Congressman Adam Kinzinger to Visit Princeton, Ottawa Thursday

While Congress isn’t in session, your U.S. Representative is taking time to come back to the Illinois Valley to get some work done in his district.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger will start his afternoon in Bureau County on Thursday with a tour at Gardner Denver. Then, he’s headed to LaSalle County for a Veteran Commendation Event at City Hall in Ottawa at 4:30.

Federal lawmakers are due back in Washington on August 1^st, when Congress will reconvene.

Kinzinger is also seeking his 4^th term in November. He is currently running unopposed.

Mautino Misses Deadline for Campaign Disclosure Reports, Could Face Public Hearing

CHICAGO (AP) –  Auditor General Frank Mautino didn’t file amended campaign disclosure reports and could face a public hearing, according to Illinois Board of Elections officials

Election board executive director Steve Sandvoss says Mautino didn’t file the amended reports by Monday’s deadline. The hearing would look into Mautino’s use of campaign money while serving in the Illinois House.

The investigations cover the Spring Valley Democrat’s time as a legislator, including over $200,000 spent at an alderman-owned service station. Republicans are pushing him to step aside and earlier this month filed a resolution aimed at removing him from office.

Mautino has acknowledged cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s office. His spokesman said Tuesday that Mautino had no comment.

Lawmakers appointed Mautino to a 10-year term in October after a bipartisan recommendation.

Medical helicopter called to the scene of a crash near Tiskilwa

A medical helicopter landed Wednesday morning in Bureau County after a rollover crash east of Tiskilwa.

The 9-1-1 call came in just before 8 about a one car crash near the Tiskilwa Bottom Road. Two people were hurt with at least one them trapped inside the crashed car.

Princeton and Tiskilwa firefighters responded to the scene along with Bureau County deputies. One person was taken away by the Life Flight helicopter while the other involved was taken by ambulance.

Ottawa Police looking to make back to school shopping easier for families

No one wants their child to show up on the first day of school without school supplies. You can help make sure kids in Ottawa are taken care of.

Names are now being accepted for the annual “Shop with a Cop” program in Ottawa. The police department is looking for less fortunate children to take back to school shopping.
Parents, family members, friends, and teachers can submit the name of a child to the Ottawa PD by next Wednesday. A time will then be set for the child to go school supply shopping with an officer before school starts.

You can find applications at the Ottawa Police or by clicking Ottawa Shop with a Cop

Officers statewide promote “Speed Awareness Day”

Police across the state are asking you to ease off the gas pedal just a bit as part of a program promoting safety for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians.

Wednesday is Illinois Speed Awareness Day, and it looks to call attention to the 348 deaths last year from crashes where police say speed was a factor. They say excessive speed played a role in nearly one-third of all traffic deaths.

In the Illinois Valley, the Mendota Police Department is looking to raise awareness as well. Police Chief Tom Smith says part of the reason the Mendota Police Department is participating in the program is because speed-related incidents in the city seem to be on the rise.

Speed Awareness Day comes at a time when driving in the Illinois Valley is more hazardous. LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties are all on pace to have more fatal crashes this year than in 2015.

Attack ads continue against Illinois Valley Democrat

Already being portrayed as a robot taking orders from Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, State Representative Andy Skoog is now apparently a chess piece.

The latest mailing attacking the Democrat from La Salle shows an image of Madigan holding a chess piece with Skoog’s head on it. The mailer says Skoog is Madigan’s pawn to push a tax and spend agenda. Democratic senate candidate Chris Benson of Ottawa also is part of a chess piece on the back of the flier. She’s challenging Republican State Senator Sue Rezin.

The Illinois Republican Party put out the mailing. They’ve also sent out robocalls painting a picture of Skoog and Madigan hanging out on a beach together sipping cocktails.

When asked about the attack ads, Skoog has said his time is better spent listening to concerns of people in the 76th District.

Henry Police warn parents about irresponsible “Pokemon Go” players

Beware young Pokemon Go players in Henry, police officers are watching.

The Henry Police Department posted a message on their Facebook page saying they got complaints that 14 and 15-year-old kids were illegally driving golf carts and off-road vehicles, possibly playing Pokemon Go. The problem is in Henry it’s illegal for the kids to be driving on the roadway and also illegal for anyone to be driving a golf cart without having a driver’s license for at least two years.

Officers are asking parents to take control of their property.