Update: The suspect was pronounced dead at HSHS St. Francis Hospital. An autopsy is set for today (Saturday).

Thanksgiving Peace was broken for police who responded to reports of a man with a gun in Litchfield on Thanksgiving morning.  Litchfield Police fielded reports of a man with a gun.  State Police, Litchfield Police and the Illinois State Police responded to the call just after 10 a.m.   The man was spotted in the parking lot of the local branch of Taylorville Community Credit Union on Union/Route 16.  The subject displayed a firearm and two Litchfield police officers, a Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy, and an ISP trooper discharged their firearms. The suspect was struck and disarmed, and then transported to the hospital. No officers were struck or injured during the incident.
In accordance with the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act (50 ILCS 727) and the Illinois State Police Law (20 ILCS 2605), Special Agents of the Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation are investigating these events.
This investigation is open and ongoing. Upon completion of the investigation, all evidence and facts will be submitted for review to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney's Office. To fulfill our commitment to integrity and transparency, additional information, including the video, will be made public, when possible, with the advice and concurrence of the State’s Attorney.  No additional information is available at this time.  All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Hillsboro Police Attempt to I.D. Person of Interest in Felony Theft 

The Hillsboro Police Department is asking for the community’s help in identifying the individual in the attached photos. The individual is a person of interest in a theft that occured in Hillsboro during the evening hours of November 7th, 2022.  

If you have any information on the identity of the person in the photos please contact the Hillsboro Police Department at (217)532-6120.  

Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1(800)352-0136. You can also submit an anonymous tip to Crime stoppers at www.macmontcrimestoppers.com.  

Remember Crime Stoppers only wants your information, not your name. If your tip results in an arrest you could be eligible for a cash rewar

A major firefight in Litchfield as firefighters scramble to a blaze on West Edwards. The battle against the two story residential structure fire drew assistance from  Raymond Harvel, Witt, Mt Olive and Carlinville firefighters. ,Montgomery County EMA, Hillsboro Ambulance and Gillespie Ambulance all provided mutual aid. The building was next door to a iconic watering hole and while Chapps was spared direct fire damage, but suffered smoke and water damage. The building was vacant and there are no reports of injuries so far.  Chapps released a statement about their status and gratitude for the work of firefighters.  

“There are no words to express our forever gratitude to our local and surrounding fire departments. Not only once but twice yesterday did they put their lives on the line! It’s amazing our building did not catch fire. We do have smoke and water damage. We will obviously be closed until further notice.”  

After more than a century of service, the Main Building of Hillsboro High School will soon be retired to memories and the history books.  Hillsboro School District voters soundly supported a 13 million bond issue for a new facility that will connect to the remaining builings on campus, leading to cheers at a watch party last night at the Abbey on Broad.   The referendum passed by nearly a 2 to 1 margin.  The final hours of the debate over the referendum certainly were dramatic. Sorento based attorney and Attorney Geneal candidate Tom DeVore took issue with the numbers and theWith  claims of negative tax impact.  He didn’t take an issue on the project itself while he wrapped up his campaign for Illinois Attorney General. 

Speaking of DeVore, his race for Attorney General drew fervent support but it doesn't appear that support will lead to victory.  With 97 percent of the vote in, he trails incumbent Kwame Raoul 54 to 44 percent.

There weren’t many contested races but two races did get competitive with the Montgomery County Board squeezing down to a smaller size,  from 21 to 14 members.  William Bergen and Russell Beson will remain on the board in District 5 after defeating Democrat Richard Wendel.  In seven, Timothy Fogle was the odd man out as Bob Sneed and Andy Ritchie were voted in for new terms. The new board will have one lone Democrat. In other races, State Senator Doris Turner, who is leaving behind much of the listening area with the new 48th district map, won a fierce battle with State Rep Sandy Hamilton. . 

 J'Dah Koger of Nokomis was recently promoted to Principal at St. Louis Catholic School in Nokomis after serving as Assitant Principal previously, but now she is charged with theft in connection with that post.  The Montgomery County States Attorney's office announced charges of theft between $10,000 and $100,000 against her.  Andrew Affrunti's office reports she obtained control over electronic gifts and gift cards with the intention of keeping them.  According to charges, the thefts began in February, while she was Assistant Principal and continued until October 18th.   She was arrested last week.  Her first court appearance is set for December 8th.   Cheryl Gonet is serving as Interim Principal. 

Workers and guests at the Litchfield Super 8 got a big Halloween trick instead of a treat Monday night. Litchfield Police report shots were fired at the hotel just before 9:40 pm. After checking in at the hotel, police came face to face with a suspect matching the description of the shooter. 49-year-old Theodore White of Lake Charles, Louisiana was found in possession of a firearm and arrested. State Police and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted. Police say the gunfire came after White aruged with another tenant about noise coming frm the room. Police say White was involved in a physical confrontation at first, and after the other party retreated to their room, White reportedly fired two shots into the doorway of the room and tried to enter. The room was occupied by an adult inale, adult female and a juvenile at the time of the incident. White's attempt to enter the room was unsuccessful. He then quickly departed and was encountered by officers outside of the hotel where he was taken into custody. White is being held for prosecution at the Montgomery County Jail pending charges of Armed Violence, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon being presented by the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. Individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.