Illinois

Illinois’ important trio that stepped up big time in KJ’s absence

Published

1 year ago

January 9, 2025

Illinois’ important trio that stepped up big time in KJ’s absence

A surprise late scratch of a potential top five NBA draft pick like the one of Kasparas Jakucionis prior to Wednesday’s game very well could’ve thrown a wrench in the Illini’s recent momentum.

Or, at the very least, it probably should’ve looked like it had some effect. A 39-point drubbing? A 34-4 first half run? Alright, I guess nothing can slow down this Illini train right now.

Illinois didn’t skip a beat in its second emphatic victory in three games — and a big reason for that was the trio of guys it had step up to pick up the slack for its missing leader.

As read on TCR last night, the Illini made more history on Wednesday. Ben Humrichous, Tre White and Morez Johnson all reached 20 or more points, marking just the third time since the 1938-1939 season that Illinois had three 20-point scorers in the same game.

The individual performances of those three were particularly notable because all three of Humrichous, White and Johnson put up their respective big nights in entirely different ways. And all three used Jakucionis’s absence to send a message about how far they’ve already come just a quarter of the way into conference play.

For Morez Johnson, Wednesday’s 20-point, 11-rebound double-double encapsulated everything he brings to the floor the second he steps on it. It was efficient — done in just 20 minutes — and was the result of his constant energy and activity that found himself around the basket on what felt like every possession.

Johnson’s been perhaps the most consistently impactful producer in the Illini rotation all season. His per-40-minute numbers are absurd — try 14.6 points, 17.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. His total rebound rate would rank in the top five nationally if he had the minutes to qualify. He just hasn’t gotten the opportunity to stuff the stat sheet as loudly as he did Wednesday. A well-deserved and long overdue breakout night.

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Ben Humrichous’s explosive first half was the flashiest performance of the night, showcasing the ability to catch fire from deep that has always been there for him despite his December struggles. Humrichous nailed five first half threes and was a big reason the Illini’s lead ballooned in the midst of their dominating scoring run.

The most encouraging sign for Humrichous, though, is the way he’s beginning to diversify his game. Through December, Humrichous had attempted just 12 two-point attempts on the season, pretty much exclusively acting as a spot-up shooter on the perimeter. In just three games in January, Humrichous already has 14 attempts from two.

He flashed the ability to take advantage of mismatches with his size in some Marcus Domask-like mid post isos. He’s also gotten noticeably more aggressive attacking closeouts and finishing with force at the rim when the opportunity presents itself. Pair those things with a season-high 9 rebounds on Wednesday and you’ve finally got the version of Humrichous that makes Illinois its most dangerous self.

And quietly in the midst of everything else came another extremely productive Tre White performance. White reached 20 points and 7 rebounds in a similar manner to most of his recent production — doing a little bit of everything and doing it in a very efficient, inconspicuous manner.

Over the last 7 games, White is now averaging 16.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on remarkable 63.3% efficiency from the floor. He’s turned himself into a consistent second scoring option alongside Jakucionis when he’s out there while making the types of winning plays that result from competing to win, as Brad Underwood detailed Tuesday.

White has made significant strides in almost every area, from scoring off the dribble to rebounding to the defensive end, and it’s taken Illinois to an entirely different level. Wednesday’s performance showed once again how dangerous he can be when he’s attacking and playing with high energy.

As a whole, the Illini certainly hope they’re without their star player for long. But their response without him — particularly from the Johnson, Humrichous and White trio that will continue to be vital to their success — was a welcome sight.

Illinois proved they have the depth to survive a man down while also showing what things can look like when its complementary pieces are at their best. Right now, it’s hard to imagine anything slowing down the roll these Illini are on.

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Illinois

Illinois Tollway proposing increased tolls in 2027 to fund $26.5 billion in road construction

Published

54 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Tollway proposing increased tolls in 2027 to fund .5 billion in road construction

Illinois drivers might soon have to pay more to drive on the state’s tollways.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority has proposed an increase in tolls in 2027. If approved by the board, it would be the state’s first toll hike since 2012.

Anyone who drives in the Chicago area likely jumps on one of the Illinois tollways at some point.

“I try to avoid them, you know what I mean? But if I’ve got to get somewhere, and it’s like 10 minutes quicker, I’ll just take the toll,” said Shomari Dyson.

