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Could Peoria land a new Illinois River cruise option? Here’s what to know

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Could Peoria land a new Illinois River cruise option? Here’s what to know


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An advocacy group with ties to Washington, D.C., is working to bring a national cruise line to the Illinois River that would make a stop in Peoria.

The Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative, a group that advocates politically for cities and towns on the Illinois River, is in talks with American Cruise Lines to set up a cruise route that would travel the Illinois River and make a stop in Peoria.

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Representatives from the IRCTI told the Peoria City Council on Tuesday night that if the city agreed to spend $22,600 on a membership fee and join its group, it could become part of an initiative that, among other things, is trying to bring a cruise line to the Illinois River.

While the proposed cruise line wouldn’t be permanently stationed in Peoria, like the bygone Spirit of Peoria riverboat that left the city in 2022, members of the Peoria City Council said a cruise line stop in Peoria could bring back some of the energy and money the riverboat once provided to the city’s riverfront.

The proposed cruise line route — which is notably just an idea the IRCTI has kicked to American Cruise Lines — would fly guests to Chicago and then have them board a boat in Ottawa, Illinois. The boat would travel down the Illinois River and travel through Peoria on its way to the Mississippi River where it would then turn south to St. Louis or north to Minneapolis.

Bringing a cruise line to the Illinois River was just a small piece of the pitch the IRCTI delivered to the City Council on Tuesday. Ultimately, what the IRCTI said it would advocate for is making the Illinois River part of federal discussions around funding for environmental and business development programs that could tap Peoria into millions of dollars.

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To join the coalition Peoria, has to pay a $22,600 joining fee and then an annual fee every year it stays part of the group. The coalition includes cities such as Pekin, East Peoria, Ottawa, La Salle, Peru and Beardstown.

The City Council voted 9-2 on Tuesday to pay the $22,630 membership fee to join the IRCTI.

Councilmember Denis Cyr said he hopes the program is successful and does bring the millions of dollars to Peoria that was mentioned in the group’s sales pitch, but he voted against the measure because Peoria is the only city on the Illinois River that has a mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce its pollution into the river.

Councilmember Alex Carmona voted against the measure because he wants Peoria to find ways to be more “business friendly” that do not cost the city money.

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While he voted for the measure, councilmember John Kelly expressed skepticism that the advocacy group would succeed in its pitched endeavors to bring millions of federal dollars to Peoria. Kelly said he was not skeptical of the group’s “intentions” but rather “what it can actually do.”

Mayor Rita Ali was joined by eight other councilmembers, including Kelly, in supporting the city’s membership into the IRCTI.

Ali said the initiative will “attract millions of dollars to Peoria.”

Councilmember Denise Jackson was excited at the idea of bringing a passenger boat back to Peoria. She said $22,000 was a “drop in the bucket” compared to the earning potential that having a cruise line stop in Peoria could bring to the city.

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Cash App parent company agrees to $45 million settlement with Illinois, 44 other states

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Cash App parent company agrees to  million settlement with Illinois, 44 other states


Illinois will get $1.1 million of a $45 million, 45-state settlement with money transfer app Cash App’s parent company, which was accused of misleading customers about the app’s security.

Block Inc. will face $55 million in civil penalties and also have to pay customers nationwide somewhere from $75 million to $120 million as part of the settlement, which includes the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

In a statement, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the settlement holds the company accountable and requires it to “change its harmful practices.”

“Block told Cash App users their money was safe and falsely implied that the app worked like a bank, with the same protections,” Raoul said. “Block was aware that fraud on its platform was rising sharply and failed to warn users, strengthen protections or provide real help to users when things went wrong.”

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A company spokesperson confirmed the settlement and said the company has made “significant investments in consumer protection, customer service, and compliance.”

“We share the commitment of the attorneys general to addressing industry challenges and continue to invest in operations and technology to promote a safe and healthy financial ecosystem,” the spokesperson said in a statement provided to the Sun-Times Wednesday night.

