Illinois
Illinois lawmaker’s aide gets sick after opening mail, Aurora office building evacuated
AURORA, Ill. (CBS) — One person was rushed to the hospital Monday afternoon after opening mail in an Illinois state representative’s office in Aurora.
People were also evacuated from the building that houses the office as a precaution.
Aurora police said at 1:06 p.m., they were called along with the fire department to the office of Illinois state Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) in the busy three-level office building at 1 E. Benton St. in downtown Aurora.
An employee had reported feeling sick shortly after opening the mail.
Emergency crews were not sure whether the mail actually made Rep. Hernandez’s staffer sick, or if it was something else. Nevertheless, many people were shaken.
“Police banging on everyone’s doors, saying, ‘We have to evacuate the building,’” said Danny Souri. “It was like a scene out of movie. It was pretty intense.”
Souri works in a different office space at 1 E. Benton St. But he said the urgency from emergency crews made it clear it was not a drill.
“We were told not to leave—can’t go back into the building,” he said.
Meanwhile, the employee from Hernandez’s office who got sick after opening the letter was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
“Another person I know was injured from it as well,” Souri said. “They went on their own.”
After clearing the building, investigators quickly worked to determine what the threat, if any, was from the letter.
“The landlord had to turn off all the HVAC in the building so there was no airflow anywhere so it doesn’t spread, and that’s how they made us aware of what it was,” said Souri.
Exactly what caused the scar remained unknown late Monday. Rep. Hernandez issued this statement:
“I want to thank all first responders for their hard work and support during today’s incident. It’s true my office received a letter, as we usually do. One of my team members opened the letter, causing them to feel ill after. Due to this we made the call to ask for assistance from APD where we then made sure everyone evacuated the building. My team member who came in contact with the letter is in good spirits as they wait for testing results.
“It is unfortunate we live in this type of environment where we have to worry about these incidents. However, I’m very proud and grateful for my team and the first responders for the quick action. I’m sorry to everyone who may have caused an inconvenience to the traffic. I’ve seen some social media posts and I ask please don’t misinform others. Our office will be closed tomorrow to give my team time to recover.”
Late Monday night, the employee was stable and awaiting test results.
Police have not said if they have any leads. But the whole building will remain closed Monday as a precaution.
Illinois
Illinois’ Historic State Park An Hour Outside Chicago Has A Scenic Canal Trail, Camping, And Canoeing – Islands
Chicago is home to famous green spaces like Millennium Park, Grant Park, and Lincoln Park, which offer a number of outdoor activities in the metropolis. But if you need to escape the Windy City for something more rugged, there are plenty of nearby options. Close to Chicago — which was voted the “World’s Most Beautiful City” in 2025 — is Channahon State Park, a historic area that became a state park in 1932 and is certainly worth exploring.
Channahon State Park is located at the confluence of the Des Plaines, DuPage, and Kankakee Rivers, so there’s nature to enjoy as well as history. First, step back in time at Lock 6, where you’ll find the original locktender’s house on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. These historic sites were restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps, making them a well-preserved glimpse into the past. Elsewhere in the park, the Forgotten Warrior Memorial honors those in the U.S. Army who have been affected by PTSD.
Channahon State Park is well-known for its scenic canal trail — the Illinois & Michigan Canal Trail. This travels alongside the canal for 61 miles between Rockdale and LaSalle. It’s primarily composed of crushed gravel and paved surfaces, making it an ideal spot for bikers and hikers. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like great blue herons and other birds, as they’re common sightings in the area. Want to squeeze in even more miles? It’s possible to connect to more scenic trails in McKinley Woods and Gebhard Woods State Park along the way.
More activities in Channahon State Park
The state park has a number of other outdoor activities to enjoy. While the I & M Canal Trail provides recreation for hiking and biking, you can also canoe part of the canal itself. There are 15 miles suitable for canoeing between Channahon and Morris; Illinois DNR highlights the pretty scenery and opportunities for wildlife spotting you can enjoy on your paddle. Fishing is popular here, too — anglers can cast a line in either the DuPage River or the I & M Canal. Common fish include bluegill, crappie, bass, and more.
Camping is available at Channahon State Park, although it’s limited to basic tent camping. After getting a permit from the information center, you’ll need to carry your gear to campsites. One reviewer for The Dyrt notes that parking is close by, so it shouldn’t be much of an ordeal. Campground facilities include picnic tables, grills, and fire pits; there are also pit toilets and a drinking fountain nearby for campers to use.
Channahon State Park is easily accessible from Chicago — it’s just a 1-hour drive away, which makes it an appealing option for a day trip or weekend getaway. Although Midway International Airport is the closest airport, O’ Hare International Airport, the most well-connected airport in the country, is the best option with more flights and international connections. It’s about an hour’s drive from the airport to the park. As per the Illinois DNR, there is no admission fee to visit Channahon State Park. As it’s a rural area, you’ll want your own vehicle to get around.
