State Launches $30 Million Grant Opportunity for Community Revitalization

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $30 million in funding for the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital (RDMS, $20 million) and Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE, $10 million) programs to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas throughout the state and accelerate local economic recovery initiatives. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of communities across Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “To boost job creation and improve local infrastructure and amenities, my administration is investing an additional $30 million to support downstate commercial corridors and downtown areas. I highly encourage all eligible organizations to apply for this transformational funding.”

The Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital program (RDMS) will provide grants for construction, repair and modernization of public infrastructure and amenities to boost jobs, improve quality of life and stimulate economic activity for communities that have experienced disinvestment. The goal of this program is to drive investment in infrastructure and public amenities that will invite more people back into Main Street districts and local city centers. The second round of RDMS funding builds upon $106 million in RDMS grants provided in 2022 – the state’s largest Rebuild Illinois investment focused on community revitalization.

“We empower our communities by connecting people with the resources they need to make the changes they want to see,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Downtown spaces are hubs for connection; people want to spend time together in public spaces when those spaces are clean, functional, and vibrant. I strongly urge communities that have experienced generational disinvestment to apply.”

Projects eligible for RDMS grants must be located in a commercial center or downtown area and may include, but are not limited to roadways, parking and public way improvements, investments in parks and venues or plazas for public use, sustainability upgrades, structural repairs, and mixed-use or transit-oriented development.

“The State of Illinois continues to prioritize promoting economic growth in communities throughout every corner of the state,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Through the RDMS and RISE programs, qualified entities are encouraged to apply for grant funding to revitalize downtown areas and boost economic recovery in areas that need the most support.”

Through the RISE Implementation Program, the State is allocating funding toward economic development projects or initiatives identified in plans produced with support from RISE Local and Regional Planning grants to accelerate economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible projects may include capital and non-capital projects such as water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure, investment in affordable housing, local workforce development programming, retrofitting or renovating facilities and buildings, investment in site readiness for business development, and tourism promotion programming.

“The RISE and RDMS programs will provide vital funding to help revitalize downtown areas across the state,” said Senator Mike Halpin (D-East Moline). “This funding is essential to Illinois' continuous efforts to boost our local economies and get people back on Main Street.”

Qualified entities for both programs include EDOs, local units of government and private for-profit and non-profit businesses. RDMS projects must be located in a commercial corridor or downtown area, and RISE projects must be aligned with a RISE Planning grant recovery plan. Applicants must demonstrate consistency with applicable local or regional economic development plans and provide letters of support from elected officials and other community stakeholders. Successful applicants will demonstrate that their project will address barriers to economic growth and/or stimulate economic growth and recovery. ​ Eligible entities are limited to one submission.

“Supporting our downtowns and Main Streets is essential to maintaining strong communities across Illinois,” said Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “The hearts and souls of our neighborhoods are often found in our local city centers, and the RDMS and RISE grant programs will accelerate economic growth that will be felt for years to come.”

Through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), qualified entities can apply for grants, with awards ranging from $250,000 to $2 million, with a minimum 25% match required for local units of government and 50% match for all other applicants. Applications will be accepted until July 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

“The RDMS and RISE programs are providing critical grant funding to communities that need it the most,” said Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). “From revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors to supporting economic development projects, the State of Illinois is committed to promoting growth throughout the state.”

To view the NOFO and apply for the grant, and register for the information webinar please visit the DCEO website. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov for application assistance. To help applicants prepare to apply for funding, DCEO will be holding a technical assistance webinar on May 1 at 10:30 a.m.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE WARNS OF PHONE SCAM

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is warning the public of a phone scam. ​ Over the past two days, ISP has received several phone calls from individuals reporting a person claiming to be an ISP investigator telling them their identity has been stolen. ​ This is a scam. ​ ISP special agents will not make cold calls requesting personal or financial information, or ask you to confirm personal or financial information. ​ ​ ​ ​

If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be an ISP investigator, ask for the caller’s name, badge number, and phone number, and then hang up. ​ Never provide or confirm personal or financial information over the phone to an unknown caller. ​ You can verify if a caller is an ISP special agent by contacting one of the seven investigative regions throughout the state, which can be found on the ISP website. ​ ​ ​

If you have provided personal or financial information to a caller, or think someone may have stolen your identifying information, ISP recommends contacting each of the three credit bureaus to put a free security freeze on your credit. ​ This will prevent someone from opening credit in your name.

·     https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

·     https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html

·     https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

You can also call the Illinois Attorney General's Identity Theft Hotline at 1-866-999-5630 (7-1-1 relay service). ​ You will be assigned a Consumer Advocate to guide you through the recovery process.

