Judge rules state workers can’t get full pay without a budget

CHICAGO (AP) – A Cook County judge has ruled Illinois may not continue to pay state workers in full during an ongoing budget impasse.

Judge Diane Joan Larsen ruled Thursday that State Comptroller Leslie Munger may pay only some workers who are covered under a federal law. Those workers would receive federal minimum wage plus overtime.

But attorneys for Munger say it would take the state as long as a year to determine which employees would be paid under federal law and how much. They say that effectively means no workers will be paid until Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the Legislature approve a budget.

La Salle looking to spruce up another part of downtown

The beautification of downtown La Salle continues with a streetscape project on the Route 351 entry way.

The city is asking the state’s permission to put in brand new sidewalks on both sides of Route 351 between Canal and First Streets. The sidewalks will feature decorative bricks and the city will also landscape the block on both sides.

They hope to have the improvements done by the end of August.

Marshall-Putnam County Fair returns for 94th year

Fair season is officially underway and the next one happens this week in Henry.

The 94th annual Marshall-Putnam Fair begins Wednesday at the Route 29 fairgrounds in Henry. Wednesday’s activities include the opening of the carnival plus harness racing, BMX stunt shows and a kick-off dinner.

On Thursday, there are craft and vendor booths and a family fun night. Friday features an antique tractor show and the demolition derby. Saturday includes a kiddie tractor pull, a potato and decorated diaper contest, and live music.

The Marshall-Putnam Fair ends Sunday with a truck and tractor pull, a bocce ball tournament, a golf cart show and a chain saw carving auction.

Mendota Police searching for clues after bricks were thrown as passing cars

Imagine one second you’re driving along minding your own business when in an instant a brick is smashing into your vehicle.

According to the Mendota Police Department, several vehicles were damaged by flying bricks early Tuesday as drivers were in the 900 block of 6th Avenue. The bricks came from the side of the road, not from an overpass.

If you have information on who was throwing the bricks, call Mendota Crime Stoppers or the Mendota Police Department. You could get a reward if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.

June was one for the record books when it comes to rainfall

June was a really wet month and the numbers are out to prove it.

According to the National Weather Service, nearly 16 inches of rain fell last month in Morris, the wettest June since records started being kept over 100 years ago. Marseilles had over 12 inches in June, the average is around 4 inches.

Earlville, Ottawa, Mendota, Paw Paw and Streator all had over nine inches of rain last month, more than double their average for June.

The fight against cancer continues with overnight relay event in Mendota

If you notice a little more purple than usual this week in Mendota it’s for a good cause.

The annual Relay for Life of the Upper Illinois Valley is back this Saturday starting at 6 at Lake Mendota. The relay goes through the night before a closing ceremony around 6 Sunday morning.

This is the sixth annual Relay for Life in Mendota. So far over $65,000 has been raised online with over 30 teams signed up.

Money raised goes to the American Cancer Society.