Thursday, November 20, 2025

The Illinois Commerce Commission is cutting down the rate requests of two big gas utilities in the state.  The ICC reduced Ameren Illinois’ rate request for its natural gas delivery services by nearly 56-million-dollars.  The ICC also cut more than 146-million-dollars off Nicor’s Gas’ rate request for its natural gas delivery services.  The decision was made after the commission reviewed the filings of both utilities.

The Indiana National Guard will send around 300 soldiers to Washington, DC next month.  Governor Mike Braun authorized the deployment to help the D.C. National Guard in their effort to reduce crime and cut property damage.  The Hoosiers will replace soldiers and airmen from other states that have been in Washington, DC since being mobilized in August.  Their deployment is expected to be for four months.

During this morning’s meeting of the Kankakee County Board’s Executive Committee, Veteran’s Assistance Commission Superintendent Eric Peterson updated the committee on work being done in Kankakee County to prevent veteran suicide. Peterson said the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention recently piloted a program called “Talk Saves Lives” for veterans in Kankakee County

Additionally Peterson said the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration which puts together a map in metropolitan areas and major cities across the country to try to identify what can be done to prevent veteran suicide

Peterson added Kankakee County has been able to prove they can do just as good a job at helping the veteran community as Chicago and some other big cities, even without the resources provided to the other communities.

During this morning’s meeting of the Kankakee County Board’s Executive Committee, Veterans Assistance Commission Superintendent Eric Peterson said the VAC has a lot to be thankful for

Peterson says the wrapped presents can then be dropped off at the Veterans Assistance Commission offices in Bourbonnais to be delivered to the veteran by Christmas.

Another of those Secret Food Pantry mobile pop-up events is scheduled for today in the Village of Bourbonnais. This one runs from 11 until noon at the location on Briarwood Lane. Organizers of the event ask for a five dollar donation which enters you into a drawing for a 50 dollar gift card. They ask you line up no more than a half hour before the event begins and you follow the route outlined by Bourbonnais Police. You can find that route and get more information from the Village of Bourbonnais website or its Facebook Page

Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis gave an update on the redevelopment project for West Avenue in Downtown Kankakee at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Mayor Curtis said the public will be able to view the West Avenue designs on the city’s website in the next seven to ten days.

The Village of Bradley will hold their annual Thanksgiving food giveaway at Northfield Square Mall this Saturday from nine to noon. Mayor Mike Watson says it’s just turkeys this year.

Mayor Watson added they will pass out around 400 turkeys to Bradley residents on a first come, first serve basis this Saturday.

The Powerball jackpot has rolled over again, that after nobody matched all the winning numbers in last night’s game. That means the jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is an estimated 629-million dollars.