These real estate transactions, recorded the week of January 5, are compiled from information on file with Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties. They represent sales of $78,000 or more.
PEORIA COUNTY
523 S. Anna Ave., Peoria: Ortman Property Management LLC to Kimberly and Herschel Miller, $93,000.
3510 N. Kingston Drive, #5, Peoria: Jeffrey Imig and Judy Edwards to Tracy J. Sumrell, $100,000.
907 S. Manual Ave., Peoria: Debra Hurt and Brian Dewasme to Caleb Bowling, $103,900.
5122 N. Willard Road, Peoria Heights: Heights Properties LLC to Allison Smith, $105,000.
200 W. Virginia Ave., Peoria: Victoria L. Szmania to Brandon J. Jackson, $113,520.
312 S. Fourth St., Dunlap: F Street Investments LLC to Mark and Katelyn Stoller, $122,500.
609 W. Hudson St., Peoria: Timothy Shea to Isaac Vega, $123,500.
5112 W. Pfeiffer Road, Bartonville: Leslie L. Bowman to Brent T. Godsey, $124,900.
3563 W. Saymore Lane, Peoria: John M. and Tara Raine to Scott Hooste, $125,000.
614 N. Lammers Ave., West Peoria: 4115 N Chelsea LLC to Margaret Green, $130,000.
2011 W. Richwoods Blvd., Peoria: David and Erin Tankersley to Rylee Calzavara, $130,000.
814 W. Ridge Road, Peoria: Teresa A. Davis to Cynthia Chavez, $133,000.
1404 E. Moneta Ave., Peoria Heights: Federal National Mortgage Association to Matti Bielfeldt, $135,000.
5412 S. Juliette Drive, Bartonville: Makayla L. and Coby M. Donaldson to Ethan Ehnle, $144,000.
5203 Rutledge Ave., Bartonville: Richard J. and Deanna C. Merriman to Denise M. Merriman, $150,000.
3621 W. Richwoods Blvd., Peoria: 3623 Sterling LLC to Treyvon Graves, $152,000.
2209 W. Kensington Drive, Peoria: Lisa McFarlin to Tran Property Rentals LLC, $154,000.
15409 W. Glasford-Canton Road, Glasford: Bayley and Paige Carlile to Michael W. Schabatka, $155,000.
416 W. Maple St., Chillicothe: Brian E. and Taylor J. Moore to Andrew and Erynn Chirchirillo, $155,000.
611 W. Forest Lawn Ave., Peoria: Michael F. and Sandra L. Koch to Scotty Speagle, $160,000.
419 N. Lakeshore Drive, Hanna City: Brian J. Monge and David W. Hawkins to Seth E. and Chloe Stewart, $160,500.
310 W. Armstrong Ave., Peoria, and 1320 N. North St., Peoria: Scott A. and Sherrie Reed to Rebecca Ala, $165,900.
136 E. Oak Park Drive, Peoria: Brett Baldovin to Cory A. Tutaj, $172,500.
1124 N. Hushaw Ave., Chillicothe: Andrew J. and Keeley A. Ruhland to Noah and Mariah Ellis, $178,000.
4901 W. Pfeiffer Road, Bartonville: Jeremy Suddeth to Brayden Henry, $185,000.
4502 NW Scenic Drive, Peoria: Chris O’Niell Inc. to Rylee M. Joanis, $210,000.
317 N. Longbow Drive, Peoria: Makenzie K. Merriman and Jesse Page to Eric J. and Tamara E. Ruth, $214,000.
6311 N. Riviera Court, Peoria: Pedro P. and Kelly S. Orozco to Charles and Teara M. Howell, $220,000.
12700 W. Parks School Road, Princeville: Two G Farms LLC to Miles G. Smith, $250,000.
5118 W. Greenridge Court, Peoria: Kevin and Ellen Grohovena to Beth A. Hinchee, $259,900.
1516 E. Glen Ave., Peoria Heights: Robert L. Jr. and Kathleen F. Travers to Robert J. and Brooke N. Travers, $270,000.
2407 W. Miners Drive, Dunlap: Eithish Arisa and Sunitha Battu to Rachel K. Kangila and Pathou Kavena, $293,500.
3227 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria: Mary L. Jacquin to Bradford Woodworth, $300,000.
19921 N. White Grove Road, Princeville: Theodore J. and Virginia Gilles to Nicholas B. and Brianna N. Milligan, $300,000.
