Illinois

Tuesday marks 1 final chance to see Big Boy locomotive in Illinois

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2024

Tuesday marks 1 final chance to see Big Boy locomotive in Illinois

Illinois residents will have one final chance to see Union Pacific’s 4014 Big Boy steam engine before the locomotive sets off for its next destination.

The classic train stopped in three Illinois communities in recent days – Sterling, Rochelle and Watseka – as part of its 10-state “Heartland of America” tour.

Ahead of its public debut in Rochelle on Sunday, extensive traffic delays and backups were reported. Photos posted on social media showed traffic backups and a number of people who attempted to beat the traffic and walk along the road to the viewing.

Big Boy was the star of the show in Watseka as crowds upon crowds waited hours to see the locomotive up-close.

According to officials, Big Boy No. 4014 is one of 25 built in the 1940s to handle the steep grades in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range during World War II. It is just one of eight to survive, and the only one that remains in operation today.

The classic steam engine draws everywhere it goes, including some repeat visitors.

“I think it’s pretty awesome,” one resident said. “People have been really excited for the last week and a half around here. Haven’t seen that for a while. Everybody just kind of lets life go by. This moment our population is doubled, it’s fun.”

Following its stop in Watseka on Monday night, the train was set to depart for Nokomis, approximately 50 miles southeast of Springfield. For anyone considering making the drive, Big Boy will be at the community’s Maple Street crossing for public viewing between 12:15 and 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

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Illinois

Central Illinois couple spends golden years serving others

Published

2 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Central Illinois couple spends golden years serving others

PEORIA (25News Now) – One Central Illinois couple is spending their golden years trying to make the world a better place.

Sandy and Phillip Anton have been volunteering at Midwest Food Bank since 2022. Sandy interacts with clients, helping them get checked in and pick out good food. Phillip is the one who operates the overhead door so that volunteers can load up the vehicles. Both of them are trained in other roles as well.

“We’ve been aware, through family and community connections, of the need, of food insecurity. We know the need is out there. We made a purposeful decision to focus our retirement on food insecurity,” Sandy said.

The food bank praised the couple for their skill at interacting with the community. The organization do much of their work with the help of volunteers like the Antons.

You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.

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Illinois

Authorities: Woman’s BAC was nearly 3 times legal limit in Lombard, Illinois crash that injured family of 4

Published

14 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Authorities: Woman’s BAC was nearly 3 times legal limit in Lombard, Illinois crash that injured family of 4

A woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.

Among the injured was a 10-year-old boy.

Jaquelin Onofre Reyes, 27, appeared in DuPage County First Appearance Court on Wednesday morning. The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office had asked to have Reyes detained on a charge of felony aggravated driving under the influence causing great bodily harm, but Judge Joshua Dieden denied the motion.

Onofre Reyes was instead released on electronic monitoring — with conditions that she may not possess or consume any alcohol or drugs.

Lombard police were called at 12:12 p.m. Tuesday for the crash at Route 53 and the Illinois Prairie Path.

Authorities said Onofre Reyes was driving a Hummer sport-utility vehicle south on Route 53 when she veered into the northbound lanes in an attempt to pass traffic in front of her. When Onofre Reyes tried to get back into the southbound lanes, she hit another car, crossed back into oncoming northbound traffic, and hit an Infiniti sport-utility vehicle headed north, authorities said.

Inside the Infiniti were a family of four, with two children ages 7 and 10. Everyone in the family was taken to the hospital, authorities said.

The 10-year-old boy suffered serious injuries and has been taken to another hospital for surgery, authorities said.

Police found that Onofre Reyes had two open containers of alcoholic beverages in her car at the time of the crash, authorities said. Her blood alcohol level was .238 — nearly three times the legal limit, authorities said.

“This incident involved a reckless and irresponsible individual who allegedly chose to operate a motor vehicle while impaired with complete disregard for the safety of others,” Lombard police Chief Joe Grage said in a news release. “Unfortunately, this decision led to a crash that caused significant injuries to innocent people.”

Onofre Reyes is due back in court on Jan. 20 in front of DuPage County Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.

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