Illinois
NY man cycling across America is bitten by a dog in Illinois: ‘I just kept going’
Bob Barnes, 52, of Syracuse, New York, has been biking to each state capital in a single yr. On Could 3, he arrived at capital no. 39, Springfield, Illinois. (Bob Barnes)
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Bob Barnes, the person who’s bicycling to all 50 U.S. state capitals in a single yr, had a face-off with an aggressive canine inside days of reaching the state of Illinois.
Barnes, 52, of Syracuse, N.Y., visited his capital no. 39, Springfield, on Could 3. Alongside his cross-country journey, which started in summer time of 2021, Barnes has had just a few shut calls and a few harmful experiences; his tent even caught hearth amid his Michigan journey.
Barnes has additionally been chased by animals — together with a unfastened bull in Kentucky — however the journey in Illinois was the primary time he was bitten by an animal on his journey.
‘He was on a mission, and I knew it’
Barnes was biking by a rural space of Illinois when the canine — a blended breed, with a yellow coat and a beefy construct, he mentioned — got here after him.
“He was on a mission,” Barnes mentioned. “And I knew it.”
After he visited Springfield, Barnes was bitten by an aggressive canine. Seen on this picture from Barnes is a spot the place he arrange camp.
(Bob Barnes)
Barnes carries pepper spray with him in order that he is ready for any animals that come after him whereas he’s biking.
NEW YORK MAN BICYCLING TO ALL 50 STATES MEETS LONG-LOST HALF-SISTER IN LOUISIANA: ‘CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP’
Barnes, nevertheless, missed his first strive at spraying the canine in Illinois. That’s when the canine bit Barnes on his left buttock.
“I simply saved going,” Barnes mentioned. “I saved pedaling.”
“It did not rattle me … I felt I used to be in management.”
The canine saved following him, however Barnes used his pepper spray throughout the canine’s second and third strategy.
“I bought him good, and he went again residence,” Barnes mentioned matter-of-factly.
“I used to be very calm as a result of I’ve finished it a bunch of instances,” he added about warding off aggressive canines. “I wished to ensure I didn’t crash whereas I used to be taking a look at him and on the point of pepper-spray him.”
Barnes mentioned the Illinois State Capitol Dome is certainly one of his favorites from the journey. “It takes your breath away,” he advised Fox Information Digital about this nicer facet of his time spent in Springfield.
(Bob Barnes)
After visiting the Illinois State Capitol, Barnes visited a blood donation middle run by ImpactLife — he is made a degree of attempting to provide again to others throughout his journey. His bicycle is pictured in entrance of the constructing.
(Bob Barnes)
Barnes wasn’t injured, nevertheless — and the incident did not sluggish him down.
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“It did not rattle me,” Barnes mentioned. “I am really beginning to assume perhaps that exact can of pepper spray is not the energy it must be or one thing,” he added.
‘You possibly can really feel the historical past’: Using on Route 66
The Illinois State Capitol dome in Springfield was certainly one of this bicycle owner’s favorites to this point on his journey to all 50 capital cities.
“Whenever you’re up on the second degree, and also you lookup into that dome, you lose your breath,” Barnes mentioned. “It’s like trying down from a skyscraper, however you’re trying into the abyss. It’s actually cool.”
Using alongside Route 66 was a favourite a part of his journey to this point, Barnes mentioned.
(Bob Barnes)
“It has a lot character,” Barnes mentioned of the historic Route 66 freeway. “It’s a street — nevertheless it’s a vacation spot itself.”
(Bob Barnes)
Throughout his time spent in Illinois, Bob Barnes met a person named Tom who runs this small store on Route 66.
(Bob Barnes)
What Barnes particularly beloved in regards to the Prairie State was driving alongside Route 66.
FORMER UBER DRIVER BIKES TO ALL 50 STATE CAPITALS IN 1 YEAR
“It has a lot character,” Barnes mentioned of the historic freeway.
“It’s a street, nevertheless it’s a vacation spot itself.”
Barnes stopped to look at this sculpture in Lexington, Illinois, on Previous Route 66.
(Bob Barnes)
“You possibly can really feel the historical past on the street,” Barnes mentioned of Route 66. “It’s fairly cool.”
(Bob Barnes)
Barnes and his bicycle are pictured at Tom’s store on Route 66.
