Panel recommends Mautino for Illinois Auditor General job

(AP) – A bipartisan panel has selected longtime state Rep. Frank Mautino to serve as Illinois’ next auditor general.

The Legislative Audit Commission voted Tuesday to recommend the Spring Valley Democrat to replace retiring Auditor General William Holland.

Mautino’s selection for the job of overseeing audits of state agencies must be approved by a three-fifth vote in the Illinois House and Senate.

Mautino has represented parts or all of Bureau, LaSalle, Livingston and Putnam counties since 1991. He’s served as deputy majority leader since 2011.

Holland announced in June he’ll retire Dec. 31. He’s served as auditor general since 1992.

The other finalists were Democratic state Rep. Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook, attorney Larry Sanders from Marion and Mary Modelski, who leads an audit division of California’s Alameda County.

Car stolen in Mendota

Mendota Police need your help to find a stolen car in Mendota.

Sometime between 5:30 and 9:30 last night, a black 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen from the 200 block of Ninth Avenue.

An automated call from the police department went out to Mendota residents shortly before 10 this morning advising them of the theft.

The car has an Illinois license plate of 399-7004. If you have any information on where the car is or about the theft, call the Mendota police department at 539-9331 or Mendota Crimestoppers at 538-7777.

Man who fell out of moving bus dies a week after the accident

If you’ve been following the story of a Spring Valley man falling out of a moving school bus, he has died.

Joseph Marchiando was pronounced dead Sunday night at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. He was flown there Saturday, September 26th after losing his balance and falling out the door of a moving school bus along Route 6 in Spring Valley.

The 48-year-old was part of a group that rented the bus to take them back and forth from a golf outing. Others on the bus say Marchiando was standing up talking to them when he fell down the bus’ steps.

The driver says she was slowing to make a turn and stopped the bus and called 9-1-1 as soon as Marchiando fell out.

Church sign vandalized after controversial message offends some

The debate over same-sex marriage has taken an ugly turn in Ottawa.

Last week, the sign out front of First Assembly of God Church in Ottawa read “Just because it’s legal, doesn’t make it right.” Not long after the message was displayed, Pastor Ron Johnson says someone vandalized the sign Friday night into Saturday morning. The vandalism done in marker included a pornographic symbol along with the peace sign, a heart and the message “hashtag pride.”

Johnson says the writing was done on both sides of their church sign and they did report it to police. He says the church’s message isn’t just about gay marriage but also issues like abortion and legalization of marijuana.

Johnson says the response to his church’s display has been mixed, but the majority seems to be in favor.