Hawks flipped last year’s script, beating Herscher 2-1 behind balanced play and tough serving
FAIRBURY - What a difference a year makes. In the 2024 season opener, Herscher handed Prairie Central its third straight loss. This time, the Hawks flipped the script, pulling out a three-set victory Thursday night over the visiting Tigers to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Prairie Central dropped the opening set 23-25, but showed composure under pressure to even the match with a 25-23 win in the second. The Hawks then dominated the deciding set, cruising to a 25-9 finish.
"There was a very long delay tonight and the girls did a great job of pushing through it and finishing out the set for the match win," said head coach Kirsten Smith. "It was definitely a late home match but it was worth it in the end. I am so proud of these girls."
Balance proved to be the difference. Outside hitter Miranda Hari turned in a standout all-around performance with 12 kills, 12 digs, nine service points and three aces. Setter Kyah Creek directed the offense with 22 assists and added seven kills. At the net, Mia Elliott contributed three assisted blocks while scoring 12 service points and four aces. Defensively, libero Paige Young anchored the back row with 18 digs as the Hawks’ coverage frustrated Herscher in the final two sets.
"The girls played as a unit so well tonight and definitely gave their solid effort," Smith added. "Our setter, Kyah Creek, did a great job at seeing both sides of the court and knowing when to tip."
The Hawks are off to a stronger start than last year, when they finished 15-22 and seventh in the Illini Prairie Conference. They will next test their progress at the Livingston County Tournament on Saturday.
Earlier, Prairie Central's sophomore squad lost in straight sets 25-15, 25-20. The freshman squad also took down their opponents after third-set rally, winning 25-22, 24-26, 16-14.
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IPC football fans, grab your popcorn! IPC football fans test their prediction skills in The Sentinel’s first Friday Night Forecast of the 2025 season.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Monticello’s Landon Carlisle tries to keep Unity’s Hunter Eastin from making a play during their Class 3A state semifinal game in 2024. Eastin has moved on, but Carlisle, now a sophomore, will be back to help the Sages contend for the top of the Illini Prairie Conference. Both programs received unanimous picks to win this week’s season opener in the Friday Night Forecast.URBANA - Ladies and gentlemen, football fans of Illini Prairie—brace yourselves! The Sentinel is kicking off the very first season of the Friday Night Forecast, and the stakes are higher than ever. We welcome four brave challengers—Alan, J, Denise, and Sara—ready to test their prediction skills and claim glory!
But standing in their way is none other than Clark Brooks, Champaign-Urbana’s very own oracle of the gridiron, a titan of pigskin prophecy whose foresight has baffled, amazed, and humbled even the boldest fans.
Grab your umbrellas, grab your popcorn, and get ready for a clash of football wits! Here are the picks from the Sentinel’s inaugural Friday Night Forecast.
P.S. Best of luck to all IPC football programs this season—may your dedication, off-season training, and pursuit of excellence shine on the field!
Week 1 predictions
Illini Prairie Game of the Week
Paxton-Buckley-Loda vs Central Catholic
Alan: Central Catholic .::. 28-7 Denise: Central Catholic .::. 14-7 J: Central Catholic .::. 21-6 Sara: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 27-26
Brooks Look: Last fall, Paxton-Buckley-Loda (7-4) shocked BCC (5-5), winning in overtime, 22-21. The Panthers will be without quarterback Conner Vaughn and Robert Boyd-Meents, who piled up 186 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries in the IPC thriller. Considering that the Saints haven’t posted a win in their last two visits to Paxton, and both programs are 2-2 since the dark days of COVID, PBL - with home-field advantage - takes this one, no overtime needed, with a second-half comeback.
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 28, Central Catholic 21
Pontiac @ Coal City
Alan: Pontiac .::. 14-12 Denise: Pontiac .::. 28-14 J: Coal City .::. 35-6 Sara: Coal City .::. 40-14 Brooks Look: Pontiac returns just three starters on both sides of the ball from last year’s one-win season. The Indians, who have won four games in as many years, are rebuilding under former Unity star - and now Athletic Director and head coach - Zach Gadbury. Coal City, stocked with 17 seniors, finished 2024 with a respectable 10-3 record. Bench depth and experience should give them the edge here.
