
Local Talk
Joliet City Manager Tom Thanas made it official this morning to 1340 WJOL that he has resigned. He has asked the City Council to enact a transition plan, so that he can fully step aside with a new city manager in place within the next few months. This morning on 1340 WJOL, Councilman Jan Quillman said she did not agree that Thanas may have been "forced out." But Mike Turk stated that he believes Thanas WAS forced out.
5-23 10 AM
A California man has been sentenced to 4 years in prison after pleading guilty on Thursday to stealing heroin from the Will County Sheriff's evidence locker and hauling it in his semi. 42-year-old Jose Zamango-Mena of Sun Valley, California pleaded guilty on Thursday to possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He was sentenced by Judge Edward Burmila.
A 25-year-old man on parole for burglary faces more charges. James Miles of the one-thousand block of Nowell Avenue was arrested Wednesday night. Will County Sheriff's responded to an initial call of a home invasion in the 18-hundred block of Brandon Road near Laraway Road. But Sheriff spokesman Ken Kaupas explains it was a residential burglary.
Miles was charged with one count of residential burglary and one count of robbery. He'll be in bond court later today. Miles is currently on parole for burglary.
5-23 11 AM
Will County Sheriff's officials have confirmed that the suspicious package found this morning at U S 30 and Spencer was an "already used special effects 'smoke producing device." Sheriff's officials say there was never any danger, and it is not known for sure if this item may have fallen off a truck that was on its way to the Electronic Daisy Carnival at Chicagoland Speedway, where numerous visual effect shows are scheduled.
5-23 10 AM
It's the most unique thing outside of an auto race to come to Chicagoland Speedway.....and THIS IS THE WEEKEND.
The Electric Daisy Carnival is presented by a company called Insomniac. And that's fitting, because there's a good chance that those attending won't be sleeping too much. This is an 18-and-over-event "weekend long campout ," with over 100 electronic dance music artists, carnival rides, and major audio and visual productions, and more. Like a race weekend, you'll have the State Police, Will County Sheriff's Police, and Joliet Police all working together. But this time you may have MOST OF THE ATTENDEES camping at the track, rather than just SOME. As Joliet Police Chief Mike Trafton says, that's what makes this a bit different. Therefore, all police officers will be treating the area around Chicagoland Speedway as "one little town" for a few days.
Will County Sheriff Department spokesperson Ken Kaupas says the cooperation between the County, City, and State Police will be a huge asset, just like when there's a race. And then, of course, there's the fact that the carnival ends on Sunday, followed by Monday being Memorial Day, with the annual large crowd coming to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetary.
For the record, with all the carnival goers hopefully gone by Monday morning, the Memorial Day ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetary will be starting at 11-30 AM Monday. They moved it back a bit this year to allow attendees to go to local services as well.
5-22 11:15 AM
The City of Crest Hill will hold its 25th annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday May 27th at 2pm at City Hall.
Guest speaker will be Congressional Representative Dan Lipinski. Chief Dwayne Wilkerson will give the Police Memorial address. Representing Veterans will be several Color Guards. Entertainment by the Frankfort Brass band. Plus Anna Mae Lukanic will perform during the ceremony. All area welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
5-23 11:10 AM