Fishing Derby at Whalon Lake in Naperville

For the first time, the Forest Preserve District of Will County is sponsoring an “Adult Fishing Derby” at its Whalon Lake Preserve, in Naperville, on Saturday, May 18, from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m..  For ages 16 and older, this program requires registration and a fee of $10 per person.

Whalon Lake features an 80-acre lake that supports small and large mouth bass, channel catfish, red ear sunfish, bluegill and walleye.  

At the derby, find the best spot along the shoreline as you try your luck at catching fish.  Prizes valued in the hundreds of dollars will be awarded for the most panfish, biggest bass and biggest catfish.  A raffle will be held each half-hour.

Registration automatically includes an entry in the raffle.  Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase.

Pack a lunch and bring your favorite fishing pole.  One container of bait will be provided.

Fishing will be from 8:00 a.m.-noon, and winners will be announced as soon as results are tallied.

The first 25 registrants will receive a free giveaway.

Shoreline fishing and sidewalks are accessible for all participants.

For information and registration, call 708-534-8499 or visit ReconnectWithNature.org.

In providing programs and services to the public, the Forest Preserve District of Will County will make reasonable modifications to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to enjoy District offerings.  For more information, visit ReconnectWithNature.org/ADA

Summer Courses and Activities for Kids at Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College is offering a wide-range of summer classes and activities for kids of all ages.

For Preschool Ages 3+, offerings include a Princess Tea Party, a Lightning McQueen story time and activity, Thomas the Train Story Time.

For Grades 1-2, options include 4 day "Flat Stanley" and "Happy Birthday Amelia Bedelia"camps.

For Grades 3-5, options include Golf Camp, Baking Basics, Learn to Sew for Kids, Crazy Contraptions, Junior Digital Photography, Computer Drafting for Kids, Astronomy Camp, Simple Machines, Drawing Camp, and more.

For Grades 6-8, options include Technology Camp, Young Crime Solvers, 3D Animation, CPR for the Dynamic Super Sitter, Gaming Camp, Engineering Camp, and more.

High School Students can take Introduction to Veterinary Medical Technology, Kids College Culinary Camp, and more.

For more information on all the programs offered this summer at JJC, go HERE.

Boating Safety Course at Whalon Lake in Naperville

“Boating Safety Q & A,” a free program for persons at least 12 years of age, will be Saturday, May 18, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., at Whalon Lake, in Naperville.  The program, sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, will be held at the Lakeside Pavilion, located in the far parking lot alongside Whalon Lake.

The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct inspections to determine whether boats are in compliance with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ safety regulations.

After the inspection, participants will receive a decal to put on their boat signifying that it has been successfully inspected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Tips will also be shared on operating your boat safely

Forest Preserve staff will be on hand to answer any questions about boating at Whalon Lake and boating safety regulations.

This is an open forum, so you can attend at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. with questions that you have about boating safety.

Whalon Lake is located on Royce Road, west of Route 53, in Naperville.

For information, call 815-727-8700.

Joliet-Area State Senators Vote Against Expansion of Gambling in Illinois

State Senators Pat McGuire and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant voted against a bill allowing the construction of five new casinos in Illinois.  The bill--State Bill 1739--was passed by the Illinois State Senate on May 1, 2013.

Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant issued the following statement following her vote against the gaming expansion bill: “While I understand the revenue that gaming expansion can provide our state, especially in terms of education and social services, I am worried about the impact that this expansion will have on my community.”

Bertino-Tarrant fears the economic and local impact that increased gaming will have on residents of Will and Kendall counties.

State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) issued the following statement after he voted against gaming expansion yesterday: "We fought hard to keep the vote below the 34 needed to override a veto by the governor, and we did. I appreciate so many colleagues understanding that the market for casino gaming is limited. Allowing more casinos threatens communities like Joliet, which took the risk twenty years ago of bringing gaming to Illinois. I hope Governor Quinn realizes that and vetoes this bill--as he has its two forerunners."

The gambling expansion bill now goes to the Illinois House of Representatives for further action.

Illiana Expressway B3, Tier Two Public Meeting

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) are holding public meetings to explain "Tier Two"of the Illiana Expressway Study Process.

Now that Corridor "B3" and a no-build option have been advanced into Tier Two of the study process, the study team will focus on the land along the B3 corridor.  During Tier Two, the team will investigate where to locate interchanges and study environmental impacts.

The Illiana Corridor's website claims an Illiana Expressway "will reduce the strain of truck traffic on local roads, improve safety, cut commuting times, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility to jobs. Environmentally, it will help to reduce the number of travel hours and fuel wasted as a result of cars and trucks caught in congestion. IDOT and INDOT estimate the project will create or retain more than 9,000 construction jobs immediately, and more than 25,000 long-term jobs."

A group opposed to the Illiana--No Illiana For Us--does not agree with these claims and is trying to organize opposition to the Illiana.  More on "No Illiana 4 Us" HERE.

Two public meetings will be held, one in Illinois and one in Indiana:
ILLINOIS                                            INDIANA
Tuesday, April 16, 2013                  Thursday, April 18, 2013
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.                                5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Peotone High School                      Lowell Middle School 
605 West North Street                    19250 Cline Ave. 
Peotone, IL 60468                            Lowell, IN 46356

Officials from INDOT and IDOT will be on hand during the entire open house and a question and answer forum will be held each day at 6 p.m..

Jamie Doyle Defeats Bill Borgo in Manhattan Mayor's Race

Jamie Doyle won election to be the Mayor for the Village of Manhattan today, April 9, 2013, according to unofficial election results on the Will County Clerk's page.


Village of Manhattan Mayor's Race (Unofficial) Vote totals:
Doyle--668 votes
Borgo-- 390 votes
Mike Adrieansen--360 votes
Don Hunt--22 votes

Hollis Township Election Results April 2013

To view results from the April 9, 2013 election in Hollis Township, Peoria County, Illinois, go HERE to the Peoria County Clerk's Page.

New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education Election Results

To view results in the April 9, 2013 election for New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education, go to the Will County Clerk's Page HERE.

Coles County Election Results April 2013

To view results from the April 9, 2013 election in Coles County, Illinois, go HERE.

Bartonville School Board Election Results April 2013

To view results from the April 9, 2013 election for the Bartonville School Board, go to the Peoria County Clerk's Page HERE.