The Illinois Tollway Board has voted to approve a more than $26 billion capital program funded by massive toll rate increases of approximately 60% for passenger vehicles beginning in January. The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors on Wednesday approved Driving Connections, a $26.5 billion capital program across the Tollway system through 2042, in a 8-0 […]
Category: State News
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Posted inState News
Severe storms moving into Lake and McHenry counties could bring ‘destructive’ winds of 80 mph, torrential rainfall
Forecasters have issued a watch for Lake and McHenry counties as severe thunderstorms with “destructive winds” of 80 mph and torrential rainfall are possible Tuesday morning into the afternoon. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe thunderstorm watch and hazardous weather outlook in effect until 2 p.m. Tuesday. The watch includes Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake, Will, Cook, […]
Posted inState News
‘Hazardous’ air quality from wildfire smoke continues in Chicagoland area as forecasters say conditions are improving
Hazardous air quality remains from Canada wildfire smoke that filled the Chicagoland area but forecasters say conditions are improving due to winds pushing it out. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day on Thursday and again on Friday for the Chicago area, including Rockford. The Red Forecast Air […]
Posted inState News
Wildfire smoke from Canada filling Chicagoland area, air quality alert issued advising people to limit outdoor time
Officials say wildfire smoke from Canada is filling the Chicagoland area and an air quality alert has been issued, with air quality levels over 300 in Lake County as people are being urged to limit outdoor time. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day for Thursday for the […]
Posted inState News
Illinois Secretary of State ends mandatory road tests for drivers as old as 86 under ‘Safety and Fairness Act’
The Secretary of State has ended mandatory driving tests for drivers as old as 86 in Illinois, saying it removes an “unnecessary burden” on them and is part of the “Safety and Fairness Act.” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced on Wednesday that his Road Safety & Fairness Act will go into effect next […]
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‘Powerful’ storm system to bring multiple rounds to Chicagoland area capable of producing tornadoes
A powerful storm system is expected to bring multiple rounds of storms, capable of producing tornadoes and destructive wind and hail, to the Chicagoland area Wednesday, forecasters said. The National Weather Service (NWS) said Tuesday that a powerful storm system will bring multiple rounds of thunderstorms on Wednesday, including the threat of a “dangerous outbreak” […]
Posted inState News
Severe weather moving through Lake and McHenry counties, knocking down trees and power lines
Forecasters have issued severe thunderstorm watches and warnings for Lake and McHenry counties as strong thunderstorms with damaging winds move through the area Wednesday afternoon. The National Weather Service (NWS) on Wednesday afternoon issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday. The watch included Lake, McHenry, Will, Kane, Cook, DuPage, Kendall and […]
Posted inLocal News
9 fire districts in Lake, McHenry counties receive equipment grants from state fire marshal
Nine different fire districts from Lake & McHenry counties have received grants from the Illinois State Fire Marshal to assist with the purchase of small equipment. The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced Thursday that a total of $6 million was awarded to 260 fire departments, fire districts or EMS providers across […]
Posted inState News
State officials say first potential case of hantavirus in resident living in northern Illinois was false positive
Officials say further testing has confirmed that a potential case of hantavirus in a resident living in northern Illinois was a false positive following reports last week that it could be the first case in the state. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said in a statement on Tuesday that it was investigating the […]