LATEST ILLINOIS NEWS
Embattled University of Illinois staffer stays on...
University of Illinois president Michael Hogan's embattled former chief of staff is to be paid $109,000 a year as a tenured psychologyfaculty member, though campus officials might challenge her employment.
Illinois ponders tanning salon restrictions;...
In committee debate, critics compare tanning industry to tobacco executives.
Illinois looks to compete with gas prices in...
Lawmakers propose adjusting sales tax on gas prices in Illinois to compete with lower prices in neighnoring states.
New TechNet Study: Illinois Among Top 10 App...
WASHINGTON, DC-- - TechNet, an Illinois Technology Association national partner, and the bipartisan policy and political network of technology CEOs that promotes the growth of the innovation economy, today ...
Illinois Manufacturing Jobs Increased a Half...
EVANSTON, Ill., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Following several years of declines, manufacturing employment in Illinois rose a half percent over the past twelve months according to the 100th anniversary ...
Illinois Tea Party backs Manzullo in GOP primary
The Illinois Tea Party has endorsed longtime U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo over a first-term congressman once backed by Sarah Palin, marking a surprise announcement in the Republican primary race unfolding i
Illinois looks at changing exotic animal laws
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois officials are looking to add some teeth to the state's exotic animal laws.
Illinois' audio recording law under scrutiny
Tiawanda Moore didn't think she was doing anything wrong. When two Chicago police officers tried to stop her from filing a sexual harassment complaint against one of their colleagues in 2010, she wanted to record her conversation with them on her smartphone.
Illinois to extend immunity for drug users who...
Quinn signs law after reports of friends letting friends die rather than risk calling 911.
Verizon Wireless invested $166 million in Illinois...
Verizon Wireless said Monday it spent $166 million on its Illinois network in 2011, an investment that included the company's expansion of its 4G Long-Term Evolution network to markets outside of Chicago.
Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine Recognizes Edelson...
CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jay Edelson, founder and managing partner of Edelson McGuire, LLC was recognized by the Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine as a 2012 Illinois Super Lawyer, and his partner, ...
Verizon Wireless Invests $166 Million in Illinois
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today it invested $166 million in 2011 to enhance its existing network in Illinois, which includes the expansion of 4G LTE to Rockford ...
Northwestern has last laugh in win over Illinois
Shurna, Hearn lead key road victory CHAMPAIGN - Illinois' Orange Krush student section chanted "N-I-T" at Northwestern players with less than 11 minutes remaining as the Illini took a four-point lead Sunday. Guard Reggie Hearn chuckled at the insult hurled many times at the NCAA tournament-less Wildcats.
Shawn Harmon Gets the Victory at Disc Golf's J...
The J Town Ice Bowl took place in Channahon, Illinois on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at the Community Park Disc Golf Course. This was a PDGA sanctioned C-Tier event with 82 disc golfers coming out to compete on rather chilly winter day in the Midwest.
Illinois 70 Northwestern 74 Basketball 2012
Photos from the  men's basketball game between Northwestern and Illinois in Champaign, IL.  Sunday, February 5, 2012.  

Streaming waters of help
By using their hands and construction talents to help others, members of Macomb’s Wesley United Methodist Church have been participating in the Streaming Waters Work Week this week. Each year, the program reaches out to area residents who are in need. The inspiration for the program’s title comes from the volunteers’ actions of streaming throughout McDonough County area doing simple home repairs, household and yard jobs that home owners can’t do themselves because of either finances or ability. In their words, they are streaming God’s love throughout McDonough County.
Escapee captured in Astoria
The hunt for an Astoria man who escaped police custody in Table Grove during a prisoner exchange on Monday afternoon ended Tuesday morning. According to Fulton County Sheriff Jeff Standard, 28-year-old Kyle E. Williams was located at a mobile home in Astoria with his girlfriend, 28-year-old Cassie Bent. Before 3 p.m. Monday, a Fulton County deputy was handing Williams over to a McDonough County deputy in Table Grove when...
Five jailed for meth ingredient purchases
Police have arrested five area individuals in a roundup aimed at methamphetamine production. This week, McDonough County State’s Attorney James Hoyle sought warrants resulting in the arrest of Mindy Schofield, Drake Schofield and Josh Burgess, all of Carthage, as well as Jason Fink and Jessica Burgess, of Monmouth. All five individuals are accused of touring the area, buying pseudoephedrine and pooling it together to make large amounts of methamphetamine.
Prosecutor: Mixup leads to light sentence
A Chicago man was likely spared a lengthy prison sentence for cocaine possession on Friday due, in part, to what prosecutors call a mixup in the investigative process. Shawn Parotto, 25, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with the intent to deliver, a Class 1 felony, on Friday. In a negotiated deal with prosecutors, he was sentenced to 180 days in the McDonough County Jail. He will receive day-for-day credit, meaning he will be released after 90 days served.
The Elms to get added revenue
The McDonough County Board’s building and grounds committee voted Thursday to recommend approval of a resolution endorsing an Illinois Department of Public Health agreement with The Elms Nursing Home. Elms Administrator Charles Ackers said the state would share some federal matching funds with the county on a 55/45 percent split. Ackers said The Elms could receive an initial payment of $123,000. Then the facility would earn between $40,000 and $50,000 per month, payable on a quarterly...
New staffing in place at county animal shelter
Vicky Vantrump is the new McDonough County animal control officer. She gave her first report Thursday to the county board’s Human Resources and Planning Committee. After the meeting, Vantrump explained that her interest in animals began while she was growing up on a farm. She lives in the LaHarpe area. “The volunteers have been great,” Vantrump told the committee. An assistant has been hired for Vantrump, and he is expected to begin his duties July 25.