Coal City 42, Pontiac 14
Unity vs Rantoul
Alan: Unity .::. 28-14 Denise: Unity .::. 32-7 J: Unity .::. 49-0 Sara: Unity .::. 39-6 Brooks Look: Improving from an 0-9 season in 2023 to 1-8 last year with a win over Pontiac, Rantoul faces a team hungry for a trip to the Class 3A state title game after a heartbreaking semifinal loss to Monticello last November. Unity’s tradition and culture of winning won’t be tested in their home season opener. Look for Rocket quarterback Dane Eisenmenger to put up big numbers early.
Unity 49, Rantoul 13
Prairie Central vs St. Joseph-Ogden
Alan: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 28-7 Denise: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 28-21 J: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 35-7 Sara: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 48-21
Brooks Look: This game has the markings of a shootout, with Prairie Central’s Dalton Steidinger on one side of the ball and St. Joseph-Ogden’s Kodey McKinney on the other. Even with Steidinger passing for 992 yards last fall, the Hawks finished 5-5 overall and 4-4 in conference play. McKinney, on the other hand, hoarded 2,351 yards, resulting in 29 touchdowns, and led SJO to an undefeated conference run. If Prairie Central can’t contain SJO’s passing game and stop Wyatt Wertz on the ground, this could easily turn into a lopsided affair.
St. Joseph-Ogden 35, Prairie Central 16
IVC vs Monticello
Alan: Illinois Valley Central .::. 35-32 Denise: Monticello .::. 21-14 J: Monticello .::. 21-14 Sara: Monticello .::. 32-27
Brooks Look:Illinois Valley Central (3-6) won three of its last four games at the end of the 2024 season and will give the Sages a run for their money early in the home opener. However, the Class 3A runner-up will shake off first-quarter jitters as last year’s juniors and sophomores adjust to their new roles before picking up where the team left off in November.
Monticello 42, IVC 21 Get ready to weather the storm of predictions! Next week, the Friday Night Forecast rolls on, and it’s your chance to bring the sunshine—or stir up a little gridiron thunder. Will you be a clear-sky champion or get caught in a hailstorm of wrong picks? Drop back by to enter your picks for the Week 2 Illini Prairie football games.
URBANA - The Sentinel kicks off its new weekly feature, the Friday Night Forecast, inviting Big Twelve football fans to test their prediction skills throughout the regular season. In our opening poll for Week 1, just two entries were submitted, but early results showed strong consensus. Fans were unanimous on the winners in four of the seven conference matchups, including tonight’s opener with Champaign Central hosting Springfield.
Below are the picks from the Sentinel’s inaugural Friday Night Forecast.
Week 1 predictions
Champaign Central vs Springfield
Alan: Champaign Central .::. 36-14 Clark: Springfield H.S. .::. 27-14
Alan: Normal Community .::. 45-13 Clark: Normal Community .::. 14-7
Peoria Manual vs Normal University
Alan: Normal University .::. 42-18 Clark: Normal University .::. 21-14
Normal West @ Peoria Notre Dame
Alan: Normal West .::. 41-28 Clark: Peoria Notre Dame .::. 28-24
Centennial vs Peoria
Alan: Peoria .::. 46-21 Clark: Peoria .::. 24-21
Urbana vs St. Teresa
Alan: St. Teresa .::. 40-8 Clark: St. Teresa .::. 35-14
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ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden's Tyler Hess is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal in the first half. The junior led the team to a 5-3 win over University High on Wednesday at Dick Duval Field. Hess, who is the top finisher in the area with a hat trick in the team's first three matches this season, will try to make it four in a row in the undefeated Spartans' road game against the Vermilion Valley Conference's Hoopeston Area Cornjerkers on Friday. More photos and game recap coming soon.
Dirty filters and ducts cost you more than you think. Regular duct and system cleaning improves efficiency, reduces repairs, and helps protect your HVAC investment.
