(WIFR/WREX) – Illinois leaders announce disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses in 11 counties affected by severe thunderstorms earlier this year.

The relief waives penalties and interest for taxpayers who cannot file returns or make payments on time because of the severe weather. It covers income, withholding, sales, specialty and excise taxes.

The tax relief applies to any area included in Gov. JB Pritzker’s state disaster proclamation.

Locally, this includes Stephenson and Winnebago Counties. Other counties across the state included in the proclamation are:

• Coles
• Cook
• Effingham
• Jefferson
• Kankakee
• LaSalle
• McLean
• Warren
• Woodford

The proclamation covers severe weather in these counties between March 10 and June 21.

“In the wake of these devastating storms, my administration is ensuring that impacted residents and businesses have the support they need to recover,” Pritzker said. “By offering temporary tax relief to individuals and businesses in 11 counties, we’re giving impacted communities the time and breathing room necessary to focus on recovery.”

Individuals and businesses located in those counties qualify for state tax relief. Any counties added later will also be eligible, according to the governor’s office.

Taxpayers seeking a waiver of penalties and interest should send a brief written explanation to the Illinois Department of Revenue regarding why they cannot file timely or pay. They should provide their full name, account number, mailing address and an estimate of when they believe they can file or pay their taxes. If using a Social Security number, include only the last four digits.

Requests may be submitted electronically to REV.DisasterRelief@illinois.gov or by postal mail using the address on the return. When submitting by mail, taxpayers should write “Severe Storms – Summer 2026” at the top of the return in red ink and attach or include the explanation for requesting abatement of penalties and interest.

Taxpayers who have already been billed for penalties should email REV.DisasterRelief@Illinois.gov and provide their name, business name, account numbers and the periods for which they filed late due to the storms to request penalty abatement. Taxpayers should also include “Severe Storms – Summer 2026” in any communications with the department when requesting relief.

Property owners who experienced damage should contact their county supervisor of assessments if they wish to apply for reassessment due to any property damage. The Motor Fuel Use Tax is not included in this disaster tax relief.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — A Bloomington man was arrested Wednesday in Indianapolis on an attempted murder charge after police say he fired seven to eight rounds into a white GMC SUV occupied by three adults and four children last month in Bloomington before fleeing the area.

A news release issued Thursday from the Bloomington Police Department said members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s special weapons and tactics team took Kafern P. Johnson, 32, into custody near the intersection of West 84th Street and Allison Avenue in Indianapolis without incident.

The arrest came more than two weeks after the June 23 shooting in the 1000 block of North Summit Street. That’s in a residential area next to Crestmont Park in Bloomington.

Monroe County Central Emergency Dispatch received 911 calls at 7:41 p.m. June 23 reporting gunfire in the area.

Responding patrol officers and detectives determined Johnson had fired into the SUV following a verbal fight with the vehicle’s driver. Police said the dispute stemmed from an argument over a relationship.

No injuries were reported despite the number of people inside the vehicle.

Following his arrest, Johnson was taken to an IMPD facility for questioning and later booked into the Marion County jail. On Thursday morning, he was booked into the Monroe County jail.

The release said Johnson could face felony charges of attempted murder, criminal recklessness with a firearm, and pointing a firearm. No formal charges have yet been filed, according to online court records.

Bloomington police asked anyone with additional information to call 812-349-3324.

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – World War II veteran Laverne Severson turns 100 years old on July 14. On Thursday, family, friends and fellow veterans gathered at the Freedom Foundation in Cedar Rapids to honor and celebrate the milestone birthday.

The National World War II Museum says fewer than 1% of World War II veterans remain alive.

Laverne served as a line medic during the war and was stationed in the Philippines.

“As soon as I turned 18, it didn’t take me about a month until I was going overseas,” Laverne said.

His son, Boyd Severson, recalled stories his father shared about life at his base.

“His base over there, he told me they would get air raids every morning. The Japanese would do an air raid and they’d have to run and jump into their foxholes. And this is stuff you see in movies, and he actually lived through this,” Boyd said.

Eric Parker, assistant director of the Freedom Foundation, said veterans like Laverne deserve recognition.

“As long as we are allowed to still be graced with their presence, then we need to just soak that up and just be really thankful,” Parker said. “There needs to be a remembrance and there needs to be a legacy there that we can honor.”

Boyd said the number of surviving World War II veterans in Iowa underscores the importance of events like Thursday’s celebration.

“Slowly but surely we’re losing this generation that, from what I’ve seen, there’s 250 to 275 surviving World War II veterans remaining in Iowa, and my father’s one of them and they all should be recognized. It all should be honored,” Boyd said.

And we had to ask…what’s the secret to a century of life?

“Crackers and peanut butter in the morning for breakfast!” Laverne said.