At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge attempted to dispel the notion that all Mt. Carmel Police officers do is write tickets. Judge said local officers responded to a total of 499 incidents in September and of those, just 3 speeding tickets were issued. Other tickets issued included 5 for a revoked license, 3 for uninsured motorist, 4 for no valid registration, and served 5 warrants. To illustrate his point, Judge said officers wrote 63 warnings, a big difference between that and the number of tickets issued. MCPD officers last month also handled 14 accidents, 3 mental health calls, 3 community events, 98 security checks at Wabash General Hospital, 55 residential security checks, and 8 business security checks. Judge said the comment that all the officers do is write tickets was uninformed.
Bid Opening Today On Pool Excavation Work
Bids will be opened today on the excavation work at the new city pool on Park Road. After the bid is awarded, Mayor Joe Judge said work will begin and should, weather permitting, be done by the end of November.
Republic Completes Large Pick Up Week
Republic Services was back in town yesterday finishing up some spots that were missed during last week’s big trash pick up in Mt. Carmel. Garbage commissioner Susan Zimmerman said the locations were skipped by mistake last week and were scheduled to be picked up Tuesday. She said those that were picked up yesterday were residences that had called City Hall to let them know they were missed.
Mt. Carmel Man Going To DOC On Meth Charges
59-year-old Wayne L. Davis of Mt. Carmel was sentenced in both Edwards and Wayne counties last week on meth related charges. He had been on probation out of Edwards County since February on a meth possession charge.. but violated that probation and was sentenced to 3 years in state prison. In Wayne County, he was charged with delivery of meth and possession of meth - and was sentenced to 3 years in prison to run concurrently with his Edwards County sentence. He will also serve one year of mandatory supervised release following his prison sentence.
City Crews Prep For Leaf Season
Even though leaves aren’t falling in big quantities yet, the city of Mt. Carmel is getting ready for the leaf vac season. Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb told the city council Monday that the start of the leaf pick up routes is dependent on the leaves and when they begin falling. Once they do, Gidcumb said the city’s equipment will be ready to roll.
Lane closures planned for I-69 in Gibson County
GIBSON COUNTY Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for I-69 in Gibson County.
Beginning on or around Monday, October 20, crews will begin alternating lane closures on I-69 near Mackey and Glezen. These lane closures will occur between State Road 168 and State Road 57.
Alternating lane closures will allow for road paving operations. Paving operations will begin in northbound lanes, followed by work on the southbound lanes. Work is expected to last through the end of November, depending on the weather. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and use extra caution while traveling in and around work zones.
Oakland City man arrested for DUI
On October 12, 2025, at 12:21 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Red 2017 Toyota Corolla for disregarding a stop sign at the intersection of Main and Washington Street in Oakland City. Upon conducting the traffic stop in the 300 block of West Morton Deputy Hunt identified the driver as 33-year-old Benjamin Heldt of Oakland City. While speaking with Mr. Heldt Deputy Hunt detected multiple clues that the driver was under the influence. At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation. Once the inquiry was completed Deputy Hunt placed Mr. Hunt into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the Detention Center Mr. Heldt was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Deputy Levi Sims and Oakland City Police Officer Michael McGregor assisted Deputy Hunt in his investigation.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Traffic stop leads to arrest of duo
On October 12, 2025, at 1:37 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Levi Sims conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2017 Audi S7 for conducting an unsafe lane movement on US 41 near County 225 North. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Sims identified the driver as 39-year-old Frederick Bowers of Tarboro, North Carolina. During a roadside investigation law enforcement detected the odor of alcohol coming from Mr. Bowers and DUI investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Bowers was taken into custody, and law enforcement officers began to speak with a passenger, 27-year-old Jediah West of Vincennes. While speaking with Ms. West a stolen .380 Caliber handgun was recovered from her possession. After both occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody an inventory of the vehicle revealed a second handgun found in the vehicle. At the conclusion of the roadside investigation both individuals were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the Detention Center Mr. Bowers was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated/Endangerment and Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon. Ms. West was charged with Theft of a Firearm.
