Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Shaw Local’ Category

By Michelle Meyer | Shaw Local

A ramp connecting the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway to Route 31 in Elgin will be closed for toll plaza improvements starting Sunday and is expected to last through the summer.

Beginning at midnight Sunday, the ramp connecting westbound Interstate 90 to southbound Route 31 will be closed, according to an Illinois Tollway news release. A posted detour will direct traffic on the interstate to the Randall Road interchange, bringing cars back onto eastbound I-90 to access Route 31.

“Tolls will be waived at the Elgin Toll Plaza for traffic following the detour,” officials said in the release.

Crews will be removing the existing barrier walls and equipment and installing new infrastructure. Ramp pavement and shoulder work, along with improvements to electrical, lighting and signage, also are planned, according to the release. All work is weather-dependent.

The construction is part of Illinois Tollway’s 16-year, $15 billion capital program called Move Illinois and its seven-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future capital plan. Improvements are planned for all toll plazas systemwide.

Signs warning about the upcoming closure will be posted this weekend. Updated information will be posted on the Illinois Tollway website’s daily construction alerts.

Maps and construction information are available in the “projects” section on the tollway website.

Article continues here.

Read Full Post »

Joel A. Koskinen

By Amanda Marrazzo | Shaw Local

A man who is accused of threatening on YouTube videos to shoot Barrington Hills police officers — and who had been deemed unfit to stand trial — has been restored to fitness, a judge ruled Thursday.

Joel A. Koskinen, 35, of Barrington Hills, was charged earlier this year with threatening a public official and electronic harassment involving an obscene message or threat to kill. But in September he was found unfit to stand trial, documents filed in McHenry County court show.

He received mental health treatment while in custody of the Illinois Department of Human Service Lake Behavioral Hospital, then returned to the county jail, records show.

In court Thursday, Judge Mark Gerhardt found Koskinen is now fit for trial, and Koskinen requested his attorney participate in negotiation conferences, records show.

“Now that Joel has been found fit to stand trial, we are beginning discussions with the State regarding a resolution to his case that would allow him to be reunited with his family and continue his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University,” his attorney Brian Stevens said.

Read more here.

Related:Man arrested for posting YouTube videos saying he would kill police officers in Barrington Hills

Read Full Post »

The McHenry County Administration Building in Woodstock on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. The McHenry County Board is schedule to vote on the county budget this evening. | Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver

By Claire O’Brien | Shaw Local

McHenry County officials still are looking for ways to cut expenses and increase revenue as the County Board gets ready to vote on next year’s budget and a proposed property tax levy increase.

The McHenry County Board is considering whether to increase its levy to where it was before voters approved a sales tax increase to fund the county’s Mental Health Board, which came with a promise to lower the property tax levy by a commensurate amount.

The so-called “lookback” option comes as county leaders have worked to close a projected $3.7 million budget gap for next year.

On Tuesday, county board member Eric Hendricks proposed sending the budget and levy back to the county’s finance committee.

County board Chair Mike Buehler declined to take up Hendricks’ proposal, but Hendricks pressed the point. After some procedural back-and-forth, Hendricks’ effort failed.

Read more here.

Read Full Post »