Thursday, December 11, 2025

Illinois’ unemployment rate remains steady.  The state Department of Employment Security says the state’s jobless rate in September was unchanged at four-point-four-percent.  Non-farm payroll jobs decreased by 22-hundred.

Herscher Police are asking area residents to make sure they lock their doors. In a Facebook post, Herscher Police Chief Kurt Quick says due to recent burglaries in Clifton and surrounding communities he wants to remind you to lock your doors. The also ask you call their department or 9-1-1 if you see any suspicious activity.

A final reading is expected for Indiana’s redistricting bill today.  The Indiana Senate approved a second reading of the measure Wednesday afternoon.  Democrats proposed three amendments to House Bill 1032, but all were rejected.  If approved by the full Senate without any amendments, the bill would next head to Governor Braun’s desk for signing.  If the bill is passed and then signed into law, it would allow the Indiana General Assembly to significantly change the state’s congressional maps before the 2026 midterms.

The Kankakee County Board Criminal Justice Committee met Wednesday and County Coroner Bob Gessner gave the committee an update on the number of overdose deaths in the county this year

Gessner said fentanyl continues to be responsible for most of the overdose deaths in the county.

During Wednesday morning’s meeting of the Kankakee County Board’s Criminal Justice Committee, Animal Control Administrator Kari Laird told the committee some of the animals in their facility have reduced adoption fees just in time for Christmas

You can contact animal control for more information

During Wednesday morning’s meeting of the Kankakee County Board’s Criminal Justice Committee. 21st Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington gave an update on planned renovations at the County Courthouse

Cunnington said the Supreme Court has to approve the plan because, while ADA compliant,  the courtroom wouldn’t be up to Supreme Court standards. Cunnington also reminded the committee that he’ll be stepping down and Chief Judge at the end of the year and Judge Bill Dickenson will take over as of January first.

During Wednesday morning’s Kankakee County Board Criminal Justice Committee meeting, Sheriff Downey once again brought up how successful the Mental Health Pilot Program has been at Jerome Combs Detention Center.

Sheriff Downey said officials from Franklin and McHenry counties have already visited Kankakee County detention facilities for training to start up their own mental health pilot programs for their inmates.

At Wednesday morning’s Kankakee County Board Criminal Justice Committee meeting, Sheriff Mike Downey was asked what his opinion was on a bill Illinois Governor JB Pritzker just signed into law Tuesday that blocks ICE agents from entering court houses, hospitals, and other facilities to place people under arrest.

Sheriff Downey added that the bill passed by the governor yesterday is really directed at ICE agents and not so much local law enforcement.

The Salvation Army of Kankakee Christmas Toy Drive ends this Friday. Lieutenant LaToya Surrat talked to Denny Case about the drive on a recent episode of the Kankakee Valley Community Happenings podcast.

Lieutenant Surratt says you can drop off toys at the Salvation Army on North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee until tomorrow night at five.