WABASH VALLEY COLLEGE NAMED ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU OUTSTANDING COLLEGIATE CHAPTER

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Farm Bureau recently named Wabash Valley Collegiate Farm Bureau as the Outstanding Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Outstanding Chapter Award recognizes the top Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter for their efforts in actively implementing the mission and goals of Illinois Collegiate Farm Bureau while making strides to both set and execute their chapter specific goals over the course of the academic year.

Wabash Valley Collegiate Farm Bureau successfully executed a range of goals during the 2023-24 school year, including establishing a memorial tribute for a former Collegiate Farm Bureau member. The college was successful in increasing chapter membership and community engagement through a variety of initiatives, including participation in the Olney Christmas Parade, the creation of an informative video addressing agricultural misconceptions, and delivering holiday gifts for children across six counties.

Wabash Valley Collegiate Farm Bureau's dedication to excellence extends beyond its campus as it maintains close ties with local county Farm Bureaus and actively participates in events such as Ag Acquaintance Day and local young leader programming opportunities. Additionally, the chapter maintains a high level of involvement at the state level through attendance at conferences like Young Leader Conference and IAA Annual Meeting.

Wabash Valley Collegiate Farm Bureau is invited to attend the IAA Annual Meeting in December where they will be formally recognized for their efforts.

Sullivan County Grand Jury Indicts William Ray Grimes for the 2012 Murder of Lowell Badger 

Lowell Badger was killed in his home on December 8, 2012.  The Indiana State Police have continued to work this case since that day.   

In early 2024, Sullivan County Prosecutor Ann Mischler learned she would need to request a special prosecutor for the case.  Special Prosecuting Attorneys Rob Roberts (lead), Dave Powell, and Courtney Lawrence were appointed on the case.   

On April 17, 2024, a grand jury was impaneled in Sullivan Superior Court to review the case.   After six days of evidence and testimony, the grand jury issued a True Bill (indictments) for the following offenses: 

William Ray Grimes

  • Murder, a Class A Felony

  • Burglary, a Class A Felony

  • Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, a Class A Felony 

Grand Jury proceedings are secret by law.  No further information regarding the proceedings will be made available.   

"This is the beginning of the criminal process," said Roberts.  "Once again, we encourage anyone that has information related to the murder of Mr. Badger to contact the Indiana State Police.”

Cold Case from 1994 Results in North Carolina Man Pleading to 30 Years

On December 5, 1994, a nineteen-year-old woman was kidnapped in Owensboro, Kentucky, and ordered to drive to southern Spencer County in Indiana under the threat of physical harm.  Once in Spencer County, the victim was sexually assaulted by an unknown assailant.  The victim was then ordered to lie on the rear floorboard of her vehicle while the assailant drove back to Kentucky, parked the car, and fled.  At the time, Indiana State Police and the Owensboro Police Department worked on the investigation jointly, but no suspect was ever identified.

In late 2022, Owensboro Police Department reached out to Indiana State Police Jasper District about submitting DNA evidence collected in 1994 into the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, in hopes of identifying a potential suspect.  In January 2023, it was determined the DNA matched Robert Daniel Shelton (60), of Hickory, North Carolina.  Shelton had an unrelated conviction in 1996 in Kentucky that required him to submit to a DNA sample.

In February 2023, Indiana State Police Detective Josh Greer and Owensboro Police Department Detective Cody Cliff traveled to Hickory, North Carolina to interview Shelton and obtain a confirmatory DNA sample, working in conjunction with the Hickory and Brookford, North Carolina Police Departments.  Indiana State Police Laboratory confirmed in March 2023 that Robert Shelton was the perpetrator of the 1994 assault.  An arrest warrant was issued for Shelton for a charge of rape.  Contact was made with North Carolina authorities and Shelton was arrested at his residence without incident.  Shelton was later extradited to Indiana.

On April 23, 2024, Robert Shelton was sentenced to thirty years at the Indiana Department of Correction after previously pleading guilty to the rape charge. Spencer County Prosecutor Megan Bennet said, “This case exemplifies the proficient investigative abilities of both law enforcement agencies. Without their diligent efforts in collecting DNA evidence, this perpetrator would have never been held accountable for his crime. The courageous victim in this matter finally sees justice after three decades of waiting.”

Original Suspect Sketch

ISP SQUAD CAR STRUCK BY DRIVER ON INTERSTATE 57 EAST OF ANNA

ULLIN – On April 23, 2024, at approximately 9:06 p.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a traffic crash in Union County involving an ISP trooper’s squad car hit by a motorist who failed to move over.

