Tracking rabid bats
Residents in northern Illinois now have a way to locate where rabid bats have been found. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control created an interactive map to help raise awareness about rabies prevention.
The map shows locations where rabid bats were found this year and previous years. Nine bats have tested positive for rabies so far this year in Cook County. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 70 dogs and 250 cats contract rabies each year.
New bridge being constructed
Construction is officially underway for a new bridge across the Mississippi River from Chester to Perry County, Missouri. The current bridge was constructed in 1942 and was repaired two years later after a severe storm damaged the main span.
The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates about 7,000 vehicles use the bridge daily. The completion date of the new bridge is slated for December 2026.
Dac’s Smokehouse named state’s best BBQ
A website devoted to finding the best food the state has to offer has chosen a central Illinois restaurant as having the best barbecue in the state.
Illinois Foodies, whose members travel around the state to find the best restaurants the state has to offer, has named Dac’s Smokehouse in Morton as the number one spot. Dac’s has been in business since 2021.
