Renewed Call To Fill La Salle Veteran’s Home

For the third year in a row, beds remain empty at the La Salle Veteran’s Home because of inaction by the state.  That’s according to La Salle County Veteran’s Affairs Commission Superintendent Marty Rue.

Rue made a plea this week to the La Salle County Board to pressure Governor Pat Quinn to release budgeted money to the veteran’s home.  Rue says money is available to hire staff to open all 200 beds at the La Salle Veteran’s Home but Quinn won’t give authorization to spend the cash.  Instead Rue says the money ends up in the state’s general fund to be spent elsewhere.

Rue warned board members that once a new veteran’s home opens in Chicago, they will get the state’s money and attention over La Salle.

Santa Bound For Utica

It’s time for another parade in Utica.  This one centers on Santa Claus.

The village of Utica and Utica Fire Protection District are sponsoring a Christmas parade that starts at six tonight.  The parade starts in the Ridgeview Subdivision, and then goes to Oak Bluff Estates and to Senica Manor before winding through the streets of Utica and ending at the village hall around 7.

Once at the village hall, Santa Claus will be there to talk to children.

Police Not Taking Holiday Off

Don’t be surprised if you’re randomly stopped during the holiday season in Mendota.

Off-Duty Mendota Police Officers will be doing Roadside Safety Checkpoints during the holiday week.  They’re looking for drunk drivers and people not buckling up.

No warnings will be issued at the checkpoint.

Illinois Dealing With More Salmonella Cases

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois health officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak that’s sickened nearly 50
people in nine counties.

The Illinois Department of Public Health says many of the people who have become ill have reported eating alfalfa sprouts at Jimmy John’s restaurants.

IDPH officials say alfalfa sprout producers and suppliers are being investigated, and produce testing is ongoing.
The health department has received reports of 46 people falling ill since Nov. 1.

The affected counties are: Adams, Champaign, Cook, Kankakee, McHenry, McLean, Peoria, Will and Winnebago.