Litchfield Police are investigating a Friday afternon armed robbery that occurred at the Hampton Inn. Just after 1:30 pm, poice received a report of an armed robbery at 11 Thunderbird Circle. Police learned a black male subject entered the business and checked out with cash after displaying a handgun with an extended magazine. The suspect had face and neck tatoos and was wearing a red/pink and white horizontally striped shirt with blue and white blue jeans, a red stocking cap and white tennis shoes. He fled the scene in a light tan or grey mid size SUV and was last spotted on Route 16 moving west from Corvette Drive. Litchfield Police were assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Secretary of State Police. There are no reports of injuries.  

The Montgomery County Coroners office and the Illinois State Police (ISP) are releasing the final name of the seven vicitms killed in the May Day Dust Storm crashes on I55 between Farmersville and Divernon. It’s now official that none of the victims lost were from Mid Illinois. The last victim identified is 58-year-old. Otto Medina-Salazar,  from Carthage, MO A Wisconsin woman, couples from Champaign and Suburban Chicago and a resident of the North St. Louis County town of Florissant were identified previously.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Jason Plummer is working to help local businesses receive recovery funding through a state grant program implemented to help those greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plummer is partnering with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to host a Back to Business online webinar on Wednesday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. to assist businesses with the application process, and to answer any questions related to eligibility. Representatives from DCEO will be on hand to provide information and to guide business owners.

“This is an important program that could provide a boost to struggling small businesses,” said Plummer. “I want to make sure our local businesses know about these grants and are able to take part in the program.”

The Back to Business program’s new round of grants has $175 million available to provide to qualifying restaurants, hotels, and creative arts organizations. All applicants will receive a grant as long as they meet eligibility requirements and submit proper documentation and attestations required by the program.

To participate in the webinar, registration is required to RSVP@sgop.ilga.gov. Attendees must include their name as well as their business name, address, and phone number. Upon RSVP, participants will receive a link to the online webinar.

WHAT: Back to Business Grant Webinar

WHO: Eligible Business Owners

WHEN: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Virtual. Zoom link will be provided upon registration

Applications for the Back to Business program are due Wednesday, May 10. More information on the program can be found here.

State Police confirm multiple people are dead after a dust storm struck Interstate 55, triggering a nightmare chain reaction crash and/or series of crashes between Farmersville and Divernon. Again, authorities say avoid the area for the foreseeable future. -State Police believe two tractor-trailers caught on fire. Between 40-50 passenger cars were also involved. 30 people were taken to hospitals, a spokesperson for the Illinois State Police said. The interstate is closed from the Raymond/Route 48 mile marker 63, which is in Montgomery County, to mile marker 80, the DIvernon exit in Sangamon County. 10 medical helicopters werre requested to the area. At least 37 ambulances were dispatched from Montgomery, Macoupin, Sangamon, and Christian Counties. Panhandle School District sent school buses to get stranded motorists stuck on the highway.