 On the above date and time, an ISP squad car was parked on the inside shoulder on Interstate 57 northbound near milepost 37.5, just north of Lick Creek Road, with emergency lights activated, handling a motorist assist. The trooper was inside of the squad when it was struck by a white Infiniti. The trooper was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Infiniti, 59-year-old Kimberly Keser of Creal Springs, IL., reported no injuries on scene. Keser was cited for the Move Over Law – Failure to Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

 Already in 2024, ISP has suffered 14 Move Over Law-related crashes with six troopers injured. In 2023, ISP had 21 Move Over Law-related crashes with seven troopers injured and suffered 25 crashes in 2022, leaving 13 troopers injured. ISP reminds the public that the Move Over Law, also known as “Scott’s Law,” requires all drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights activated.   

 A person who violates the Move Over Law faces a fine of no less than $250 and no more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years. Additional information can be found at the following link: https://isp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/340d57cd956c453da2de25af804c268d.

Secretary of state office continues offering more online services

By ALEX ABBEDUTO  
Capitol News Illinois 
abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com 

Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office.

This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services. 

Notaries are state-appointed officials who administer oaths, certify documents and act as witnesses to document singings for things like affidavits and bills of sale.  Until now, notary services could be performed remotely so long as the parties involved were in Illinois and the notary physically signed and sealed the notarized document. 

Now, the process can occur fully online through one of 12 notarization service providers listed on the Illinois secretary of state’s website, ilsos.gov. All parties can now participate remotely and notaries are allowed to use electronic signatures and seals. Individuals using e-notary services must have a valid ID and access to a device supporting audio-video communication. 

The office is also in the process of moving other functions online, including by creating an electronic lien and title system allowing drivers to manage vehicle titles online instead of through the mail. That system is slated for rollout this summer, according to a “modernization report” published by the secretary of state’s office last week.

Illinoisans can already file incorporation and court of claims documents, access business service and lobbyist databases, search for jobs and locate archived records through the office’s updated website.

The office rolled out “Skip-the-Line” and “Do-it-Online” initiatives last year in an effort to unclog DMV services by extending facility hours and online services and allowing Illinoisans to schedule appointments online. 

Read more: State driver services facilities to require appointments in more than 40 locations | As online DMV services plagued by no-shows, secretary of state launches changes

More than 1.5 million appointments have been scheduled since the “Skip-the-Line” initiative was rolled out last fall, according to the office’s modernization report. The state has also opened four senior-only facilities in Bridgeview, Calumet Park, Evanston and Westchester. 

The office is also going to start rolling out kiosks that would allow Illinoisans to renew their licenses, IDs and vehicle registrations at various community institutions, like libraries and grocery stores. 

Giannoulias said they will start with 10 locations – including one on the second floor of the state Capitol – and “hopefully” expand to 150 within a year. 

The report also indicates the office is cross-training over 2,000 DMV staff on all offered services to minimize the number of different people a customer might need to speak to during a visit.

Alexi Giannoulias announces updates to his “Skip-the-Line” program in July 2023. That program moved driver services to either an appointment-based system or online. (Capitol News Illinois phot by Andrew Adams)

Hitting Wife With Can Of Vegetables Results In Arrest

On 04.20.24 the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service reference a domestic battery. It was reported that a male family member had entered the residence, argued, scuffled and struck a female in the face causing a cut to her head. The male then left the area with his wife and while en route back to their residence he reportedly struck his wife with a can of vegetables, denting the can. Once the deputy made contact with the couple, 59 year old Alvin Addison was taken into custody and transported to the White County Jail. Addison has been charged with two counts of Domestic battery and is being detained by the court.

Three Arrested After Report Of A Suspicious Woman Standing By Route 1

On 04.18.24 the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious circumstance of a woman standing by the road on Highway 1 south at N 1120 Blvd. The deputy responded to the area and initially did not locate anyone. The deputy did observe a vehicle at a burned out residence that he thought was odd. Further investigation eventually revealed 3 occupants in an SUV with Indiana plates. The car had been parked with a piece of wood obstructing the registration. This has been an area where stolen vehicles have been recovered in the past. Of the three occupants the driver, Madison A. Pennington, 25 of Lawrenceville, IL, returned with a suspended driver’s license, and two active warrants out of Richland and Henderson (KY) Counties. Another female passenger, Ashlie G. Watson, 25 of Evansville, IN was found to have an active warrant with no bond out of Vanderburgh County. Jason R. McGill, 43 of Mt. Carmel was a rear passenger in this vehicle and had an active White County Warrant. Upon further investigation it was discovered that McGill was been incarcerated in Vanderburgh County and had been released four days prior. McGill and Pennington were determined to have acquired the GMC SUV from a person McGill was incarcerated with in Vanderburgh County without that person’s consent. McGill and Pennington were subsequently charged with Possession of a stolen vehicle as well. Pennington also received a charge of possession of methamphetamine. All were transported to the White County Jail and have been held over after detention hearings.