But that toll could cost Dyson and thousands of drivers who take it an average of 45 cents more per toll for passenger vehicles and 30% more per toll for commercial vehicles starting Jan. 1, 2027, if the Illinois tollway board approves the proposed toll hike, and those paying the tolls aren’t happy

“It’s ridiculous. I’m constantly getting tolls, charges, refills on my bank account when my iPass goes through. So, I can imagine it’s just going to happen more and more often,” Jon Jackson said.

Currently, tolls run as low as 30 cents and as high as $1.50 at various toll plazas.

This proposed hike could place the average toll well over a $1 every time drivers pass through an automatic toll plaza.

“I like to know where my money is going, and then [Interstate] 294 has been under construction for the last 15 years, and that is frustrating,” Frank Faso said.

The tollway said the hike is needed to handle projected repairs for road widening, bridge repair, and new technology. It’s all tied to a 15-year capital improvement program estimated to cost $26.5 billion.

The tollway board also wants automatic inflation-based increases every two years starting in 2029.

“We pay our taxes, man, you know what I’m saying? So all that extra, it’s nonsense,” Dyson said.

“If we’re going to void and not take part in things like the World Cup and Soldier Field that’s going to bring tax revenue to the state, they shouldn’t charge me for it,” Faso said.

The board must hold a dozen meetings in various counties to get the public’s take before voting on the toll hike. The first one kicks off in August, but drivers question if the public hearings are really about input.

“I think they’re just going to keep going through the motions,” Jackson said.

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Illinois

Illinois has already broken the record for number of tornadoes in a year — and it’s only June

Published

11 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Illinois has already broken the record for number of tornadoes in a year — and it’s only June

Illinois has seen more tornadoes in 2026 than in any year on record.

Following several more tornadoes confirmed this week across the state, Illinois has recorded 143 tornadoes so far in 2026, beating the previous record of 142 tornadoes set in 2024. With reliable records dating back to 1950, Illinois averages just 54 tornadoes per year. But in recent years, the state has experienced many more:

2023: 121
2024: 142
2025: 126
2026: 143 and counting

Unlike 2024, when a record two-day tornado outbreak accounted for a large share of the year’s tornadoes, the activity in 2026 has been spread out across several months.

On Thursday, June 11, a tornado outbreak brought at least 21 confirmed tornadoes to northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, 13 of them in Illinois. Two tornadoes that day — in Streator, Illinois, and Hebron, Indiana — reached rare EF-3 intensity, with winds over 135 miles per hour. Numerous injuries were reported from the storms, but there were no fatalities.

Confirmed tornadoes from June 11:

Long Point to Streator, IL: EF-3
Wenona/Osage Township, IL: EF-1
Graymont to Dwight, IL: EF-1
Lee, IL: EF-U
Harpster to Elliott, IL: EF-0
Pembroke Township (Leesville), IL: EF-U
St. John to Schererville, IN: EF-0
Paxton/Loda, IL: EF-1
Merrillville to Hobart, IN: EF-2
Ludlow, IL: EF-1
Cedar Lake, IN: EF-0
Schneider to Hebron, IN: EF-0
Watseka, IL: EF-0
Hebron to Kouts, IN: EF-3
Wellington/Prairie Green Township, IL: EF-1
Bartlett, IL: EF-1
Boswell to Atkinson, IN: EF-1
Ade to Mount Ayr, IN: EF-0
Naperville to Lisle, IL: EF-0
Hickory Hills to Garfield Ridge: EF-2
Morocco, IN: EF-0

Though most of the Chicago area dodged severe weather from storms this week, the National Weather Service confirmed a brief tornado touchdown Wednesday night in Lake County near Grayslake. The EF-0 tornado had estimated winds of 80 miles per hour and was on the ground for about a quarter-mile. Damage consisted of several downed or split trees and sporadic minor roof damage along a narrow corridor in the Saddlebrook Farms subdivision.

Four more tornadoes were confirmed Wednesday in western and central Illinois. NWS crews are still surveying damage in central Illinois, and more tornadoes may be added to the count in the coming days.

With 143 tornadoes so far this year, Illinois leads the nation in tornado count for the third time in the last four years — a remarkable statistic for a state not typically thought of as being in Tornado Alley.

The recent increase in tornado activity across Illinois and the Midwest fits research showing a shift in tornado-favorable environments away from parts of the traditional Plains Tornado Alley and farther east into the Midwest and South. Climate change is one likely factor, as warming temperatures are expected to make the Plains hotter and drier overall, shifting tornado ingredients eastward toward the Mississippi River.

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