(Bob Barnes)
Whereas he was pedaling on Route 66, Barnes met a person named Tom who runs a store on the freeway.
“He welcomed me and advised me about every thing on Route 66, gave me some nice literature on what to search for in every city, which was superior,” Barnes mentioned.
He added that Tom exemplified the remainder of Illinois.
“Illinois may be very welcoming,” Barnes mentioned.
One landmark alongside Route 66 that notably stood out to Barnes was a filled-in subway, he mentioned.
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“Route 66 turned so busy that they needed to dig a tunnel beneath the street,” Barnes mentioned. “They known as it the subway on this little city, for the children to cross the road.”
“After which, at one level, they stuffed it in as a result of Route 66 went away,” he added.
This filled-in subway stood out to Barnes as an fascinating piece of historical past.
(Bob Barnes)
Throughout his journey, Barnes handed the world’s largest lined wagon, proven right here in Lincoln, Illinois.
(Bob Barnes)
“It was so odd,” Barnes mentioned of this statue in Atlanta, Illinois. “It was simply there and it was enormous — and it was like, ‘Simply come take a look at me, as a result of I’m an enormous Paul Bunyan consuming a scorching canine.’”
(Bob Barnes)
Barnes additionally stopped by a Paul Bunyan statue in Atlanta, Illinois.
“It was so odd,” Barnes mentioned. “It was simply there and it was enormous — and it was like, ‘Simply come take a look at me, as a result of I’m an enormous Paul Bunyan consuming a scorching canine.’”
‘Outrageous’ and ‘violent’
Barnes confronted a few different challenges whereas in Illinois: the wind and a damaged cellphone.
“I at all times really feel like persons are going to assume I’m exaggerating when I attempt to clarify the wind, nevertheless it’s outrageous,” Barnes mentioned. “It’s violent.”
The wind was so intense in Illinois that it knocked over Barnes’ bicycle.
(Bob Barnes)
“It’s extremely onerous, bodily demanding simply to pedal into the wind,” Barnes added, explaining that the wind has been the toughest a part of his journey total.
He mentioned it was much more difficult than biking uphill.
“It’s unbelievable how windy it may be.”
Bob Barnes, 52, of Syracuse, N.Y., has been biking to each state capital within the span of 1 yr. His subsequent cease after Illinois: the state of Iowa.
(Bob Barnes)
One morning, proper as he was heading out for the day, Barnes dropped his cellphone and cycled over it.
The damaged cellphone wouldn’t activate once more, so Barnes needed to discover a Verizon retailer by asking folks alongside the best way.
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“It didn’t demotivate me, nevertheless it did take a toll on my stress ranges,” Barnes mentioned of the incident. “I don’t prefer to admit that I get wired, however that was slightly troublesome.”
Barnes discovered the folks in Illinois to be “very welcoming.” He took this image in Cayuga, Illinois.
(Bob Barnes)
Barnes noticed this attractive rainbow within the sky in Cayuga, Illinois.
(Bob Barnes)
He was in a position to make it to the following Verizon retailer and get arrange with a brand new cellphone.
“The cellphone itself is essential,” mentioned Barnes, who has been documenting his journey and posting the adventures on Fb.
Subsequent cease: Iowa
After he left Illinois on Could 6, Barnes arrived in Iowa for his fortieth capital metropolis: Des Moines.
As soon as he visits every capital of the Decrease 48, Barnes defined that he plans to bike to Juneau, Alaska, after taking a ferry from Canada.
He’ll later bike to Honolulu, Hawaii, after flying along with his bike to the island.
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Fox Information Digital has been following Bob Barnes’ journey throughout America and detailing it for readers on this distinctive Way of life sequence. To atone for — or take pleasure in as soon as extra! — his earlier three journeys earlier than the one described right here, learn extra beneath:
NY man biking to all 50 states burns his tent down in Michigan: ‘I attempted to not panic’
NY man biking throughout America enjoys the ‘kindness’ he present in Indiana’s capital
NY man biking to all 50 states faces bull on the unfastened in Kentucky: ‘Imminent hazard’
Illinois
Michael Madigan once controlled much of Illinois politics. Now the ex-House speaker heads to trial
Illinois
Officials celebrate completion of $73 million project to preserve shoreline at Illinois Beach State Park near Zion
The governor along with state and local officials celebrated the completion of a $73 million project to preserve the rapidly eroding shoreline at the Illinois Beach State Park near Zion.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and local and state officials gathered on Monday to celebrate the completion of the Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project.
