Local shop owners plan for Small Business Saturday

Local store owners are hoping you’ll save some cash for Small Business Saturday, the day after black Friday.

Denise Bernabei and her husband own Sasso’s Jewelry and Gifts in La Salle.  She says shopping local puts more money back into the local economy. 

They won’t be open on Thanksgiving but they will be Friday and of course Saturday.  She says Small Business Saturday grows more popular each year.  And she credits the other local business owners in La Salle for working together.

Sasso is one of many stores that will be open for Small Business Saturday. 

You can learn more about it by listening to an interview available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

La Salle County Declared A Federal Disaster Area

While you have every right to say the federal government usually doesn’t act fast there exceptions from time to time.

A day after Governor Pat Quinn asked that 15 Illinois counties including La Salle and Grundy be declared federal disaster areas, President Barack Obama said yes to the request.  People in towns like Dana, Coal City and Washington can apply for grants up to $32,000 for things like property replacement, medical, dental and funeral expenses if not covered by insurance.  Businesses can go after low-interest loans of up to $2,000,000.

Six people were killed in Illinois during the November 17^th storms.  Nearly a thousand homes were destroyed.

Pension Talks Will Restart Next Week In Springfield

CHICAGO (AP) – Your state representative Frank Mautino will be back working in Springfield next week. The Illinois House will convene for a special session on the state’s pension crisis.

Both the House and Senate had tentatively set two days aside next week to meet. House Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief of staff emailed representatives, telling them to expect a one-day session starting Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m.

Senate President John Cullerton’s spokeswoman says senators still have the days on the books and there has been no change for now.

Kinzinger Seeking Third Term In Congress

Your congressman officially wants another term in Washington, D.C.

Republican Adam Kinzinger filed his re-election papers Monday.  He was first elected in 2010 and says filing his petitions is the “first step on a journey to renew America”.  Kinzinger turned in nearly three times more signatures that were needed.

He will face a primary election challenge from Rockford Tea Party leader David Hale.  Hale also turned in his signed election petitions Monday.

Huge La Salle Christmas Light Display Not Happening This Year

A Christmas light display that draws hundreds if not thousands each year to the east end of La Salle will be dark this year.

Scott Weber says due to time constraints, he and his family will take the year off from doing their Christmas Light show.  Weber says he’s saddened not to do the display this year but does hope to have more time next year.

In the last six years the Weber display in the Senica Subdivision has collected over $40,000 and 11,000 pounds of food for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

Governor Wants Federal Government To Help La Salle County Storm Recovery

The ball is in the feds court in deciding whether or not to give assistance to La Salle and 14 other counties hit by a tornado outbreak.

Governor Pat Quinn yesterday formally asked President Barack Obama to declare La Salle, Grundy and 13 other Illinois counties federal disaster areas.  Doing so would mean people and businesses affected by the storms could apply for grants and low-interest loans.

Over 700 homes were damaged by the November 17^th storms and 6 people were killed in Illinois.