1925 W. Courtside Drive, Peoria: Michael S.E. and Lisa T. Pace to Nucompass Mobility Services Inc., $325,000.
1925 W. Courtside Drive, Peoria: Nucompass Mobility Services Inc. to Suzanne Chave, $325,000.
13921 N. River Crest Drive, Chillicothe: Ryan W. and Thomas W. Blackorby to David C. and Columbia J. Ozuna, $359,900.
13628 N. Wild Spruce Lane, Chillicothe: Michael T. and Jennifer K. Swanson to Matthew E. and Megan Layne, $380,000.
6110 N. Oak Leaf Court, Peoria: Jay and Sara L. Bruer to Saleh N. Alarami and Nawa A. Dawadi, $422,000.
427 W. Westfield Court, Dunlap: William C. and Melissa N. Boley to Jose L. Reteguin and Maria T. Velasco Marquez Marlen, $539,900.
6100 N. Eagle Bend Court, Peoria: Associated Bank NA to Bonnie J. and Kenneth L. Humphrey, $800,000.
TAZEWELL COUNTY
1404 Matilda St., Pekin: B. Hayden & F.P. Ragland Investing LLC to Shannon Davies and George Stringham, $85,000.
235 Mount Aire Drive, East Peoria: Charlene R. and Jimmy F. Stevens to Daniel Z. Stevens, $90,534.
1515 N. 10th St., Pekin: Thomas Huff Jr. to NF Rentals LLC, $95,000.
557 Groveland St., Creve Coeur: Joshua L. Ristow to Andrew Pisel, $95,000.
2032 Broadway Road, Pekin: James E. Didonato to Generation Next Inc., $100,000.
315 Pekin Ave., East Peoria: Brandon and Crystal Gore to Bryce Conover, $105,000.
320 Lawndale Ave., Creve Coeur: Brian C. and Clara P. Hibbert to John H. Way Jr., $115,900.
132 McArthur St., North Pekin: Isabel Potts to James Greenacre, $116,000.
1004 Park Avenue, Pekin: Robert T. and Jennifer N. Buzdigian to Ian A. Smith and Autumn Spoor, $128,000.
1312 Sommerset St., Pekin: Kevin Goeken to William J. Forkell, $129,500.
1407 Lincoln St., Pekin: Austin Thomason to Adam Siefert, $140,000.
1005 Edison Court, Pekin: Jakob Bridenbaugh to Braden Cease, $152,000.
103 Mabee Ave., East Peoria: Eagle Property Management LLC to Philip Tharp, $160,000.
412 Whippoorwill Drive, Washington: Kristina M. and Patrick J. Shirley to Skyler R. Goode and Leah N. Kuykendall, $217,500.
27615 Schuck Road, Washington: Melody L. and Roland Campbell to Karen A. and Thomas D. Brecklin, $220,000.
27363 Broadway Road, Morton: Becky S. Watts to Shelby and Amanda Metzer, $225,000.
1400 Springfield Road, East Peoria: Bradley A. and Mckenzie Reeser to Zyrene D. Banas and Luke Barr, $230,500.
720 Lincoln St., Hopedale: Kevin and Lisa Litwiller to Benjamin and Kendra Litwiller, $241,000.
29585 Allentown Road, Mackinaw: John W. and Tobey L. Hauter to Alecia M. and Edward P. Hauter, $250,000.
922 Birchwood Drive, Washington: Anna J. and Kevin M. Koch to Samantha Sutter and Blake A. Sutter-Driggers, $263,000.
Parcel Number 23-23-05-200-007, Tazewell County: Sandra J. Morris to Luke Litwiller, $300,000.
2502 Plymouth Place, Pekin: Frederick J. and Pamela S. Dawson to Bradley J. and Jamie L. Siltman, $325,000.
2724 Broadway St., Pekin: Marjorie L. Fulton to Matthew and Rebekah Fulton, $349,500.
1707 W. Jefferson St., Morton: Ronald G. and Suzanne R. Reising to Brock A. Schwartz, $392,000.
108 Village Drive, Washington: Nelson Jeffery to Chong S. Calderon and Michael A. Marshall, $430,000.
2727 Aspen Court, Pekin: Lori L. Davis and Rhonda S. Ries to James K. Ruth, $442,500.
25901 E. Wildlife Road, Hopedale: Bright Blue Property Management LLC to Murphy Property Group LLC, $461,750.
623 Country Club Lane, Pekin: Edrick Ferguson to Cathryn S. and William M. Cash, $510,000.
1224 Autumn Ridge Court, Morton: Jiayan Sun and Zhihong Zhang to Brittain and Danielle Ladd, $580,000.
Parcel Number 23-23-05-200-007, Tazewell County: Sandra J. Morris to Edward J. and Rosemary E. Litwiller, $609,360.
