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

• Notable Night Sky News

Let's find out now what's going on overhead this week. With our Notable Night Sky News, here's Madeline Shepley, Astronomy Professor and Director of the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet.

• Route 50/County Line Road claims two more victims

That intersection at Route 50 and County Line Road in far northern Kankakee County has claimed two more victims. Illinois State Police say it was just after 7:30 Friday night when the semi-truck and mini van collided at the intersection. Manhattan Fire says when they got there they found a total of seven people, one of them already dead at the scene. One of the injured later died of their injuries. Will County Coroner Laurie Summers identifies one of the dead as 35-year-old Tejaswi Patha of Aurora. State Police say the intersection was closed until about midnight while the wreckage was cleared and the crash investigated.

• Iroquois County lifts burn ban

The burn ban for Iroquois County has been lifted. In a press release, the Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency says authorities lifted the ban Sunday as significant rainfall over the county has "greatly reduced" the risk of rapidly spreading fires. Over the weekend, officials in Jasper County Indiana decided to extend that burn ban until at least Friday of this week. A burn ban remains in effect for Newton County Indiana through the end of the month.

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

• Peotone Police issue community alert

Peotone Police are asking folks in the area to be on alert. In a Facebook post, Peotone Police report one of their officers was flagged down about 11 Wednesday night near Beecher Road and Harlem Avenue by two people who said they'd been highjacked at gunpoint. The victims say a white vehicle stopped in front of their 2020 Kia Soul and four men with guns got out and took their car, before taking off northbound on Route 50. Officials say you should always be aware of your surroundings and they say if you are approached by someone that's armed, you shouldn't resist, but instead cooperate, move to safety and call 9-1-1.

• Drought concerns persist

Another week without much rain and drought concerns continue to grow across the area. The map released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor has about four percent of Kankakee County in the "moderate drought" category with the other 96 percent of the county listed as abnormally dry, those numbers unchanged from last week. Seven percent of Iroquois County is listed as in severe drought, 23 percent in moderate drought and the remaining 70 percent listed as "abnormally dry". 86 percent of Ford County is listed as in severe drought with the rest of the county in moderate drought. 65 percent of Grundy County and 29 percent of Will County is considered to be in moderate drought, the rest of each of those counties listed as simply abnormally dry.

Across the state line, the entirety of Newton and Benton Counties in Northwest Indiana are listed as "abnormally dry", while 20 percent of Jasper County is considered in moderate drought and the rest of it listed as abnormally dry. The map just released today includes data gathered by the US Drought Monitor through Tuesday of this week.

• Kankakee County gets State grants for road projects

The Kankakee County Board's Highways, Waterways and Buildings Committee met today. During the meeting, County Engineer Greg Heiden told the committee he had some good news. Heiden said the money from the state will cover the county's portion of bridge replacement over Trim Creek and Pike Creek, with the Federal Government covering the rest of the cost. The third project, according to Heiden, is the reconstruction of Guertin Street in St. Anne. The State has promised the county three-million dollars toward the St. Anne project. The County has until 2029 to complete the work

• What to do around Kankakee County this weekend

There's a lot 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

• Police chase in Channahon nets five arrests

Five people are in custody after a police chase involving a U-Haul packed with stolen Amazon boxes on I-80. Investigators say the suspects stole more than 30-thousand dollars worth of packages from an Amazon facility in Channahon before fleeing in two vehicles. Officers used spike strips to disable their tires and end the pursuit. The suspects were taken into custody without further incident. Police say multiple charges are pending as the investigation continues.

• Kankakee City Police report gun arrests

A traffic stop Wednesday netted Kankakee City Police a gun arrest. According to reports, it was just before six Wednesday night when officers stopped a car in the 800 block of South Elm for a suspended registration. While talking to those inside the car, officers say they could smell the odor of burnt cannabis coming from inside. Reports say the driver of the

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

• No injuries reported when silo collapses in Martinton

No one was injured when a concrete and rebar grain silo collapsed Wednesday afternoon in Martinton. In a press release, Iroquois County Emergency Management says firefighters were called to the Donovan Farmer's Co-op about 10:30 yesterday morning. While there, one of the firefighters noticed a bulge starting to form in the 50-year-old silo. Some of the more than 30-thousand-bushels of soybeans began to be emptied from the silo and the property was evacuated, then just before one yesterday afternoon the silo collapsed. The collapse blocked streets in the area and knocked out power to Martinton. Officials from the power company say they expect power to be returned to the Village sometime today.

• State budget shortfall surges

Illinois is facing a 267-million dollar deficit based on the budget approved back in May. The reason, according to the state's office of management and budget, is a drastic drop in corporate income tax receipts since the start of the current fiscal year. Governor J.B. Pritzker's office said the president's Big Beautiful Bill is costing Illinois more than 800-million dollars in corporate and individual income tax receipts. The FY26 budget includes a hundred-million dollar reserve to cover a budget shortfall, but it's proven not enough, as the governor is calling for agencies to propose changes or funding transfers to cover the remainder.

