to a federal prison camp in Morgantown, West Virginia on Oct. 13, 2025. According to the Bureau of Prisons, the former speaker’s scheduled release date is Dec. 4, 2031.
WHOLESALE COST INDEX RISES FOR SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis says the Producer Price Index for final demand rose 1.1% in May, following a similar increase in April.
The index representing the wholesale cost of U.S. goods and services had not previously seen an increase of more than 1% since March 2022.
Latest News Stories
Will County Public Works Approves Access for 56-Acre Truck Services Hub on Manhattan-Monee Road
Crest Hill Homeowner Granted Side Yard Setback Variance for Accessible Addition
State Update: County Officials Raise Alarms Over Pritzker’s ADU Zoning Push and Data Center Tax Breaks
Committee Approves $317K Guardrail Maintenance Contract Amid Discussion on Installation Dangers
Will County Approves Diamond Enterprise Zone Expansion to Support $355 Million Energy Investment
Federal Update: DHS Shutdown, War Powers, and Housing Legislation Dominate Washington
Will County Corporate Revenues Surpass Expectations, Igniting Debate Over Delinquent Tax Sales
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee for March 3, 2026
Will County Grants Extensions for Seven Solar and Commercial Projects Amid Permitting Delays
Land Use Committee Approves 4.98-Megawatt Solar Facility on Eagle Lake Road Near Peotone
Will County Advances Nearly $1.5 Million in Right-of-Way and Improvement Agreements for Weber, Gougar, and Laraway Roads
Public Works Committee: Approves $1.59 Million Contract for Scheer Road Bridge Replacement in Green Garden Township
Will County Board Backs $10 Million State Public Health Grant Increase Amid Funding Cuts