Crime & Safety
Illinois Quick Hits: Lee County campground evacuated due to flooding
The Center Square – Lee County officials say about 200 people were evacuated from O’Connell’s RV Campground in Amboy due to flooding that affected the area…
By Jim Talamonti · 2026-09-21T14:40:57.457Z
The Center Square – Lee County officials say about 200 people were evacuated from O’Connell’s RV Campground in Amboy due to flooding that affected the area on Sunday morning.
The Lee County Emergency Management Authority said it would be up to the campground operators to decide when O’Connell’s could reopen, but the high water did not allow vehicles to safely enter or leave the property on Sunday.
SIU PROFESSOR FATALLY SHOT, WIFE IN CUSTODY
A Southern Illinois University professor is dead after he was allegedly shot by his wife on Saturday.
The Southern https://thesouthern.com/news/siu professor killed in shooting wife arrested/article 6fb19daf d295 550e b67a 9bf91105f2ec.html reports that Kofi Akamani, 48, taught in SIU Carbondale’s Department of Forestry. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said Betty Akamani, 35, is facing various charges for her alleged involvement.
STATE POLICE ENCOURAGE FALL HARVEST ROAD SAFETY
As farmers move equipment along roadways during the fall harvest season, Illinois State Police encourage drivers to share the road and be patient. Illinois Department of Transportation data reported 275 crashes involving farm tractors or equipment in 2024.
ISP also encouraged farmers to avoid rush hours, busier highways and times of low visibility when possible.
PUMPKIN FEST CELEBRATES 60 YEARS
After Morton celebrated its 60th annual Pumpkin Festival over the weekend, organizers are accepting theme ideas https://form.jotform.com/262156853759066?utm id=97758 v0 s00 e0 tv2 a1demo0ef06wtv&fbclid=IwY2xjawUeB6BwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMU8xbTVDdWxFeDlnS3U1ZE1zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeO 3Gc9MBc tJz qXK5AVuUDSaGKJ8Ye8dh gvtDu Btg9yePOsApZA5OT4I aem FLr2uoLUV3CzuagmWvEkIA for the 2027 event.
The 2026 theme was “Bam Pow Pumpkins! 60 years of Pumpkin Power!” Illinois led https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article 56e4ac8c 0e91 421f af3d 5a52616c998e.html the nation by producing about 485 million pounds of pumpkins in 2024, or about as much as the next four leading states combined.
COOK COUNTY OFFERS HUMAN TRAFFICKING WEBINAR
The Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force has scheduled a webinar on Monday afternoon for those interested in learning more about how to address the issue.
The webinar is scheduled from 1 4:15 p.m. Registration is available online https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN f9QKR6l8RZaeMLjnQ2vZig /registration .
This story originally appeared on thecentersquare.com https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article bca1fee4 49f9 4e1e 862c 36ff7dce91eb.html .