2 Hunters Way, Washington: Beth and Matthew Lykens to Jennifer M. and Timothy M. Van Autreve, $649,900.
WOODFORD COUNTY
794 Northfork Road, Metamora: Steve Ahrens to Scott A. and Janet L. Huser, $125,000.
910 N. Church St., Roanoke: Hailey and Eric Schaefer to Jerry Frank, $170,000.
1285 Sunset Drive, East Peoria: Scott Vreeland to Brendan Kay, $267,500.
There is a growing adage now in recruiting of high school players that scholarship offers don’t quite mean what they used to.
Illinois’ offer to Neuqua Valley’s Mason Martin last month certainly meant a lot.
When a teen-aged kid ignites the interest of his “dream school” and the coaching staff’s pursuit is strong and rapid, the recruitment becomes legit and can go quickly.
In six months Martin went from a complete unknown to a Big Ten-bound player as the 6-5 junior ended his recruitment early, committing to Illinois.
“All of it is super surreal,” Martin said of the whirlwind recruitment. “I’m super grateful and thankful for all of it. Six months ago none of this was happening. Now I’m committed and locked in. I’m still kind of trying to process it all.”
Martin was only going to be kept under wraps for so long.
When you are able shoot the basketball with the range and efficiency that Martin does, you’re eventually going to be found and coveted.
Martin proved he was a Division I prospect over the spring and summer, both with his travel team, Breakaway, and his high school team during the June “live” periods. But the start of his junior season has been an absolute explosion, generating higher-level college interest.
Martin is putting up just over 19 points a game for a team that is 16-1 and ranked No. 9 while playing with one of the state’s elite players, sophomore Cole Kelly. The shooting, which is Martin’s calling card, has been exemplary. He’s already buried 62 three-pointers on the season on 146 attempts.
While that’s an ultra-impressive 42 percent for a high-volume shooter, it’s also about how he gets his shot off. Martin does so effortlessly and with a quick release.
Martin hit 11 three-pointers while scoring a career high 41 against West Aurora in the season opener. He averaged 23 points a game in helping Neuqua to the DeKalb Holiday Tournament title, including 34 points and eight threes in the championship.
Illinois pounced quickly on a player who has established himself as the state’s premier shooter. Martin will help any college program with his ability to space the floor.
“The relationship they built with me mattered,” Martin said.
Illinois came to several games, practices and open gyms. Martin said he felt genuine support and love while talking to all the coaches on the staff.
“I love everything about the program — the facilities, the coaching staff, the culture they have developed with their whole team, whether it’s on or off the court,” Martin said. “It’s one I wanted to be a part of and keep helping build.”
The recruitment and the decision came quickly. But Martin already had his eye on Illinois. He says when you combine the success of the program, the location and his own perception of the school, it became an easy decision.
“It’s really kind of my dream school coming into it,” Martin said. “And they’re a top 15 program in the country, a prestigious program that’s pretty close to home. That’s why I decided to do it so early, because I know it’s the right spot for me. I know I made the right decision.”
Martin says he’s already started a discussion with his high-profile, high-in-demand teammate Kelly about joining him in Champaign.
“We have definitely talked about it, but it’s mostly just making jokes about it right now,” Martin said with a laugh. “But I definitely have already started. He’s my favorite teammate I’ve ever played with, so being able to do that at the next level would be super fun.”
Video: Armed Robbers Steal At Least $110,000 Worth of Pokémon Cards
Detroit Pistons easily dispatch shorthanded Indiana Pacers, 121-78
49ers vs. Seahawks live updates: Divisional game score, highlights
Crews demolish parts of Interstate 30 in downtown Dallas for planned construction
Demonstrators gather in Boston to show solidarity with protesters in Iran – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Spanberger takes swipe at Trump admin, says Virginians worried about ‘recklessness coming out of Washington’
Thousands take part in ‘Hands off Greenland’ protests in Denmark
They quit their day jobs to bet on current events. A look inside the prediction market mania
IRS confirms Trump-ordered $1,776 ‘Warrior Dividend’ for 1.45M troops is tax-free
Myanmar military-backed party leads after second round of election voting
-
Montana1 week agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Delaware1 week agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Dallas, TX1 week agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Virginia1 week agoVirginia Tech gains commitment from ACC transfer QB
-
Montana1 week ago‘It was apocalyptic’, woman tells Crans-Montana memorial service, as bar owner detained
-
Minnesota1 week agoICE arrests in Minnesota surge include numerous convicted child rapists, killers
-
Oklahoma6 days agoMissing 12-year-old Oklahoma boy found safe
-
Lifestyle3 days agoJulio Iglesias accused of sexual assault as Spanish prosecutors study the allegations