Illinois quick hits: Edgar funeral details released; O’Hare measles exposure warning
September 16, 2025/
Edgar funeral details released
Funeral services have been announced for former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar.
The public can pay last respects this Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the rotunda of the state Capitol.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Central Baptist Church in Springfield.
The memorial will be live-streamed for viewers at www.blueroomstream.com.
College savings program grows
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced record asset growth to more than $14 billion for Illinois’ Bright Start 529 college savings plan.
The news comes after the Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ Composite and S&P 500 all set record highs in recent days.
O’Hare measles exposure warning
Cook County health officials say some travelers at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago may have been exposed to measles.
O’Hare’s Terminal 5 was identified as a place of public exposure between 7:30 and 11:00 a.m. last Thursday, Sept. 11.
Officials believe a 4-year-old Cook County resident acquired measles during international travel.
Latest News Stories
Finance Committee: Beecher Schools Project Balanced Budget, Earmark Funds for Major Projects
Article Summary: The Beecher School District 200-U Finance Committee reviewed a preliminary Fiscal Year 2026 budget that projects a narrow surplus, a significant turnaround from last year's initial deficit forecast....
Will County Health Department Seeks $1 Million to Avert ‘Drastic’ Service Cuts from Expiring Grants
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Will County Health Department is requesting an additional $1 million in county funding for its 2026 budget to prevent the elimination of 11 critical staff positions, warning...
Will County’s “First-in-Nation” Veterans Center to House Workforce Services, Sparking Debate
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The new Will County Veteran's Assistance & Support Center will also become the home for the county's Workforce Services department, a move officials say will save approximately $250,000 in...
Improved Vendor Service Creates $1.2 Million Shortfall in Sheriff’s Medical Budget
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Will County Sheriff’s Office is facing a more than $1.2 million shortfall in its budget for inmate medical services, a problem officials attribute to an ironic cause:...
Will County Public Works Committee Unveils 25-Year Transportation Plan, Projects $258 Million Gap
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Will County officials have presented "Our Way Forward 2050," a new long-range transportation plan that provides a 25-year vision for infrastructure projects while forecasting a $258 million shortfall in...
Will County Animal Protection Services Seeks New Facility Amid “Gaping Wound” of Space Crisis
Article Summary: Will County Animal Protection Services is seeking approval for a new facility, telling a county committee that its current building is critically inadequate for housing animals, leading to...
Board Confronts Animal Services Crowding, Explores Future Facility Options
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Will County officials are grappling with an ongoing animal housing crisis that has overwhelmed the county’s Animal Protective Services facility, prompting discussions about expansion, new construction, or even repurposing...
Will County Board Members Demand Transparency in Cannabis Tax Fund Allocation
ARTICLE SUMMARY: A debate over transparency and process erupted at the Will County Board’s Finance Committee meeting regarding the distribution of local cannabis tax revenue. Board members called for more...
Homer Glenn Residents Push Back on 143rd Street Widening as Officials Signal “Tentative Agreement”
ARTICLE SUMMARY: A Homer Glenn farm owner voiced strong opposition to the planned widening of 143rd Street during a county meeting, while committee members indicated a "tentative agreement" is in the...
Will County Forges 2026 Federal Agenda Amid D.C. Policy Shifts, ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impacts
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Will County Board's Legislative Committee is reshaping its federal priorities for 2026, adding new language on environmental justice and LGBTQIA+ rights while creating a more transparent process for...
Health Department Seeks $1 Million Levy Increase to Prevent “Weakened System”
Article Summary: The Will County Health Department is asking for a $1 million increase to its property tax levy to save 11 critical jobs that are at risk as post-pandemic...
County Rolls Out New “OneMeeting” Software to Improve Public Access
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Will County has officially launched a new agenda and meeting management software called "OneMeeting," aimed at improving transparency and making it easier for the public and officials to access...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for August 5, 2025
The Will County Board’s Finance Committee confronted major budget challenges during its Tuesday meeting, led by a stark presentation from the Will County Health Department. Health officials are requesting an...
Will County PZC Approves Rezoning for Truck Repair Facility on Manhattan Road Amid Resident Concerns
Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 to rezone nearly 14 acres in Joliet Township for a truck repair facility. The approval came after a neighboring...
Key Stretch of Bell Road on Track for Thanksgiving Reopening, Committee Approves Additional Funds
ARTICLE SUMMARY Construction on Bell Road between 159th and 151st Streets is scheduled to have all lanes open by Thanksgiving, officials announced as the Public Works & Transportation Committee approved a...