Flu season revs up for early start in Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) – Seasonal flu is making an earlier appearance in Illinois this year.

Figures released Friday by the Illinois Department of Public Health show more people getting sick, more positive lab tests and more people hospitalized compared to this time last year.

The story is similar throughout Illinois. A suburban Chicago high school closed briefly last week because a quarter of the students were absent with flu-like illnesses.

So far this season, 115 people have been admitted to Illinois hospital intensive care units with influenza, according to the state health department flu data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Illinois is one of 14 states where the flu is already widespread and it’s one of six states where doctor’s offices are seeing influenza-like illness at rates much higher than average.

Police called to mall for alleged shoplifter

The stores are busy with shoppers or shoplifters. Jamie Wennmacher of Leland was arrested for two counts of retail theft after the police were called to the Peru Mall Thursday. Wennmacher is accused of taking items from Marshall’s and The Buckle. She’s also accused of a having a small amount of marijuana and something to smoke it with. She was released with a notice to appear.