Communities brace for floods
Communities along the Illinois River are bracing for possible flooding in the coming days.
Peoria’s public works department is ready to use sandbags as ice jams and melting in the northern portion of the Illinois River has raised water levels. The city expects the river to crest in Peoria at 22.5 feet overnight Thursday into Friday.
Wilmington residents are cleaning up after the Kankakee River flooded as a result of ice jams.
Parks share $55 million in grants
Nearly $55 million in taxpayer-funded state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.
Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program is a cost-sharing venture between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects.
Jason Isbell announced for State Fair
Grammy award-winning artist Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have been added to the Illinois State Fair Grandstand lineup. The band will perform Sunday, Aug 11 with special guest Ashley McBride.
Tickets for the show go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, on Ticketmaster. They are the first musical acts to be unveiled for the 2024 Illinois State Fair.