The $73 million investment provided for the preservation of several miles of natural Lake Michigan shoreline in three areas of the park.
Pritzker said the state park is “one of the many natural beauties that make our state special,” with dunes and swales, sprawling marshes, forests of oak and vast arrays of animal life and vegetation — including the last remaining natural shoreline in Illinois.
“And I am so proud and grateful that we could come together to protect it,” Pritzker said.
“Thanks to all those who tirelessly worked to execute this project – Illinoisans will continue to visit the lakefront here for generations to come, and we’ll keep this habitat and the local economy flourishing,” he added.
Officials say Illinois Beach State Park required immediate intervention to restore the natural lakefront, which was eroding at more than 100 feet per year and putting rare habitats at risk.
The new offshore stone breakwater structures shelter the Lake Michigan shoreline from wave energy and preserve the surrounding ecosystems.
The breakwaters assist in retaining the newly placed sand, slowing down the littoral process, and enhancing public access to the beach.
“Illinois Beach State Park is a natural treasure, and this project ensures its beauty and ecosystem are preserved for future generations,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Protecting our environment is not just about today but about creating a legacy of stewardship that will benefit our communities for years to come.”
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said it was a “very real possibility” prior to the project that the shoreline and the landscape beyond it would “vanish forever.”
“By working together, we were able to preserve precious natural shoreline and irreplaceable habitat,” Finnie said.
“In addition to the ecological benefits, this restoration is already attracting more visitors and special events to Illinois Beach State Park, to the Illinois Beach Hotel, and to the surrounding communities, driving more tourism dollars into this region,” she said.
The park remained open to the public throughout the construction of the breakwaters, which led to careful coordination with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to ensure safety and accessibility as 35,000 truckloads of sand were hauled within the park.
The general contractor, Michels Construction, collaborated with landscape architecture firm Living Habitats to install various habitat features at the park, including 10 tern nests, limestone ledges, 36 vegetated ecoblocks, 15 pieces of driftwood habitat salvaged from the area, five rock spurs, custom 3D-printed ecoblocks and 4,000 tons of cobblestone.
Beach Park Mayor John Hucker said the beachfront at the state park has always been a great place to visit for kids of all ages. “It is great to see the improvements completed so future generations can enjoy the beach and all that park has to offer.”
The Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project marks the first project in the Midwest to achieve Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Verification.
The WEDG Verification is a national rating system that recognizes resilient, ecological and accessible waterfront projects.
The project was also selected for the 2024 Best Restored Beach award through the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA).
State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, D-Grayslake, called the state park “one of our community’s greatest assets.”
“Over the years I have witnessed the landscape change and evolve, so to now see it revitalized to this magnitude gives me great joy. As a member of both the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee and the Appropriations Public Safety & Infrastructure Committee, this project highlights the investment in assets that cannot be replaced – our environment. I hope the one million annual visitors to the park can see how committed Illinois is to preserving and protecting our environment,” Edly-Allen said.
“Illinois Beach State Park is situated within a larger 4,500-acre complex of globally significant habitat,” Lake County Chair Sandy Hart said.
“Along with other public landowners such as the Lake County Forest Preserves, the Village of Winthrop Harbor, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and in partnership with private landowners, a bi-state public-private partnership is caring for this rare dune and swale habitat, which has been designated a Wetland of International Importance. The State’s investment in Illinois Beach State Park will accelerate the protection of this critical landscape,” Hart said.
PEORIA (25News Now) – 2024 was one of Illinois’ busiest construction seasons ever.
With an increase in the state’s gas tax, Illinois spent $249.5 million for 10 major projects in IDOT’s District 4. The gas tax is at 47 cents per gallon for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
The new eastbound McClugage Bridge is one of the major projects on the list.
“Once the deck is complete, then the contractor can focus on finishing the pavement approaching on the new bridge, installing all new fences and railings,” said IDOT spokesperson Paul Wappel. “There’s still a lot of work to complete, but we hope to open the bridge to vehicle traffic in early December.”