The lawsuit accused the company of not preventing fraud, and even of having systems that made it easier to commit that fraud. Minimal identity verification allowed someone to create fake or multiple accounts, and the company had no phone support line. Instead, customers who had been defrauded often were provided by those fraudsters with fake online customer support phone numbers, the suit alleged.

As part of the agreement, the company must offer at least 13.5 hours of human-staffed phone lines per day as part of 24-hour support, as well as reimburse customers for fraudulent transactions, stop marketing the app as safe and educate users about the dangers of fraud.



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Illinois girl, 8, dies after being struck by lightning

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Illinois girl, 8, dies after being struck by lightning


An 8-year-old girl has died after she was struck by lightning while outside in the backyard of her home in LaSalle County over the Fourth of July weekend.

Girl killed by lightning strike

What we know:

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The LaSalle County Coroner’s office said it was called to emergency department at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ottawa on the evening of July 3 after the child was brought in following the lightning strike.

A forensic autopsy was conducted on Sunday. Preliminary findings determined the girl died from injuries caused by the lightning strike.

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What we don’t know:

Officials have not yet released the child’s identity.

The incident remains under investigation by the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office and the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office.

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The Source: The information in this report came from the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office.

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Lake Geneva boat accident, 3 kids drowned; Illinois school district responds

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Lake Geneva boat accident, 3 kids drowned; Illinois school district responds


We’re learning more about the victims in Friday’s tragedy on Geneva Lake.

Three kids, ages 10, seven, and six, were killed after they were trapped in the sinking boat during the severe storms.

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Officials won’t comment on their identities, but FOX6 learned at least two of them were students at the Community Unit School District 200 (CUSD 200) in Wheaton, Illinois.

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The district released a statement, saying:

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“On behalf of Community Unit School District 200, our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the children who died in a tragic boating incident in Lake Geneva on July 3. We ask that you join us in supporting these families during this difficult time, and keep them in your thoughts as we all cope with this incredible loss.”

Lake Geneva Police Chief statement

What we know:

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The City of Lake Geneva Police Department is opening up on the incident and the property destruction caused by the storms.

The police chief says, in part:

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“In moments of tragedy, we often see the very best in people, and that has certainly been true here. While there is still healing ahead, I hope everyone knows how grateful we are for the outpouring of support shown over these past several days. It has been humbling to witness and a reminder that no one faces hardship alone when a community stands together.”

Chief Ed Gritzner, City of Lake Geneva Police Department

The backstory:

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Walworth County experienced what law enforcement described as a “sudden and severe” storm on July 3. The National Weather Service said it created a downburst with peak winds estimated at 90–100 mph.

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The storm downed hundreds of trees and power lines, damaged several buildings and created hazardous boating conditions on Geneva Lake. One boat with 10 people on board overturned and ultimately sank. 

Six adults and one child were rescued from the water, while three of the kids were missing when emergency responders got there. Those three children were found and later died despite life-saving attempts. 

Emergency response on Geneva Lake after storms lead to calls for water rescue on July 3, 2026.

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Who was on the boat?

The latest:

The three children who died have been identified as a 10-year-old girl, a 7-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy. 

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The boat operator was a 47-year-old man. The other passengers were a 75-year-old man, a 73-year-old woman, a 49-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy.

The group included residents of Fontana, as well as residents of Batavia and Wheaton, Illinois. All four kids were wearing properly fitted life jackets, according to law enforcement.

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What happened on Geneva Lake?

Dig deeper:

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Law enforcement said the boat operator had “extensive boating experience” and was unable to find safe harbor when the storm hit. At least two large waves broke over the bow, causing it to take on water. Another wave hit the side of the boat, causing it to roll, capsize and sink. 

The sunken vessel was found in 32 feet of water, and three children were found inside the boat. Divers were able to get them out and bring them to the surface, and they were pronounced dead despite life-saving attempts. Investigators determined they had no external injuries and drowned.

What’s next:

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency are still conducting a joint investigation into the accident. Eleven other agencies assisted with the immediate needs.

The Source: Information in this post comes from the City of Lake Geneva Police Department and Community Unit School District 200 (CUSD 200), along with prior 

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