• Sheriff Downey on ICE

During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, County Sheriff Mike Downey was asked what he knew about recent ICE activities in Kankakee County. Sheriff Downey said because of State law that doesn't allow local law enforcement to interact with ICE, he finds things out much like everybody else.

Downey pointed out that sometimes people assume when they see a black SUV with dark tinted windows that it's ICE, but he said a lot of different types of people drive those SUV's.

• Overdose deaths down so far this year

During this morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, County Coroner Bob Gessner gave a rundown of statistics for the county this year. Gessner said the number of deaths from overdose are down.

Gessner said he plans to continue the education process by talking to more classes in different schools in the coming months.

• Domestic violence a concern in Kankakee County

During this morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, County State's Attorney Jim Rowe gave an update on crime statistics so far this year. Rowe said aggravated battery is the second most prevalent crime in Kankakee County.

• New Animal Control facility maxed out last month

During this morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, County Animal Control Director Kari Laird gave an update, saying the new Animal Control Facility on Mooney Drive in Bourbonnais was recently put to the test. Laird credited her staff for working nearly around the clock while the facility was overloaded.

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

• Kitchen fire damages Kankakee home

Kankakee City Fire Department personnel were called out again overnight. This time, firefighters were called to a home in the 400 block of South Osborn Avenue for a kitchen fire. When they got there, firefighters say they found heavy fire in the kitchen and the home owner trying to put it out with a garden hose. Firefighters quickly put out the blaze, but not before it caused some 35 to 45-thousand dollars worth of damage to the home and rendered it uninhabitable. No injuries were reported, the cause of the fire is thought to have been accidental related to careless cooking.

• Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week

Kankakee County Sheriff's Police are looking for help to find a stolen side by side. With our Crime Stoppers tip of the week, here's Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski. Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and could result in a cash reward.

• Road rage ends in crash

An alleged road rage incident ended with a crash on Kankakee's Westside Monday morning. According to city police reports, the incident started around 8 Monday morning on North Wall Street near Riverside hospital when a white GMC Yukon, driven by 32 year old Kodi M Meyer, allegedly began tailgating a car in front of him. The person in the other car claims he let Meyer pass him. Meyer then allegedly passed the car, slammed on his brakes, got out of his car and began yelling at the person in the other car. The complainant states that Meyer then threw a pop can with liquid in it at him and his passenger. After throwing the can, Meyer sped away in his car and the other person followed him to get his license plate number. Meyer blew a stop sign around South May Avenue and West Station Street then struck another car along with a tree and a light pole. The car Meyer hit flipped upside down and the person had to be cut from the car and sustained non life threatening injuries. After Meyer was put in cuffs, he admitted to officers that he smoked cannabis before he left his home. Meyer has been charged with Aggravated Reckless Driving and Driving Under the Influence of drugs.

• City Police make gun arrest

A man allegedly threaten to shoot up a bar in Kankakee early Sunday morning. According to city police reports, it was just after 12 am Sunday morning when police responded to the call at a bar in the 600 block of West Station Street. When officers arrived they located a man matching the description from dispatch outside the bar, later identified as 22 year old Ayden T. Aldridge. A loaded 9mm handgun was spotted underneath a car near where Aldridge was standing. Officers found and reviewed camera footage that showed Aldridge allegedly walking on the north side of West Station Street while pointing a handgun at some people in the parking lot of the bar. Aldridge was placed under arrest and charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a weapon among other charges.

• Bradley Police make arrest in alleged burglary

Bradley Police report the arrest of a Bourbonnais woman for allegedly breaking into a home in the Village Monday. According to reports, it was about nine Monday morning when officers were called to the 700 block of Double Jack by the victim who said someone had entered their home about 1:30 Monday morning and had taken some items. Bradley police say their investigation led to the arrest of 35-year-old Brianne V. Safiran on residential burglary charges.

• Braidwood crash sends one to the hospital

One person was sent to the hospital following a crash Tuesday morning

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

• Fire damages apartment building

Kankakee City Fire Department personnel were called to a fire in an apartment in the 200 block of Crestlane Monday night. According to reports, it was just before 10 last night when firefighters were called to the fire that started when frying food was left unattended on the stove. Reports say there was significant damage to the apartment where the fire started and the apartment next door, rendering both unusable. No one was injured by the blaze which caused some 25-thousand dollars worth of damage to the building.

• Former House Speaker reports to prison

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is behind bars, now serving the first full day of his seven-and-a-half year prison sentence on corruption charges. Madigan served 50 years in the state legislature, including 35 years as Speaker. Madigan's tenure in the legislature is the longest of any lawmaker in Illinois history. He will be 90-years-old by the time he is released from prison.

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