Auditor General Frank Mautino Asks State Election Board to Delay Investigation

Illinois’ Auditor General Frank Mautino is asking the state elections board to delay its investigation of his campaign spending from when he was a state representative from the Illinois Valley.

Mautino’s attorney wants the state elections board to delay its investigation into the former 76^th District State Representative’s campaign spending while a federal investigation in being conducted.

Republican state Senator Sue Rezin joined more than 20 other elected officials in asking Mautino to step aside for now. Governor Bruce Rauner has also expressed concerns.

Mautino’s attorney said if the case is not delayed, the Auditor General could exercise his right against self-incrimination.

Long Point Man’s Body Found near Canoe in Vermilion River

The Ottawa River Rescue, along with Department of Conservation and several other crews worked together in a search with an unfortunate conclusion over the weekend.

A 31-year-old Long Point man’s body was found Sunday after a long search in the Vermilion River near Manville. The Livingston County Coroner’s office says an empty canoe led to the search in and along the river over the weekend.

The body was recovered Sunday night around 7:00 in the area where the canoe was found. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Livingston County Coroner. The coroner has ordered an autopsy, and the incident remains under investigation.

The name of the victim has not yet been released.

Illinois Flags to Fly at Half-Staff to Honor Orlando Victims

Flags will be flying at half-staff across the state this week in honor of the victims of the deadly terrorist attack at an Orlando nightclub.

Governor Bruce Rauner issued a statement following the shooting saying all U.S. and Illinois State Flags are to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Thursday. Rauner called the attack a “senseless tragedy” and “deplorable.” He also said the State of Illinois stands with the State of Florida.

At least 50 people were killed and more than 50 others wounded in the shooting which took place at an Orlando nightclub early Sunday morning.

Investigation Ongoing into Suspected Overdose Death of Morris Man

Police are still looking into the death of a Morris man who was found early Sunday morning.

Grundy County Coroner John Callahan says he was called around 5 on Sunday to the apartment where Ricardo Melendez lived with his mother. Callahan declared Melendez dead at the scene, saying the initial evidence pointed to a heroin overdose. Melendez is believed to have died late Saturday night.

More information is expected after a toxicology report is completed Monday. The coroner and Morris Police Departments are still investigating the incident.

Reddick, Hegeler Carus Mansions to Open Doors this Summer for Free to Active Duty Servicemen

A couple of historic landmarks in the Illinois Valley will be opening their doors for free to active duty military this summer as part of a national program.

Reddick Mansion in Ottawa and the Hegeler-Carus mansion in La Salle are both participating in the “Blue Star Museums” program again this year. The mansions are a couple of more than 2,000 museums across America that are offering free admission to all active military service personnel and their families through Labor Day.

The vice-president of the Reddick Mansion Association, Lorriane McCallister, says they’re looking forward to being part of the national appreciation program for the 4^th year.