State Senator Rezin is optimistic about former Hennepin steel mill

Left-behind tools and machinery are being cleared out of the former Hennepin steel plant. IPS Steel bought the property from ArcellorMittal in November with plans to clean up the property and make it marketable to interested companies.

It’s a strategy State Senator Sue Rezin supports. She says the mill was a huge asset before it closed and says that you can look forward to this site becoming an economic and jobs engine again.

Kishan Sutariya of IPS Steel says inefficient buildings on the site are being torn down with their cement pads left in place for possible new buildings. He wants to see multiple businesses using the site.

The property is close to Interstate 180, the Illinois River and a rail line.

Streator man accused of indecent solicitation of a child

While many of the people being held in the La Salle County Jail face drug related charges, there are exceptions.

Stephen Heinzeroth of Streator was indicted Tuesday for two counts of indecent solicitation of a child. He’s being held with his bond set at $50,000.

La Salle downtown snow removal proposal fails

Getting anywhere, even if it is just to a store in downtown La Salle, can be hassle after a large snowfall. While many business owners will shovel the sidewalk in front of their store, not all do.

Aldermen Diz Demes and Jerry Reynolds last month proposed creating an ordinance that would require building owners to clear snow from the front of their property. The idea was discussed by the Street and Alley Committee Tuesday night.

Committee Chairman Jim Bacidore thought it would just create more work for city employees because they would end up clearing the sidewalks in front of empty buildings. Alderman John Duncan also didn’t like it and wanted to know the specifics.  Finally the committee agreed to suggest to the whole city council that they just send a letter to the businesses asking them to shovel.

An hour later, the suggestion of sending letters came up before the entire council and failed six to two with even Bacidore, the chairman of the committee, voting no. So business owners are still not required to shovel their sidewalk.

More measles cases in the suburbs

CHICAGO (AP) – Health officials say two more infants from a Palatine day care have measles, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Illinois to 10.

Chicago and Cook County health officials say nine of the 10 cases are associated with a KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine. All of the cases are among unvaccinated infants and adults.

The government recommends a first dose of measles vaccine for children ages 12 months to 15 months, with a second dose before starting kindergarten.

Regional economic development group wants to bring industry to the three-county area

Attracting new industry to La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties has become a regional effort. A group of public officials and business people have been meeting for a year to create a regional economic development group.

The group so far is just an interim committee but they want create a 13 to 15 member executive board according to Jeff Clawson, the City Manager of Princeton. Clawson says the idea came out of a discussion started by the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce, but the new group would be different from the chamber.  Clawson says it would be proactive in attracting business.

Clawson and Hennepin Mayor Kevin Coleman Tuesday night shared the group’s vision with the La Salle City Council. La Salle is one of many local towns they want to join them. Membership would cost a community approximately $1.30 per resident and towns are being asked to join for three years.

For La Salle that would be $12,000 a year.  La Salle Mayor Jeff Grove says he appreciates them coming to talk to the city council.  Grove, nor any aldermen indicated whether they think La Salle should get involved.