Thursday, October 2, 2025

• 21st Judicial Circuit elects new Chief Judge

The 21st Judicial Circuit, which includes Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, will have a new Chief Judge at the start of the new year. It was announced yesterday that Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington will step down from that position and Circuit Judge Bill Dickenson has been selected to take over January 1st. The Chief Judge is elected by the judges on the circuit and are elected for two year terms. Each chief judge can serve no more than two consecutive terms before stepping down.

• Child Network names new Executive Director

The Child Network has a new Executive Director. The children's advocacy center announced late last month that Brianne Hetman has been hired as the organizations new Executive Director. Hetman says her 24 years of experience in social services has brought her to the network.  Hetman says she hopes to raise awareness of the services provided by Child Network.  Hetman's first day at the helm of Child Network was this past Monday. 

• One of the ComEd Four begins prison term

The first member of the so-called "ComEd Four" is behind bars.  Jay Doherty reported to prison Monday to begin serving a one-year sentence.  The ex-president of the City Club of Chicago , Michael McClain, Anne Pramaggiore, and John Hooker were all found guilty in 2023 of conspiring to influence and reward former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in order to assist with the passage of legislation favorable to the utility.  McClain and Pramaggiore both received a two-year prison term, while Hooker was sentenced to 18 months.

• Man says he had gun pulled on him at Pembroke Park

Kankakee County Sheriff's Police report a man and his wife showed up at the Sheriff's Office Tuesday night to report they'd had a gun pulled on them in Pembroke Township. According to reports, it was about 11 o'clock Tuesday night when the pair showed up saying he'd been DJing a party at Rodeo Park when a man requested a song. The victim said he told the man he'd get to it and asked him to go stand elsewhere, to which the man allegedly said "don't tell me what to do" and pulled a gun. The victim told deputies he didn't report the incident immediately because there were children at the park at the time. Deputies are investigating the incident.

• Bourbonnais Police investigate home invasion

Bourbonnais Police are investigating a home invasion that happened early Wednesday morning. According to reports, it was just after four yesterday morning when two people broke into an apartment in the 300 block of North Stadium Drive in the Village. Officials say once inside the intruders made contact with the residents who scared them away. Nothing was taken during the home invasion and nobody was injured. It's not believed to have been a random incident. Bourbonnais Police are working to identify those involved. 

• Grant Park School cancelled Wednesday for gas leak

School will be in session as normal today for students in the Grant Park Elementary School. The school had to be evacuated for a time Wednesday after workers for a drainage project hit a gas main near the school. Students were immediately evacuated to the Grant Park Middle School and were later released to their parents. In a Facebook post, school officials say the broken pipe has been fixed and school is running as normal in Grant Park today.

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