Illinois unemployment rate falls to 10.1%

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 10.1% in August.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says August represents the eighth consecutive month the rate was steady or declined. It was down slightly from July’s rate of 10.3 %.

IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell says the long-term trend of falling unemployment may not be felt yet in local neighborhoods.

But she says creating jobs, retaining workers and encouraging investment will help Illinois recover from the recession.

There were 671,400 people unemployed in August, about 12,000 fewer than in the previous month. The Illinois economy lost about 4,200 jobs in August due to declines in government-related jobs and Census 2010 positions.

Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August was 9.6%.

Alleged Cocaine Dealer Tracked Down In Bloomington

The U.S. Marshall’s Service helped to bring down an alleged drug dealer from Streator.

Aaron Liptak was arrested yesterday in Bloomington by the marshall’s service and Bloomington Police for allegedly selling cocaine while he lived in Streator.  He’s charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony.  Investigators say they were able to buy cocaine from Liptak.

He was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

La Salle Native Named Top Judge

A man born in La Salle is the new Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Illinois Supreme Court has unanimously picked Justice Thomas Kilbride to become Chief Justice October 26^th.  He replaces Thomas Fitzgerald who is retiring because of health reasons.

Kilbride’s term as Chief runs through October of 2013.  He was elected to the Supreme Court’s Third Judicial District in 2000.  Kilbride represents 21 counties including Bureau, La Salle and Putnam counties.

Volunteers gear up to clean the Illinois River

The Illinois River is down, meaning there will be plenty of shoreline exposed for Saturday’s Illinois River Sweep.  It’s the 10^th year for the clean-up effort that’s part of the statewide event, “It’s Our River Day.”

Volunteers are needed to work along the shore or on the water picking up debris and garbage.

Organizing it in Peru are Dave Lourie and Amanda Glover with TEST.  Lourie says it’s grown a lot in the past 10 years.

Registration is from eight until 10 at the Peru boat landing.  You should wear work shoes and pants.  They’ll provide you with a shirt and gloves.  They’ll serve breakfast and lunch.  It usually takes a couple of hours.

They hope to have at least 100 volunteers.  Volunteers 16 and under you’ll need a parent or guardian.

Similar efforts are taking place in Ottawa and Hennepin.

Deer Hunting Rules Changed At Catlin Park

Hunters are getting more time this year to kill deer at Catlin Park outside of Ottawa.

The La Salle County Board this week passed changes to deer hunting at the park.  The public won’t be allowed at Catlin Park on Mondays thru Thursdays in October to try and attract more bow hunters to handle the deer overpopulation.

Hunters also can now kill one antlered deer in the park for each non-antlered one that is killed.  Before, hunting at Catlin Park was only antlerless deer.

Another change for the upcoming season is that hunters 14 to 17 years old can hunt with a parent or guardian who is a registered hunter.

Special Needs Driver Accused Of Driving Drunk On Job

A woman in charge of busing special needs children around for the Ottawa Elementary School District is charged with aggravated DUI.

52 year old Jan Butler of Ottawa was indicted this week on the drunken driving charge.  She was arrested May 20^th after investigators say the school SUV she was driving overshot a driveway and backed into a car.  Butler had three special needs student in the SUV at the time.  Police say her blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

Butler is currently out of jail but La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says his office has filed a motion to increase her bond amount.

New Wal-Mart Still In Works For Streator

In what may sound like a broken record, officials say plans are moving forward for a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Streator.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new store was held in 2008 yet there are still no signs of a Wal-Mart on the north end of town.  Streator City Manager Paul Nicholson though says the project is out for bid, with bids due next month.  He says building permits have all been issued and paid.

The store is supposed to go up at the intersection of Marilla Park Road and Route 23.

Streator Library Renovation Plans Continue

Renovations to the Streator Public Library can move ahead after the city agreed to loan the money.

The Streator City Council this week passed an ordinance that issues general obligations bonds for up to 800 thousand dollars over a 20-year period.  Library officials have already received a 50 thousand dollars grant to help keep the over-century old building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  They want to add a handicap accessible-restroom and second entrance for people with disabilities as part of the renovation.

The bidding process for renovations could start next week.