Weather pending, East Peoria’s Streets Department Supervisor Rick Semonski said the nearly $14 million Springfield Road project will finish before the end of October. He said it would not cause any issues for the annual Festival of Lights parade and the famous Winter Wonderland.
“Crews are milling and paving now, which is getting close to one of the final steps,” Semonski said. “The final steps, of course, would be cleanup, striping, and there’s some concrete work to wrap up.”
If all goes according to plan, the project from start to finish would only have lasted six months.
Below is a list of projects the Illinois Department of Transportation provided 25News, which outlines the statuses of the projects. Comments from IDOT spokesperson Paul Wappel are listed in bold.
Peoria County
- Eastbound War Memorial Drive (U.S. 150) at Adams Street (Illinois 29) in Peoria: The current extended lane closure is Illinois American Water. IDOT said they are not sure how long they will be there.
- Adams Street (Illinois 29) between Lorentz Avenue and Eureka Street in Peoria: Will stay the same until the new McClugage opens to traffic.
- I-474 at Airport Road (exit 5) near Peoria: Stage 1 of the project is complete, and the contractor is working on Stage 2 now. Weather permitting, they hope to get the Stage 2 deck poured this year, but the overall completion of the project is not until October 2025. This project is currently well ahead of schedule.
- Illinois 8 just east of Oak Hill; closed: The road is scheduled to reopen by early November.
- Illinois 91 north of Dunlap; closed: This reopened the Friday before Labor Day (Sept. 30).
- I-474 near the I-74/Illinois 6 interchange: The contractor is currently building crossover pavement that will be used over the next two years to reconstruct the bridges on I-474. Traffic control is expected to remain in place until just before Thanksgiving.
Tazewell County
- Illinois 78 over I-74: Currently finishing up stage 1 completing earthwork and Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and will be switching to stage 2 in about 2 weeks which entails removing the second part of the bridge. The estimated project completion is the end of December, weather permitting.
- U.S. 24 between Cummings Lane and Main Street in Washington: On Monday, October 7th, we will have a traffic shift on US 24 in Washington from Cummins to Main. The road will still be down to one lane in each direction, but we will switch from traffic using the inside (passing) lanes to the outside (driving) lanes. Currently, we are down to one lane in each direction, with traffic using the inside (passing) lanes.
- Ongoing construction to realign the intersection of Nofsinger Road and U.S. 24 in Washington will require lane closures on U.S. 24 that started in May. This stage of the project will reduce U.S. 24 to one lane in each direction between Cummings Lane and Main Street. Work is expected to be completed in October.
- I-155 near Hopedale and at Queenswood Avenue, Broadway Road; Allentown Road, Illinois 122, and Armington Road: The Queenwood Road and Broadway Road bridges over Interstate 155 project in Morton began in August. The project involves replacing bridge joints and resurfacing the bridge decks, and will require lane closures on both bridges through the end of November.
- Cedar Street Extension (Illinois 116/8) in East Peoria: This is part of the ongoing overhaul of the Cedar Street Bridge (Illinois 8/116) across the Illinois River. A new traffic configuration began in August. This is the first of 3 adjacent consecutive projects over the next several years. Currently, we have 2 ramps closed, and we will be closing all 4 ramps on 10/14 for 2 weeks. Hopefully, by the end of November/early December, (weather permitting) we will reopen all traffic on Cedar Street. In Spring 2025, there will be minor closures to paint the bridge.
McLean County
- U.S. 24 2 miles east of Chenoa: Stage 2 is underway. The contractor has completed driving, piling, and currently pouring the abutments. Beams will be set once curing is complete. The project will be complete by the end of November.
- Illinois 9 east of I-55/74 in Bloomington: Contractor continues to replace PCC curb and gutter, driveway entrances, and side roads. The city of Bloomington is nearing completion of the water main relocation, so the contractor can begin the reconstruction of White Oak Road. A pre-pavement meeting is scheduled for next week, as the contractor plans to begin Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) surface removal next week on Market Street and pave new HMA the following week. The estimated completion date is June 2025.
Woodford County
- U.S. 24 west of Eureka: Work on the U.S. 24 bridge continues with two-way traffic shifting from the eastbound lane to the westbound lane, controlled by temporary signals. This configuration is expected to last through October.
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