IDOT and Amtrak negotiate contract

Do you use Amtrak? Illinois Department of Transportation and Amtrak announced Friday an agreement to keep existing service levels on state-supported routes at a savings to taxpayers and at no change to fares. The agreement through June 30 – the current fiscal year – will cost $38.3 million compared to $42 million in the last fiscal year.

IDOT used credits – such as equipment upgrades – and negotiatiating a $2.7 million dollar reduction from Amtrak’s original request for equipment maintenance. All state supported daily round trips end in Chicago. In total, there are 4 routes originating in St. Louis, 2 in Quincy, 2 in Carbondale and 7 daily round trips from Milwaukee. Wisconsin routes are 75% covered by Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

State Police Plan to Be Out Sunday to Prevent Drunk, Distracted, Dangerous Driving

State police aren’t hiding the fact that they will be out in force tomorrow looking for drunk and distracted drivers.

According to the state, alcohol was a contributing factor in one-third of all traffic deaths in 2014. State Trooper Jason Wilson says the risk is particularly high in places like the Illinois Valley, where getting where you’re going to watch the game almost certainly involves driving.

Wilson says the cops aren’t out just to try and make arrests, they’re actually trying to prevent having to do something more difficult:

“The absolute worst thing a police officer does,” Wilson says, “is go to a loved one’s house and unfortunately destroy that family by giving them the grievous information that their loved one isn’t coming home.”

He says police understand people are going to have fun watching the game. The key, though, is to make a plan beforehand and stick to it, instead of relying on impulsive and impaired judgment to get home.

Skoog meets with business owners

Besides operating a business, some owners belong to an advisory committee started by State Representative Andy Skoog. The committee met at the IVAC office recently to share with Skoog their concerns of maintaining job training programs, tourism promotion money, regulatory challenges and workforce development issues.

The LaSalle Democrat stated he wants to advocate for policies in Springfield that encourage investment in our communities, so, it’s important, he said,  for me to hear from local business owners on the issues facing them.

DeKalb Deputies Arrest Somonauk Teen on Child Sex Charges

A Somonauk teen is facing heavy felony charges after accusations of sex crimes with a child.

18-year old Austin Burnett was picked up by DeKalb County Deputies yesterday night. His arrest follows an investigation by DeKalb and Somonauk Police into an 18-year old allegedly having sexual contact with a person under the age of 13.

Burnett was charged with 2 counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child and 2 Counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse.

He is being held at the DeKalb County Jail pending a bond hearing.

Bow-And-Arrow Shooter to Admit Killing, but Claims Self-Defense

The Varna man who was charged in a bow-and-arrow killing over Father’s Day outside IVCC plans to admit to the killing, but believes it was justified.

According to the NewsTribune, Bradley French asked a judge to postpone his trial so that his lawyer could file a motion claiming the killing was in self-defense. French allegedly shot Joshua Scaman with an arrow last year.

Under Illinois law, French’s defense requires advance notice which is why the trial is being pushed back. If his defense doesn’t work, French is looking at 20 to 60 years in jail.

Two Arrested After Multiple Thefts in Peru

Peru Police have two people in custody who are suspected to be involved in a number of felony retail theft cases in the city.

Just before seven Friday night, Peru officers responded to a call about another possible theft in progress at the Peru Target. During that call they arrested 35-year old Sarah Little from Peoria and 19-year old Jaxon King from Lacon.

According to Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei, the two are believed to have been involved with the January 31^st and February 2^nd Target thefts, as well as a February 2^nd theft from a Peru Gamestop.

Little and King were both taken to LaSalle County jail and given felony charges for the thefts.