Opinion opportunity
Rural residents of southeastern McDonough County showed up in droves to Tuesday night’s hearing on Shamrock Acres, a proposed hog confinement in Eldorado Township. They were prepared to slam Professional Swine Management’s business practices. They were poised to prove that the company would not practice responsible agriculture. The only problem is, Professional Swine Management is out of the...
Meixner shares ROE strategy with county
Regional Schools Superintendent John Meixner gave a progress report Monday to the McDonough County Board’s law and legal committee on the status of school services for McDonough and Hancock counties. Governor Pat Quinn recently vetoed the portion of the state budget that would have provided salaries for all regional superintendents, their assistants, and their school services budgets.
First In Print
Below is a list of stories you will find today only in the printed and e-edition of The McDonough County Voice:   • Hammond tours local armory - Page 5A   • Sports drinks not for kids - Page 8A  
Beware of potholes on county roads
McDonough County Engineer Tom Hickman is asking the public to be careful about, and maybe a bit more tolerant of, potholes on county roads. “We are well aware of the situation all over the county,” he told the county board’s road and bridge committee on Thursday. Hickman said his crew needs to make more oil and chip mix because of the heavy repair demand. “People need to be careful until we can get to come of those,” he said of the potholes.
MDH?to offer stroke screening
McDonough District Hospital Outreach Services and Cardiopulmonary Department have collaborated to bring the community a high-quality, comprehensive stroke screening, including stroke prevention education. The next Stroke Plus Screening will be offered on Thursday, July 14, from 8 a.m. - noon in the Cardiopulmonary Department.
Galesburg man injured in local accident
A Galesburg man was taken to McDonough District Hospital Friday after an accident involving a truck he was driving in rural McDonough County. Randall G. Hambleton, 65, was taken to MDH with what police termed as “moderate” injuries.
Nash marks 30 years with WIRC
The Western Illinois Regional Council staff will celebrate two occasions this weekend - In addition to the Independence Day holiday, they’ll also be celebrating a special milestone: Suzan Nash’s 30th anniversary as executive director. Nash, a native of Montreal, Canada, attended graduate school at Western Illinois University before beginning work at the Western Illinois Regional Council, which provides a range of social services to government units and residents across six...
Quarrel begins over proposed hog farm
Driving through the flat country plains and winding wooded roads of rural southeastern McDonough County, Ramona Cook knows everyone. She can point to each plot of land, each pond, each house hidden in the treelines and tell you about the quiet country paradise the folks out there are living in. She can also tell you how she believes a proposed hog confinement in southwestern Eldorado Township could ruin that...
The 2011 McDonough County Voice All-Area High...
The 18 players making up the first team for the 2011 season
The 2011 McDonough County Voice All-Area High...
The 16 players making up the first team for the 2011 season
Boyd hired as MDH CEO
  Kenny Boyd, chief executive officer for the Girard Medical Center, has been named President/CEO of McDonough District Hospital, effective July 25.  
Just in case
Four days of special training for a group of local law enforcement officers culminated Thursday as the armed team stormed a home on North Lafayette Street, rescued a kidnapped child and arrested three individuals - all without firing a shot. It was a test to conclude the initial course of a new response team in McDonough County that will handle most area high-risk search and arrest warrants, as well as hostage and suicidal...
Graves named Treasurer of the Year
After 24 years of serving as the McDonough County Treasurer, Angela Graves has been named the 2010 Treasurer of the Year for Zone II. She was recognized for her “distinguished service to the Illinois County Treasurer’s Association.” The award was presented to Graves on May 10 in Springfield, just one day shy of her anniversary.
County voting districts stay the same
As a direct result of the 2010 federal census, the McDonough County Board passed a reapportionment resolution Wednesday, Board Chairman Scott Schwerer said this would not result in any changes to the county’s three voting districts. New census figures show the population of District 1 as 11,324, District 2 at 10,711, and District 3 at 10,577. Schwerer said voters would continue to elect seven members per district for a county board total of 21 members.
Sheriff's Department seeking bear bandits
Police are looking for those responsible for stealing a large metal ornamental bear. According to McDonough County Sheriff Rick VanBrooker, the bear, four feet tall and weighing in at between 450 and 600 pounds, was stolen overnight on Monday from a yard in the 2000 block of West Adams.
Student arrested for selling drugs
A Western Illinois University student was arrested Thursday after allegedly selling several types of drugs to an undercover police source. According to McDonough County Sheriff Rick VanBrooker, 19-year-old Christopher W. Kaffenberger, of Chapin, was arrested Thursday on three separate counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Burglaries lead to 10-year prison term
A Carthage man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday for burglarizing West Prairie High School and several grain elevators during a multi-county crime spree. Curtis W. McKune, 29, pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary in McDonough County on Monday. Each count was a Class 2 felony, eligible for extended sentences due to McKune’s extensive criminal history.
Campus Tap patrols coming to the area
Illinois State Police District 14 Commander, Captain Robert L. Elliott, announced today that District 14 Troopers and Special Agents will conduct Operation Campus/Tap details in McDonough County during May.
Former staffer wins Pulitzer
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mark Konkol, 37, arrived at work Monday afternoon as usual and fetched a cup of coffee before heading to his desk. His drink, however, quickly turned to champagne. “An editorial assistant called out ‘Konkol and Main won a Pulitzer,” Konkol recalled Tuesday during a phone interview with the McDonough County Voice. “People were coming over to my desk - it was pretty...

  Charges added against Kling
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