Governor Bruce Rauner Calls for More Funding for Schools During Speech at Illinois Valley School

Some DePue High School students got a real-life civics lesson Friday as Governor Bruce Rauner made a rare appearance in the Illinois Valley.

The Republican Rauner stopped by the school to meet with students, parents, and teachers who he says are “our most important resource.” He said school funding has suffered for years, and he feels that should change immediately.

Governor Rauner also said he’s “furious” that education and social services have been cut due to the lack of a state budget, because he had made large donations to many of them in the past. The state of Illinois is in its tenth month without a state budget, and will be the last state to pass one.

KISS added to the state fair lineup

Despite no budget, the state is ready to pay some big name singers and bands to play at this year’s Illinois State Fair.

The latest concert announcement is KISS. The rockers will play the fair Wednesday, August 17th.

Four of the five nights of grandstand concerts will be country performers. The lineup is: Jake Owen; Dierks Bentley; Cole Swindell; and Little Big Town. The other classic rock show besides KISS is Gregg Allman opening up for ZZ Top.

Ticket prices range from $19 to $74. The fair runs August 12th-21st.

State Police in La Salle taken back by fatal crash numbers

You’ll be seeing more state police on county highways again as they continue to work on stopping an alarming trend.

The trend is car crash deaths, which in Bureau County are up more than 700% from their average over the last 5 years. LaSalle County is more than 250% higher than its average.

Master Sergeant Dave Keltner with the Illinois State Police said crash deaths are up statewide, but nothing like in the Illinois Valley. He says something unique about some of the crashes helps police figure out the cause to be distracted driving.

Keltner says State Police have gotten money from the federal government to help pay for their increased presence, which he says does help to prevent these kinds of accidents.

Peru hospital hosting a Career Fair

Working in the healthcare field can be a rewarding experience.

Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru is having a Career Fair Tuesday from noon until 6. Bring your resume and see about job openings in nursing, physical therapy, and lab technicians. Department managers will do mini-interviews on the spot.

To save time, you can apply online by clicking IVCH Career Fair

Downtown dining destination in Ottawa coming back after a fire

One of the trendiest places to drink and dine in Ottawa is getting ready to reopen after a devastating kitchen fire.

Owners of C230 have put out a Facebook message saying they are happy to announce C230 is re-opening. The message says while they cleared the biggest hurdles, there’s no exact re-opening date yet.

A stove left unattended started a kitchen fire at the restaurant back on September 14th. The damage estimate was put at well over $100,000.

C230 is on Madison Street across the road from Ottawa City Hall.

Gas prices hold steady across the Illinois Valley

The good news at the pump is that gas is staying under two dollars a gallon in the Illinois Valley. The bad news is that the price of gas is still hovering around the two dollar mark.

According to GasBuddy.com, the cheapest gas this week in the Illinois Valley is in La Salle where you can find unleaded for $1.79 a gallon. Peru and Streator stations have gas for $1.81 while in Mendota gas is holding steady at $1.99 a gallon.

The statewide average for unleaded is $2.07, which is the same as last week.

The governor is coming to DePue

Seemingly for the first time since being elected governor, Republican Bruce Rauner is visiting the Illinois Valley.

The governor is planning to stop at DePue High School this afternoon at 2:15. He’s expected to focus on school funding and education reforms.

Many small school districts like DePue have at least looked at making staff or program cuts in some part due to lack of state funding.

Attempt by Congressman Kinzinger to stop shrinking airline seats defeated in the Senate

If you’re a larger individual, here’s some bad news.

A proposed bill trying to stop airlines from shrinking the size of airplane seats has failed in the U.S. Senate. Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger pushed the “Safe Egress in Air Travel Act” or SEAT Act.

His proposal would have required airlines to have a minimum seat size. Kinzinger says seats have been shrinking and the spaces between rows have shrunk over the years. The reason for the bill is said to be for the safety of passengers, not to address the possibility that passengers are getting bigger.

Economy-class seats have shrunk on average from 18 inches wide to 16.5 inches.