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Your HVAC system filters out airborne particles such as dust, allergens, and pet dander. Neglected filters can reduce air quality and trigger allergies or respiratory issues. The American Lung Association advises that maintaining your HVAC system and upgrading filters can improve indoor air quality.
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Like a car, HVAC systems require routine tune-ups. Preventive care identifies small issues before they become expensive repairs. A National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) study found cleaned HVAC systems show less dependence on backup equipment, reducing long-term costs.
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Spartans open 2025-26 with a big road win at Oakwood. Hess leads the charge with a hat trick.
OAKWOOD -St. Joseph-Ogden’s boys soccer team wasted no time showing its firepower, striking for seven goals in a 7-3 road win over Oakwood on Thursday to begin the 2025-26 season. The Spartans flipped the script from a year ago, when the Comets handed them a 5-1 defeat in the same matchup to open the season.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Steven Newman returns to the Spartan lineup in 2025. The junior scored a goal in SJO's first game of the season, avenging last year's 5-1 loss to the Comets.
Senior forward Tyler Hess delivered a standout performance with three goals and an assist, sparking an offense that spread the scoring responsibilities across the lineup.
Four other Spartans added goals of their own. Steven Newman, Hunter Cler, Zach Harper, and Skyler Graham each found the net, while Harper and Graham also earned assists. Midfielder Lucas “Buddy” Stevens orchestrated the attack with three assists, setting up his teammates in key moments.
The win comes at the start of a grueling run, with SJO scheduled to play five matches in the first six days of the season. The Spartans visit Hoopeston Area on Friday before hosting Iroquois West on Saturday at Dick Duval Field.
SJO enters the season looking to build on last year’s strong campaign. After a slow start in 2024, the Spartans rattled off 18 wins and a tie before falling in the sectional semifinals to eventual Class 1A state champion Normal University. They finished with a 22-3-1 record, cementing themselves among the area’s top programs.
This fall’s lineup is anchored by returning seniors Quinn Stahl, Branson Pearman, and Harper, with fellow seniors Hadley Sweet, Michael McDaniel, and Rudra Chaudhory providing additional leadership and depth.
Upcoming SJO Matches
Fri, Aug. 29, 2025 – 4:30 p.m. at Hoopeston Area High School
Sat, Aug. 30, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. vs. Iroquois West High School at Dick Duval Field
TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden boys soccer 2025 season opener, Tyler Hess hat trick vs Oakwood soccer, IHSA Class 1A boys soccer sectional contenders, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans upcoming soccer schedule, Illinois high school soccer early season matchups
St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball drops first match of the season 25-13, 25-17. Emma McKinney leads with six digs. Home opener vs. Mahomet-Seymour on Sept. 2.
Maroa - The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team fell 2-0 to the Maroa-Forsyth in a non-league matchup Monday, struggling offensively in a 64-minute contest.
The Spartans, playing in Maroa, dropped the first set 25-13 and the second 25-17. St. Joseph-Ogden managed just four kills in its season opener, with contributions from Addi Childers, Ally Schmitz, Vivian Smith, and Emerson Williams.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
SJO's Ally Schmitz passes the ball to the front row during last season's home match against Casey-Westfield. Schmitz moves into a leadership role this season as one of five seniors on the Spartans' varsity roster.
Emma McKinney paced the Spartans defensively with six digs, while Emerson Williams and Hadley McDonald added five apiece. Alivia Learned contributed the team’s only ace of the match.
SJO enters the season with a young roster, featuring just five seniors. Team leaders this season include Adelyn Childers, Katie Ericksen, Emma McKinney, Ally Schmitz, and Emma Wells, supported by seven juniors and five sophomores.
Despite Monday’s setback, the Spartans are looking to improve on last year’s campaign. The 2024-25 team finished with a 16-19 overall record and just two Illini Prairie Conference wins, placing eighth in the league.
St. Joseph-Ogden will look to rebound Thursday, August 28, in a non-league contest against the Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin Blue Devils, who also opened the season 0-1 following a 2-0 loss to SJO rival Unity. The Spartans’ home court opener is set for Tuesday, September 2, against defending Class 3A state champion Mahomet-Seymour.
