Crash in Streator closes stretch of road and has driver life flighted to Peoria

A man crashed into a tree in Streator Wednesday morning and was flown to Peoria for medical treatment.

According to the Streator Police Department, they got a call just before 5:30 about a suspicious vehicle on East 12th Street in the south side of town. Officers say they found a vehicle had crashed into a tree. The 23-year-old driver was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital before being flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

12th Street from Ottercreek Street to Illinois Street is closed while police investigate the crash scene.

Mendota driver accused in hit and run crash in Spring Valley

A Mendota man has been arrested for his alleged part in a hit and run that sent the victim to a Peoria hospital.

Saul Hernandez was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Spring Valley Police Department. He was picked up for failing to report an accident and failing to render aid. Hernandez was released with a court date.

Hernandez is accused of hitting 26-year-old Kyle Daly of Spring Valley Sunday morning as Daly was walking on Route 89. Daly was flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria where he’s listed in serious condition.

Ottawa City Council sends message to Governor Bruce Rauner

You can officially consider Ottawa a union friendly city.

The city council Tuesday night passed a resolution they say “protects the middle class” by promising to not pass a “right to work” ordinance. Ottawa Mayor Bob Eschbach says they are not interested in right-to-work and they oppose the idea of doing away with prevailing wages. The city is sending the resolution to legislative leaders and Governor Bruce Rauner.

Rauner has talked about “empowerment zones” where cities can decide if contracted workers should be forced to join a union. He also wants to end prevailing wage laws which set a minimum for contracted workers to be paid.

Ousted alderman in Peru has his sights set on becoming mayor

There’s at least one candidate for mayor in Peru for the 2017 election.

Former alderman Rodney Perez before leaving the council Monday night announced that he will run for mayor in two years. Perez says while one door closed, another opened for the 2017 mayor’s race.

Current Mayor Scott Harl says with so much going on in Peru and much still to do he hasn’t had a chance to think about the next election and whether he will seek another term.

Big rain amounts for the Illinois Valley

Wednesday is a day to dry out in the Illinois Valley.

There are plenty of puddles of water around after steady rain between Monday and Tuesday morning. During that time, nearly two inches of rain fell in La Salle according to the National Weather Service. Oglesby had over an inch and a half while Peru, Ottawa, Mendota, Seneca and Marseilles all had over an inch in 24 hours.

The next chance of rain is Thursday night.

La Salle leaders hope new speed bump keeps kids safe around swimming pool

It won’t be long before kids will come from all over to use the La Salle swimming pool. A safety measure is being put in near the pool to keep kids safe from speedy drivers.

The La Salle City Council voted  to install a speed bump on Tonti Street near the city pool during the summer months. The move came after people living near the pool asked for the speed bump, citing a combination of reckless drivers and an abundance of children in the area during the summer.

While the idea passed unanimously, some council members said they didn’t want every neighborhood petitioning for a speed bump, and warned they wouldn’t vote yes next time around.

Council members think the cost of the speed bump is about $400.

Fog covers the Illinois Valley before giving way to warm and sunny day

Give yourself extra time to get where you need to be this morning.

Fog is widespread across northern Illinois this morning. Visibility in some spots is a quarter mile or less.

The fog should start lifting mid-morning.