Friday, October 31, 2025

There are reports of a fatal crash in far western Kankakee County overnight. According to reports, it was about 10 last night when two cars collided near Reddick. It appears both cars burst into flame and according to reports there were no survivors. The names of those involved have not yet been released.

Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan is set to be acquired. The announcement was made today in a press release that says Servbank, based in Oswego, Illinois has entered into a definitive agreement with Iroquois Federal for the acquisition. Iroquois Federal shareholders will receive approximately eighty nine point eight million dollars or twenty seven dollars and twenty cents per share, in cash for each share of common stock. Chip Hasselbring the third, who is the chairman and CEO of Iroquois Federal says The technology of banking today requires investment in systems to bring this quality service. We are excited about the Servbank platform. The transaction is expected to close in the early months of 2026.

A lack of recent rains brings increased drought concerns across the area. According to the map just released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor, about 20 percent of Kankakee County is considered to be in moderate drought, while the rest of the county remains abnormally dry. Some 42 percent of Iroquois County is now considered to be in severe drought – up from just seven percent last week with about half the county in moderate drought and the remaining eight percent just abnormally dry. Nearly all of Ford and Livingston Counties are considered to be in severe drought while a third of Grundy County is considered to be in severe drought, 54 percent in moderate drought and the rest of the county just abnormally dry. The northern 22 percent of Will County is considered to be in severe drought, another 14 percent in moderate drought with the rest of that county just abnormally dry.

Across the state line, drought concerns are rising with more than half of Newton County now considered to be in moderate drought while 12 percent of Jasper and 10 percent of Benton Counties are also considered to be in moderate drought. The rest of each of those counties are now considered to be abnormally dry. The latest map includes data gathered by the US Drought Monitor through Tuesday of this week.

 

Time to find out what’s going on around Kankakee County this weekend. With a look at a few of the events, here’s Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County

Get ready to fall back this weekend as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end and Standard Time returns on Sunday.  Clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 Sunday morning., meaning we gain an hour and more light in the morning.  We “spring forward” when Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8th, 2026.  This won’t affect most people in Hawaii or Arizona, however, where Daylight Saving Time is not observed.  The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide, has stalled in the House of Representatives despite Senate approval.