Rain Wreaks Havoc On Memorial Day Remembrances

Mother Nature didn’t cooperate with Memorial Day services in the Illinois Valley.

Due to wet weather, outdoor services planned in DePue, Peru and Spring Valley all were moved indoors Monday.  You can hear the Spring Valley service in its entirety starting just after 6 Monday night on AM 1220 WLPO.

Also those of you who missed Morgan Wilson’s Memorial Day tribute Saturday morning or would like to listen again, the show is available on AM 1220wlpo.com by clicking the link to “extended content” and then “audio archives”.  You’ll find Morgan’s link at the bottom of the page.

Rainy Week Ahead For The Illinois Valley

A Flood Warning remains in effect for southwestern La Salle County until 2:30 Monday afternoon.

Heavy rains in the last 24 hours have fallen across the listening area.  At one point Sunday evening, Interstate 80 near Atkinson was closed in both directions because of water over the road.

The chance of showers and thunderstorms continues through the entire work week.

Unclaimed War Medals Piling Up In Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The state of Illinois is holding more than a 100 lost or forgotten military medals in its vaults under the capitol and is trying to return them to the families of veterans.

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is asking people to take a moment over Memorial Day weekend to see if they recognize the names on a list of veterans whose military honors are held by the state.

The 108 medals span more than a century of conflicts with one dating back to the 1898 Spanish-American War. There are Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars and a Navy Cross.

Many of the items come from safe deposit boxes that have been forgotten. Banks eventually transfer the contents to the treasurer’s office.

The veterans’ names can be found at http://www.treasurer.il.gov.

Guide Available For Illinois Veterans

CHICAGO (AP) – The Illinois Attorney General’s office has updated a guide to federal and state benefits for service members and veterans.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office says the 2013 edition of Benefits for Illinois Veterans is available in time for Memorial Day. It features updates for veterans retraining programs and services for homeless veterans. The more than 150-page book also has information for military families and survivors.

Digital copies are available online at http://bit.ly/14TcsUa

Chicago Pastors Speak Out Against Expanded Gambling

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A group of Chicago area pastors are opposed to adding five more casinos in Illinois.

The pastors have sent a letter to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. It calls gambling an “unstable source of revenue” because of the social cost, including affecting people who can’t afford it and job loss. The letter also questions oversight of a Chicago casino, something that’s been a source of frustration for the Illinois Gaming Board.

The plan calls for casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Chicago’s south suburbs and Lake County. It’s cleared the Senate and awaits a House vote.

The bill is slated for a committee hearing Monday.