Deputy Levi Sims was assisted in his investigation by Deputy Wyatt Hunt and Princeton Sgt. Ben Kiesel and Officer Jackie Wood.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
City Council Approves Letter Of Intent To Turn Snap On Property Into Solar Farm
The former Snap On Tools property on Oak Street could soon become the site of a solar farm. At a special City Council meeting yesterday, city clerk Ryan Turner said a local group, Tick Tock Energy headed by developer Dean Kieffer, is looking to lease the approximately 11 acre site for a period of 40 years. Tick Tock would be responsible to maintain the property saving the city money and manpower. Turner said Tick Tock plans to spend about $5 million on turning the land into a solar farm, energy from which would be targeted to low income households, city entities, and non profits in Mt. Carmel. Energy savings for those opting into the program could approach 40% according to Turner. The city council Monday greenlit the proposal to the next step. For its’ part, Tick Tock will pay the city $100 a year and pay the property taxes on the site. The $100 annual fee is the same amount the city charges West Berwick for use of the clubhouse at the golf course. Turner and Mayor Joe Judge will now continue discussions with Tick Tock before the deal is finalized.
Turner told the council where the energy generated from the solar farm would be targeted…
Turner explained how the process would work for low income households to take advantage of the reported 40% energy savings….
The approval on Monday from the City Council was just the first step in the process as the developer, Tick Tock Energy headed by Dean Kieffer, will now apply for grant funding.
Illinois sues to block Trump’s National Guard deployment to Chicago
Lawsuit comes hours after federal judge blocked troops' activation to Oregon
By BEN SZALINSKI
BRENDEN MOORE
& HANNAH MEISEL
Capitol News Illinois
news@capitolnewsillinois.com
Article Summary
Illinois and Chicago are suing the Trump administration to block the deployment of National Guard Troops to Chicago. Trump officials ordered the activation of 300 Illinois National Guardsmen over Gov. JB Pritzker’s objections over the weekend.
Late Sunday night, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed he is sending 400 National Guard troops to other states — including Illinois — at the president’s request.
The lawsuit follows an Oregon federal judge’s rulings Saturday and Sunday blocking the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland. They echoed a similar ruling in California last month that found Trump exceeded his authority in sending more than 1,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles this summer.
In the Illinois lawsuit, state and city officials say the National Guard deployment will only further escalate tensions, increase mistrust of police and cause economic harm.
This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
CHICAGO — Illinois and Chicago filed a federal lawsuit Monday to block the Trump administration’s planned deployment of National Guard troops to the state — a move Gov. JB Pritzker called an “invasion.”
Trump pushed forward with the plan to activate hundreds of National Guard soldiers, including some from Texas, despite monthslong opposition from state and local leaders, as well as objections from civic and business groups in the city.
“We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion,” Pritzker said in a statement Sunday night. “It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state’s military troops.”
Read more: Over Pritzker’s objections, Trump sending 300 National Guardsmen to Chicago, governor says
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asked President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy troops to Illinois to protect federal immigration officers and facilities. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview, a near-west suburb of Chicago, has been the site of several clashes between ICE agents and demonstrators in recent weeks.
But Pritzker, who said Saturday that he refused the Trump administration’s “ultimatum” to activate the National Guard himself, has insisted there is no emergency necessitating guardsmen on the ground. He also warned that White House officials would use any conflict between immigration agents and civilians as a “pretext” for military occupation.
“It will cause only more unrest, including harming social fabric and community relations and increasing the mistrust of police,” the lawsuit said.
The suit, filed in the Northern District of Illinois, names Trump, Noem and Hegseth as defendants.
Texas National Guard also activated
Illinois filed its lawsuit hours after Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he will send 400 guardsmen to cities around the country, including Chicago, and after a federal judge in Oregon blocked National Guard deployments to Portland.
The order is “effective immediately for an initial period of 60 days” and subject to extension, according to the memo, signed by Hegseth. It comes a day after Pritzker confirmed Trump’s intention to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard.
“The American people, regardless of where they reside, should not live under the threat of occupation by the United States military, particularly not simply because their city or state leadership has fallen out of a president’s favor,” the lawsuit reads. “To guard against this, foundational principles of American law limit the president’s authority to involve the military in domestic affairs. Those bedrock principles are in peril.”
ILLUSTRATION
The promised deployment comes as ICE has ramped up activity in Chicago and its suburbs as part of “Operation Midway Blitz,” which has so far resulted in more than 800 arrests according to the Department of Homeland Security.
There have also been two shootings since the clashes began. On Saturday, the governor called the administration’s National Guard activation a “manufactured performance” and not about protecting public safety.
