In this special report from the WVLI News Update, host Rob West sits down with 79th District State Representative Jackie Haas for an in-depth discussion on the key issues facing Kankakee County and the state of Illinois.

Rep. Haas provides her perspective on the recent fall veto session in Springfield, explaining why a lack of action on certain bills—like those proposing new taxes to fund Chicago—can be a positive sign of ongoing negotiations.

A major focus of the conversation is the dangerous intersection at Route 50 and County Line Road. Following more tragic fatalities, Rep. Haas details her work with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to implement a temporary four-way stop by the end of the year, with a permanent traffic light planned for the future.

The discussion also covers:

• Local Control: The fight to return authority for siting solar and wind farms back to local governments like Kankakee County.
• Constituent Concerns: The daily struggles residents face with the rising cost of living, high taxes, and the need for a more transparent state budget.
• Legislative Process: How her advisory committees and constituent feedback directly shape the bills she files in the legislature.

Stay informed about what's happening in your community and in Springfield. Find out how you can contact Rep. Haas and make your voice heard on these critical topics.

Timestamps:

• (0:20) - Recap of the Fall Veto Session
• (1:04) - Discussion on Proposed New Taxes for Chicago
• (1:46) - Update on the Dangerous Intersection at Route 50 & County Line Road
• (3:33) - The Fight for Local Control Over Solar & Wind Farm Siting
• (5:05) - Top Concerns from Constituents: Taxes & Cost of Living
• (5:54) - How Constituents Can Propose New Legislation
• (6:59) - How to Contact Representative Jackie Haas

• Former Governor Ryan estate sale begins today

An estate sale begins today at the late Illinois Governor George Ryan's home in Kankakee. According to Estate Sales dot net, the four day sale runs through Sunday at Ryan's former home on South Greenwood Avenue. The sale includes several unique one of a kind pieces from both Ryan and his wife Lura Lynn. Ryan died in May at age 91. Lura Lynn Ryan passed away in 2011.

• Kankakee City Police make burglary arrest

Kankakee City Police report an arrest in connection with an alleged burglary in the city from earlier this year. According to reports, officers were called to a business in the 100 block of East Brookmont Boulevard just before noon January 22nd for a report of stolen copper from a business. The investigation by City Police led to Tuesday's arrest of 46-year-old Jeremy Smith of Kankakee for burglary, among other charges.

• Local VAC announces partnership to help feed veterans

During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee Count Board's Executive Committee, Veterans Assistance Commission Superintendent Eric Peterson told the committee about a new partnership between the commission and Farm to Veteran, a non-profit business out of Manhattan, Illinois. Peterson says Congresswoman Robin Kelly is working with Farm to Veteran to provide the same service to every Veteran's Assistance Commission in her District.

• Health Department seeks fee increase

During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Executive Committee, the Health Department took the first step toward raising some of the fees they charge restaurants for their services. Health Department Administrator John Bevis said he did a comparison with other Illinois Counties to see where the local fees stand. Bevis said even with the increased fees, Kankakee County would still be either at or below the fees other counties charge. The last fee increase for the Health Department was back in 2019. The proposal will go before the full board at it's November meeting for approval.

• County Deputies make home invasion arrest

Kankakee County Sheriff's Police report an arrest following an alleged home invasion early Tuesday morning. According to reports, it was just after 12:30 Tuesday morning when deputies were called to a home in a local trailer park. When they got there they spoke with a woman who said a relative had kicked in the side door to her home. Once inside the man, identified as 34-year-old Devion N Love of Bourbonnais allegedly hit the woman once in the face, then fled the area. Love was later arrested by deputies, for home invasion causing bodily harm.

Fire Marshall investigates Milford fire

The State Fire Marshal's Office, the Milford Fire Department and Iroquois County Sheriff's Police are investigating a fatal house fire in Milford last week. The fire last Thursday night took the life of Ashley Tucker, who Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum says was taken to Iroquois Memorial Hospital and then flown to Loyola Hospital in Chicago, where she later died. Someone else in the house escaped without injury. Reports say the house on North Grant Street in Milford was fully involved in flames when firefighters got there a little after 10 last Thursday night. At least one firefighter had to be taken to the hospital.

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847

• Mega Millions jackpot grows

The Mega Millions jackpot continues to climb. There was no grand prize winner in Tuesday night's big drawing so the jackpot rolls over to 680-million-dollars with a cash option of just over 318-million. The next drawing is on Friday.

• O'Hare has busy summer

O'Hare Airport is coming off the busiest summer in its 70-year history. Air traffic data shows that more than 24-million passengers traveled through O'Hare during the summer months of June, July, and August. That broke the previous record set in 2019. August alone saw more than eight-million passengers.

• State BOE deadlocked

The Illinois State Board of Elections is deadlocked on whether to levy a nearly ten-million-dollar fine against Illinois Senate President Don Harmon for exceeding campaign contribution limits. The eight-member panel were evenly split along party lines yesterday. The Oak Park Democrat argues that he didn't violate the political fundraising law he helped write. The board will return next month and attempt to reach a resolution in the matter.

• Missing county resident found safe

A missing person in rural Kankakee County has been found safe thanks to a thermal imaging drone. In a press release from the Kankakee County Sherriff's Office, deputies responded to a call Monday evening of person with developmental challenges gone missing in a rural part of the county. Deputies quickly began to search the area and deployed a thermal imaging drone to help find the person. Deputies were able to locate the missing person safely near a group of outbuildings on the property. The person was unharmed and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

• Kankakee United hosts ice skate

Kankakee United's Mayor Youth Advisory Board will meet at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena in Kankakee tomorrow afternoon. Rhonda Currie with the details. Currie adds the free event is open to Junior High and high school students and asks that you pre-register on the City of Kankakee's Facebook page or website by scanning the QR code.

• Harbor House vigil

Harbor House will hold a Candlelight Vigil this Thursday night in Kankakee for victims and survivors of domestic violence. Executive Director Jenny Schoenwetter with the details. You can get more information at Harbor House D-V dot org or on their Facebook page.

• Crime Stoppers Tip of the week

Local law enforcement is looking for help to identify those involved in a fatal shooting earlier this month. With our Crime Stoppers tip of the week, here's Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847