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WVLI News Update
Stay informed with "WVLI News Update", the podcast that reports on local news stories with expert analysis and engaging commentary. Join Rob West, as he explores the political, economic, and social factors shaping the Kankakee area. Listen everyday, at your convenience, for all your local news.
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WVLI News Update
Friday, August 22, 2025
- Governor signs "Missing Persons Identification Act"
A new Illinois law will create new guidelines for missing persons investigations. Governor Pritzker signed the Missing Persons Identification Act last week. The bill requires law enforcement to immediately take a report when they are notified of a missing person and enter it into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System. The law also eliminates the practice of observing a waiting period before taking a missing persons report. It goes into effect January 1st of next year.
- What to do around Kankakee County this weekend
Let's find out what's going on around Kankakee County this weekend.
- Students return to Olivet this weekend
If you notice more traffic in Bourbonnais this weekend, it's because it's move-in time for students at Olivet. Luke Franklin is the Executive Director of Traditional Enrollment for the University. Franklin said enrollment at Olivet has been pretty steady following the COVID years. Classes start at the University on Wednesday.
- Drought concerns lessen
The latest map just released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor shows significant improvement in drought conditions across the area. The map puts just over two percent of Kankakee County in the "abnormally dry" category and the rest of the county without any drought concerns at all. Pretty much all of Iroquois, Livingston and Grundy Counties are considered to be without any drought concerns, while 14 percent of Ford County is listed as in "moderate drought". Another 25 percent of Ford County is listed as "abnormally dry" and the rest of the county without any drought concerns whatsoever.
Over in Indiana, pretty much all of Newton and Jasper Counties are now without any drought concerns, while about 12 percent of Benton County is just "abnormally dry". Thursday's map includes data gathered by the US Drought Monitor through Tuesday of this week.
- The Will County Fair continues today
The 122nd Will County Fair is going on now through Sunday in Peotone. Fair representative, Karen Dralle, has today’s events.