Though the Trump administration insists ICE is targeting undocumented immigrants who have criminal backgrounds, reports have mounted of agents arresting those with no history of illegal activity, detaining children along with their parents and even handcuffing U.S. citizens and children with zip ties. Immigrant and civil rights groups have alleged ICE is arresting people without warrants in violation of a federal consent decree.
The lawsuit also alleges ICE activity in Chicago and its suburbs has already subjected Illinois “to serious and irreparable harm.”
Read more: ‘We are not backing down’: Feds ramp up immigration raids in Chicago area | DHS Secretary Noem defends ICE tactics in second Illinois visit
“It also creates economic harm, depressing business activities and tourism that not only hurt Illinoisians but also hurt Illinois’s tax revenue,” the complaint said.
That argument echoes one made by a group of Chicago business and civic groups over the weekend.
“National Guard troops on our streets, like those reportedly being ordered here by the federal government, have the potential to sow fear and chaos, threatening our businesses’ bottom lines and our reputation,” the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Civic Federation said in a joint statement Saturday.
Read the lawsuit here.
Order violates states’ rights
Attorney General Kwame Raoul argues the troop deployment violates Illinois’ rights as sovereign state to carry about its own law enforcement, as well as 1878 Posee Comitatus Act that bans the military from participating in domestic law enforcement.
The lawsuit also claims the Trump administration failed to meet any criteria that could allow the president to federalize the National Guard. The president can federalize the National Guard to stop a foreign invasion, when the president can’t execute the laws of the country or to stop a rebellion.
Raoul and state leaders have argued for weeks that Trump would use protests in Broadview as a “flimsy pretext” to claim a rebellion.
Several protestors have been arrested near the facility in recent weeks on charges of assaulting officers. Federal agents have sprayed tear gas and fired nonlethal ammunition into crowds that have gathered there.
Over the weekend, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot a woman on the city’s Southwest Side in a confrontation with protesters. Prosecutors eventually charged the woman and another protestor with attempting to “assault, impede, and interfere with the work of federal agents in Chicago.” According to the Chicago Sun-Times, agents fired “defensive shots” when they saw the woman was allegedly “armed with a semi-automatic weapon,” and she was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment before she was charged.
Further, the lawsuit argues the Trump administration has entirely manufactured any public safety crisis in Illinois that would require military intervention. It cites a 2013 social media post by Trump, two years before he announced his candidacy for president, that suggested the military should be deployed to Chicago. It lists several other derogatory comments Trump made about the city, state and their leaders over the years, including as president.
SCREENSHOTS
Read more: As Trump declares ‘we’re going in,’ Pritzker says ‘terror and cruelty is the point’
The lawsuit argues that animosity culminated last week with Trump claiming during a speech to military generals that there was an “invasion from within” and suggesting cities like Chicago should be used as “training grounds” for the military.
How soldiers will be deployed
The lawsuit includes new details about how federal officials communicated with state leaders and gave Pritzker an ultimatum.
DHS sent a memo to the Illinois National Guard on Sept. 28 stating troops “would integrate with federal law enforcement operations, serving in direct support of federal facility protection, access control, and crowd control.”
On Saturday morning, Illinois National Guard Adjutant General Rodney Boyd received a formal email from the Defense Department National Guard Bureau saying Trump asked for at least 300 soldiers, and if Boyd did not activate them within two hours, Hegseth would federalize them. Boyd responded that Pritzker declined to activate the guard. Defense officials sent a new memo late Saturday saying the guard was federalized.
Illinois National Guard leaders received another memo on Sunday informing them soldiers from Texas would be sent to Chicago beginning Monday.
Read more: As Illinois congressional delegation seeks answers, ICE cancels meeting
Abbott, a Republican and ardent Trump supporter, has been a frequent foil of Pritzker, bussing thousands of asylum-seeking migrants from the border to Chicago in 2023 and 2024 and criticizing the Illinois governor for welcoming Texas Democratic legislators who fled their state this summer amid a partisan redistricting fight. He said in a social media post that Pritzker “can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let the Texas Guard do it.”
Prior to this year, the last time a president federalized a state's National Guard without a request from a state's governor was in 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent federal troops to protect civil rights protesters in Alabama without the cooperation of segregationist Gov. George Wallace.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