Maroa-Forsyth, now 1-0, prepares for its next match against Sullivan, which enters its non-league contest with a 1-0 record following a 2-0 win over Meridian.
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Chicago officials warn against federal troop deployment, highlight crime trends, and promise legal challenges to Trump's plan.
Photo: CNI/Andrew Adams
With Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson standing behind him, Gov. JB Pritzker criticizes the Trump administration’s threat to deploy military forces in Chicago alongside dozens of activists, Democratic politicians and religious leaders in downtown Chicago on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. by Ben Szalinski
Capitol News Illinois
CHICAGO - In front of gleaming skyscrapers along the Chicago River, Illinois’ Democratic leaders showed a united front Monday against President Donald Trump’s threats to deploy the military into Chicago’s streets to fight crime with one message: “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago.”
“You are neither wanted here nor needed here,” Gov. JB Pritzker said at a news conference. “Your remarks about this effort over the last several weeks have betrayed a continuing slip in your mental faculties and are not fit for the auspicious office that you occupy.”
The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has been considering for weeks deploying the military to Chicago. The report came a day after Trump suggested Chicago will be the next city he sends the military to after he activated the National Guard and other federal law enforcement personnel in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.
Thousands of troops could be deployed in Chicago as soon as September, though two officials who spoke to the Post anonymously said the deployment is considered less likely for now.
State leaders said they have not asked for help.
“When I have some slob like Pritzker criticizing us before we even go there — I made the statement that next should be Chicago because Chicago is a killing field right now and they don’t acknowledge it and they say ‘we don’t need them, freedom, freedom, freedom, he’s a dictator. He’s a dictator.’ A lot of people are saying maybe we’d like a dictator,” Trump said Monday. “I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator. I’m a man with great common sense and a smart person.”
The state’s leaders said they have not been contacted by the Trump administration asking whether the state wants policing help, and state leaders said they have not asked for help.
“If this were happening in any other country, we would have no trouble calling it what it is — a dangerous power grab,” Pritzker said.
The state's top Democrats said Trump is targeting Illinois for political reasons.
“This is an act of political theater by Donald Trump, and sadly, we have to take it extremely seriously,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “My friends, don't walk away and say this is just another political issue. This is how democracies die.”
Anticipating Chicagoans will take to the streets to protest if the military arrives, Pritzker encouraged protestors to be peaceful.
“Remember that the members of the military and the National Guard who will be asked to walk these streets are, for the most part, here unwillingly, and remember that they can be court martialed, and their lives ruined if they resist deployment,” Pritzker said.
Legal Questions
Trump’s move faces significant legal questions, and Illinois leaders promised to file lawsuits to block the mobilization of the military.
Photo: CNI/Andrew Adams
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who has led more than three dozen lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s administration, criticizes the president’s threats to deploy military forces in Chicago on Aug. 25, 2025.
The president and Congress have more powers over Washington, D.C., because of its status as a federal district and not a state, but it’s unclear what legal authority the president is considering applying to send troops to Chicago.
The National Guard is under the control of the governor, though the president has the power to federalize it to quell a rebellion or “unable with the regular forces” to enforce laws. The president can also invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy troops to serve as law enforcement.
This is exactly the type of overreach that our country's founders warned against...
Those criteria haven’t been met, Attorney General Kwame Raoul said.
Trump’s decision earlier this year to deploy the California National Guard to Los Angeles was challenged and has so far been upheld by a federal appeals court. California argued in that case that the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the military from acting as a domestic police force. The National Guard was sent to L.A. following protests over Trump’s immigration policies.
“This is exactly the type of overreach that our country's founders warned against and it's the reason that they established a federal system with a separation of powers built on checks and balances,” Pritzker said. “What President Trump is doing is unprecedented and unwarranted. It is illegal, it is unconstitutional, it is unamerican.”
Raoul noted his office has long had effective crime-fighting partnerships with federal agencies.
