ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois State Police is warning drivers to keep an eye out for deer during the fall — which the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) says is when many of the accidents involving deer occur.

Most deer-vehicle accidents happen from October to December, between the hours of 5 to 10 p.m. and 5 to 8 a.m., according to the IDNR. But, accidents also peak in May and June as deer relocate to new areas.

To avoid a deer-related accident, IDNR said there are several steps you should take. This includes:

• Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to deer crossing signs
• Use high-beams at night — this could help you see a deer a few seconds earlier
• Use extra caution when near woodlots, field edges or water
• Slow down around curves where deer are known to be
• Prepare to stop if a deer is near the road — there are likely more nearby
• Alert other drivers if you see deer. You can flash your lights, tap the breaks or honk your horn
• If a deer is approaching, don’t slam on your breaks or swerve — it can cause a more severe accident
• Leave plenty of room between vehicles

IDNR added that if you hit a deer, you should pull over and turn on your emergency flashers. They also said you should not go out in the middle of the road to check on the deer — this would put you in danger of being hit by another driver.

State Police said that if you do hit a deer, you should contact the police or create your own crash report online.

“Remember the crash must be a single vehicle, property-damage-only crash where there were no injuries to anyone involved, and it occurred on either an Interstate or a U.S. or Illinois Route,” State Police said in a post on Facebook.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The No. 18-ranked Illinois State Redbirds snuck out a 21-13 win Saturday afternoon in a top-25 clash with South Dakota on Military Appreciation Day at the DakotaDome Saturday afternoon. L.J. Phillips Jr. notched his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season in the effort, while Will Leyland hits a pair of field goals.

South Dakota falls to 5-4 (3-2 MVFC) after the defeat this afternoon, snapping the 11-game home win streak. Illinois State improves to 5-3 (2-2 MVFC) with the win as it marks back-to-back road Valley wins for the Redbirds.

The offense got the ball to start the day and pushed into Redbird territory. Will Leyland hit a 37-yard field goal to open the scoring, giving USD the quick 3-0 lead. The defense did their job, forcing an Illinois State three-and-out on their first possession to get the ball back to the offense.

The defenses would trade stops into the second quarter with South Dakota holding the 3-0 advantage. The Redbirds would drive deep into Coyote territory in the second quarter and the Yote defense would get them to a fourth and short. Tommy Rittenhouse would roll out to his right and score the game’s first touchdown, making it 7-3 Illinois State.

On South Dakota’s first possession of the second half, Carson Fletcher got the offense going with 30+ yards on the drive as South Dakota responded with a touchdown of their own when Aidan Bouman found Jesse Miller all alone in the end zone to take the 10-7 lead.

Illinois State would push the ball deep into USD territory again on their first drive of the second half. As the Redbirds were driving DeJuan Lewis would get his hands on the ball as Rittenhouse was headed for the end zone and punch it out, then jumping on the ball to keep the score at 14-10 ISU. South Dakota, though, would be unable to get points on the ensuing drive as the Redbirds would again get the ball back and drive into Coyote territory.

Illinois State would get a touchdown in the third quarter to extend their lead up to 21-10 which would stand well into the fourth quarter. With under five minutes to play, the Yotes would drive into Redbird territory and Leyland would hit his second field goal of the day, moving him into a tie for the MVFC lead, with his 10th made field goal, as he cuts the ISU lead to just one score (21-13).

Illinois State would work to melt the rest of the clock as South Dakota got the ball back with under a minute left. But it would not leave enough time for the Yotes as Illinois State leaves Vermillion with the 21-13 victory.

Bouman etched a new career-best with his 38 pass attempts on the day, completing 21 passes on the day for 173 yards and the one touchdown. Miller brought in his first touchdown reception of his Coyote career, and Phillips Jr. had 129 yards on 26 carries. Fletcher saw a career-best 10 carries on 54 yards with a long of 17 yards.

Defensively, Nate Ewell again led the way with his nine tackles, while Caden Crawford had eight. Nathan Laperi posted his third sack of the season, while Lewis and Laperi both forced a fumble in the contest.

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CHICAGO (WLS) — An Illinois Lottery player won $1 million on a scratch off ticket bought in Chicago.

“It’s all so unbelievable!” exclaimed the anonymous winner, nicknamed ‘Papa.’ “I didn’t even realize it was a winning ticket until I scanned it at the store, just to double check. When the prize amount popped up on the screen, I turned as white as a ghost! I tucked the ticket safely inside my coat and immediately sprinted home.

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He bought the winning Jumbo Bucks ticket at P&S Liquor, located at 7319 Irving Park Road on the Northwest Side.

“When I got home, I told my wife, ‘We just won $1 million!’” Papa recalled with a laugh. “Even she couldn’t believe it. She stared at me wide-eyed and just kept saying, ‘What? Are you sure?’”

Papa and his wife are both retired and they plan to support their family and take a vacation abroad.

“I’ve never been to Europe, but our families are Irish and Italian,” said Papa. “You better believe we’re going overseas for a nice trip!”

The store that sold the winning ticket will get a $10,000 bonus.