Driver Sent To Hospital After Hitting Tree In La Salle

A man had to be helped out of his truck after a crash along Interstate 80 in La Salle.

La Salle officers and firefighters got a 911 call around 9:30 this morning about a pickup truck that hit a tree along the eastbound exit ramp.  The driver complained of leg and head pain.

He was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

State Police Urge Safety During Most Recent Storm

With another snowstorm, state police have enacted a “winter weather travel advisory”.

During this time, if you get in a non-injury crash with another driver, just exchange insurance information and file a report at a later time.  You have up to 10 days to file a crash report with District 17 in La Salle.

Also remember the “move-over law” where you’re required to slow down, and change lanes away from emergency vehicles.  If you don’t, you could get fined, lose your license or even do jail time.

Heavy Snow Impacts The Illinois Valley

By time the snow ends Saturday evening, anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow will have fallen in most of the Illinois Valley.

A Winter Storm Warning continues until 6 Saturday evening.  At times snow could fall at an inch or more per hour making visibility really tough while driving.

The National Weather Service says heavy snow is also possible next Tuesday into Wednesday.

Republican Gubernatorial Race Heating Up

CHICAGO (AP) – An attorney for an employee in state Treasurer Dan Rutherford’s office says her client has filed “serious” and “troubling” allegations against him with a state inspector general.

Christine Svenson says the claims have nothing to do with politics. She says she did only brief legal work for Rauner last year and has “no horse in the primary race.”

Rutherford is seeking the Republican nomination for governor. At a news conference  Friday, he accused rival candidate Bruce Rauner of being behind the allegations.

Rutherford says Svenson had been on Rauner’s payroll. He also says she demanded $300,000 on the employee’s behalf to “walk away and keep it under wraps.”

A Rauner spokesman denied any involvement.

Should Schools Be Polling Places?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A new bill would let schools opt out of serving as polling places.

The bill would let school boards determine if schools could be safely opened to voters. School boards would determine if they could enforce normal safety protocol on Election Day. School board officials would then file a written notice with local election officers if they couldn’t.

Supporters of the bill say allowing voters in schools is an unnecessary risk.