“I'm not and have never been opposed to collaborative help from well-trained federal law enforcement agents. Were the president serious about addressing crime or criminal threats in Chicago, he would dedicate more resources to collaborative work that we already engage in with these federal agencies,” Raoul said.
Chicago Crime Trends
Overall crime in Chicago has declined by 13% this year, according to data from the Chicago Police Department. Nearly every category of crime has decreased this year, including murders — down 31%. Chicago has seen 256 murders through Aug. 17 this year, compared to 370 over the same timeframe in 2024. Shooting incidents broadly are down 36%.
Crime in Chicago has trended downward since 2023 and is down 15% overall since then. Incidents of crime are still 40% higher at this point of 2025 than in 2021, though murder is down 50% since 2021 and shooting incidents are down 57%. Felony theft, misdemeanor theft and motor vehicle theft are all up significantly since 2021.
The city’s data portal shows crime has generally been trending down throughout the 21st century from nearly half a million crimes in 2001 to about that level in 2024. The number of annual crimes in the city has been relatively flat for about 10 years, however.
Nationally, Chicago ranked 92nd in violent crime per 100,000 people in 2024 among the nation’s 200 largest cities, according to FBI data. Memphis ranked first and Milwaukee and St. Louis were eighth and ninth, respectively, while Rockford ranked 19th. Chicago had the 22nd highest murder rate and was eighth in robbery.
“I know (Trump) doesn't read, I know he doesn't listen to very many people, but I know he watches television, and so perhaps if somebody from FOX News or from Newsmax is here, they'll cover the fact that Chicago is in much better shape as a result of the work that we are doing to prevent crime,” Pritzker said.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson acknowledged the city must do more to reduce violence and said the Trump administration should release $800 million in violence prevention funding it has withheld this year and provide more funding for housing.
Also on Monday, Trump signed an executive order seeking to block federal funding to states and cities with cashless bail policies. Illinois eliminated cash bail in 2023 and Trump claimed jurisdictions with it have higher levels of crime. Early research of the first year without cash bail in Illinois did not show an increase in crime.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
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Spartans take five of six singles matches in road victory. Veterans Rice, Farber, and Helfrich start the season with stellar performances.
DECATUR — The St. Joseph-Ogden girls tennis team opened its season with a convincing 7-2 win on the road at St. Teresa, showing balance across the lineup in both singles and doubles play.
The Spartans secured five of six singles matches to set the tone early. Lily Rice, Madison Farber, Ainsley Rhoten, Avarie Dietiker and Audrie Helfrich all collected victories, with Helfrich cruising to an 8-0 sweep at No. 6 singles.
St. Joseph-Ogden added two more wins in doubles competition. The pairing of Kenley Ray and Karleigh Spain battled to an 8-6 victory at the No. 2 position, while Sophia Schmitz and Shelby Warnes delivered an 8-3 win at No. 3 doubles.
St. Teresa earned its two points at the top of the lineup. Vinathi Marri defeated Samantha Kelso 8-4 at No. 1 singles, while Brooke Nelson and Nora Jerabek combined to take an 8-2 win over Ava Midkiff and Maddie Wells at No. 1 doubles.
With the early road test behind them, the Spartans demonstrated the depth of their roster and strong season potential.
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Unity soccer dropped its opener 7-0 at Newton and returns home Tuesday to face St. Teresa in nonconference play.
NEWTON - Unity struggled to find its footing in its season debut, falling 7-0 to Newton on the road Monday. The Rockets managed just one shot on goal in the 80-minute contest as the Eagles, last year’s Little Illini Conference champions, controlled possession throughout.
Newton broke through early with goals from Samuel Rodriguez, Lance Volk, and freshman Daniel Falcioni, who added another in the second half. Anderson converted a penalty kick, while junior Henry Will scored in each half to round out the attack.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Unity's Tyler Huntington dribbles the ball in last regional semifinal against Monticello. He is one of five seniors leading the Rockets this season.
The Eagles, who finished 10-7-1 last season and went unbeaten in league play, return a deep roster of 21 players this fall.
