Mayor James Burke holds a press conference on April 18, 2012 regarding the arrest of City Comptroller Rita Crundwell.

Click here for a copy of Mayor Burke's Statement to the Community
Click here for a copy of the U.S. Department of Justice's press release
Click here to watch the press conference held on 04/18/2012
Click here for a copy of the Indictment of Rita Crundwell
Click here for a copy of Crundwell's Post-Indictment Restraining Order
Click here for a copy of Mayor Burke's May 21, 2012 statement

7 Million Vehicles Expected on the Tollway This Weekend

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – For customers looking for a fun getaway close to home, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois Office of Tourism have developed a menu of “statecation” ideas that include events and attractions to visit along the 286-mile Tollway system this Fourth of July weekend.

“Continually high gas prices may keep some of the Tollway’s customers closer to home this holiday,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “So, we wanted to come up with some great things our customers could do this weekend that would make them feel like they’re on vacation while they’re really just a short drive away.”

 “There are so many options for “statecations” this holiday weekend and over the summer season, and the Illinois Tollway can help get you there,” said Illinois Deputy Tourism Director Jan Kostner. “Food and wine enthusiasts can satisfy their appetites at the plethora of festivals and special events held throughout the season, while families can stay cool at one of Illinois’ many water parks and beaches.” 

The Illinois Tollway is expecting approximately 7 million vehicles will travel the Tollway system this Fourth of July holiday from Friday, July 1, through Tuesday, July 5.  The heaviest travel over is anticipated on Friday, July 1, when nearly 1.8 million vehicles are projected to be on the road. On an average day, about 1.4 million vehicles use the Tollway.

Tollway Construction Zones

The Tollway will suspend all temporary construction lane closures from noon on Friday, July 1, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, in anticipation of the increase in travel. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule, but this work will not impact traffic.

Major construction areas where drivers should plan for slower traffic during the holiday include:

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)

·         Traffic in both directions between the Elgin Toll Plaza and Barrington Road is shifted with an express lane on the left and two local lanes on the right and a work zone in the center for roadway and bridge rehabilitation. There is limited access to exits from the express lane, which is for cars only. Eastbound traffic exiting before IL Route 53/I-290 should remain in the local lanes.  Westbound traffic exiting before Randall Road should remain in the local lanes.

·         Traffic is shifted to the right in both directions between Genoa Road and U.S. Route 20 for roadway and bridge rehabilitation. 

Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)

·         Traffic is shifted to the left in both directions between Irving Park Road and Balmoral Avenue for construction of a new all-electronic exit ramp from northbound I-294 to Balmoral Avenue. 

·         Traffic on I-294 is shifted to the left in both directions near I-57 for the Illinois Department of Transportation reconstruction of the I-57 bridges over I-294. 

A 45 m.p.h. speed limit is in effect 24/7 in all construction zones, whether or not workers are present. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375.

Know Before You Go

The Tollway offers a variety of ways for drivers to get the latest travel information, including:

·         www.illinoistollway.com – Traffic & Construction Section

·         1-800-TOLL-FYI – Daily lane closure information

·         www.travelmidwest.com – Real-time travel times

·         Up-to-the-minute traffic by roadway – www.nbcchicago.com

·         eNewsletter – www.illinoistollway.com

Illinois State Police District 15 Out in Force

Illinois State Police District 15 will be out in force patrolling the Illinois Tollway System throughout the holiday. Troopers also will be conducting Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), which focuses on the fatal five offenses including speeding, seat belt compliance, DUI, traveling too close and improper lane usage. 

About the Illinois Office of Tourism

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism manages industry efforts that result in sustainable and significant economic and quality-of-life benefits for Illinois residents. For a list of additional events in Illinois this summer, visit www.enjoyillinois.com. 

About the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).

Contact Information:
Joelle McGinnis, ext 2380
Jan Kemp, ext 2381
630-241-6800

By SARAH OWEN, Sauk Valley Newpapers

DIXON – For the first time in years, Greyhound buses stopped in Dixon on Monday, fulfilling the city’s promise to expand bus service to town.

To read full story, click here.

By Sarah Owen This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 815-284-2224, ext. 225, Sauk Valley Newspaper

The Petunia City has added another jewel to its crown: Dixon is now the catfish capital of Illinois.

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By Sarah Owen, photo by Alex Paschal, Sauk Valley Newspapers

DIXON – The weekend sunshine caught plenty of Irish eyes smiling at Saturday’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Luke Dixon, president of the Rock River Valley Shamrock Club and event organizer, has headed up the parade for the last 3 years.

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By Sarah Owen, Sauk Valley Newspapers
Photo by Chris Padgett

DIXON - Reagan Middle School students honored the birth of the nation’s 16th president Thursday afternoon with song and elocution.

Music and choir teacher Nadia Wirchnianski organized a musical montage and asked students to perform excerpts from Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in front of their parents and peers.

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By Sarah Owen - photo by Chris Padgett, Sauk Valley Newspapers

DIXON - The Leydig Center's move from a "dismal ... dungeon" to a facility more than twice the size of its former home seems to be paying off.

There have been more donations, more shoppers and more folks volunteering at the second-hand store since it opened its doors at 1101 Warp Road earlier this month, Chairman Gene Lemme said. The nonprofit moved from a much smaller spot on Brinton Avenue, which it had occupied for about 7 years.

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By Sarah Owen - photo by Chris Padgett, Sauk Valley Newspapers

DIXON - Twenty-two heads lifted from desktops and homework assignments in a Reagan Middle School classroom to the glow of a television set and the voice of a new president.

Kelly Henkel's eighth-grade social studies class has followed the election of Barack Obama since school started. Students on Tuesday devoted their class time to the inauguration.

Click here to see video.

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By Sarah Owen - photo by Alex Paschal, Sauk Valley Newspapers

DIXON - Linda Wegner is wearing her hiking boots to Washington, D.C.  The Obama supporter has been to the capital before - she's hit the campaign trail and attended inaugurations - but she's expecting this time to be different.

Crowd estimates for President-elect Barack Obama's Tuesday inauguration vary, with most around the 2-million mark. That's more people than attended George W. Bush's or his predecessor's swearing in. In fact, D.C. is gearing up for what is expected to be the largest-ever inauguration crowd, topping Lyndon Johnson's 1965 record of 1.5 million.

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By Sarah Owen, Sauk Valley Newspapers, photo by Alex Paschal

DIXON - After more than 100 years, "Father" Dixon's likeness was due for a facelift.  Earlier this month, the Dixon family replaced the crumbling monument at Oakwood Cemetery with a new bronze bust of the city's founder.

The Italian marble high-relief bust of John Dixon, crafted around the turn of the 20th century, had long stood guard at the family gravesites. Weather had worn its soft stone features.