Unity, coming off an 8-8-3 finish in 2024 and a fourth-place showing in the Illini Prairie Conference, has a mix of veterans and underclassmen looking to grow into bigger roles. Seniors Matthew Hollett, Tyler Huntington, McCaskill, Caden, and Emma Swisher anchor the lineup. Sophomores Joel Hoewing, Ian Skibbe, Logan Wells, and Jack White join the rotation along with freshman contributors Kenny Adcock, Konnor Bletscher, Luc Popovics, Dylan Stierwalt, Javy Zavala, and Ethan Zgura. Carter Cromwell is the squad’s lone member of the Class of 2027.
The Rockets won two league matches last year, defeating Monticello and Illinois Valley Central, and will look to build consistency in nonconference play. They return to action this afternoon, hosting St. Teresa (1-0) at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Saturday home match against Argenta-Oreana.
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
Artificial Intelligence, AI, is a wonderful tool for research and information. However, I don’t want my deepest relationship to be with a chatbot, chatgpt, robot or anything related to AI.
Glenn Mollette
There is a mega billion-dollar AI movement that is connecting people with their own personal AI bot who will be their dearest and best friend. Someone who cares, who is attentive and fulfills all their conversational needs regardless of the topic. I hope our planet doesn’t become so desperate for companionship that everyone starts spending hours every day talking to “something” that doesn’t really exist but is able to hold a conversation about any topic for hours on end without stopping.
So much of our world already lives in isolation. Millions, perhaps billions of people live in seclusion with their faces continually focused on their phones or tablets. We don’t call people on the telephone or visit them in person like we used to do. Now people can socialize even less as they may find their AI bot, configured to any personality or gender they desire, more interesting than talking to real people.
I am grateful that I have Jesus, my beautiful wife, family and people associated with my work to talk with. I would surely be sad if I felt that I had to turn to something mechanical for conversation.
Japan is already in a sad situation. Over 3000 men have married virtual girlfriends since 2017. One man, reportedly married his robot girlfriend, Gatebox’s Hologram Girl, in 2018. Japan does not recognize these as legal but symbolic marriages. Between now and 2065 Japan’s population is supposed to drop from 128 million to 88 million people.
There are several reasonsfor this including an aging population, low birth rate and limited immigration. A love life that is centered on a virtual character will do nothing to help their dwindling population.
In America our choices are growing. Realbotix robots are supposedly fully interactive and mobile. Lovot is a soft warm robot for emotional connection. Aibo is Sony’s AI-powered robot dog that learns and adapts to owners. Elliq is a robot that keeps elderly users active and engaged. Vector is a small robot that responds to voice commands. Kiki is an AI powered pet robot that recognizes faces. Ami is a caregiving robot that assists with daily activities. Amazon has Astro which is a home monitoring and smart assistant robot. The list goes on. Maybe, you are more interested now in one of these or something different that is certain to come.
The AI market is expected to reach $1.81 trillion by 2030, growing at a rate of 35.9 percent.
Artificial Intelligence is here and we can make it a great tool or allow it to become a negative influence in our lives. It’s kind of like television, pizza and candy bars. A little bit is good but we can overdo it as we can with most anything.
About the author ~
Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.
Darren Bailey blasts Pritzker and Johnson after Trump threatens troops in Chicago, tying law-and-order to his bid against Rep. Mike Bost.
Photo: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos/PEXELS
Residents enjoy a peaceful evening on lake front in Chicago. Despite violence has dropped over the past five years, President Trump has threatened to send military troops to the Illinois city to help police the city. Neither the city or the state have requested Federal assistance to help with law enforcement efforts.
LOUISVILLE - Former state senator Darren Bailey blasted Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson this week after President Donald Trump threatened to send U.S. troops to Chicago to address crime. Bailey, who lost his 2022 gubernatorial race to Pritzker and is now challenging fellow Republican Rep. Mike Bost in Illinois’ 12th District, accused Democratic leaders of ignoring public safety for political gain.
“If Brandon Johnson and JB Pritzker try to block the National Guard from coming into Chicago, they should be thrown in jail. They are siding with criminals and putting politics ahead of the safety of families,” Bailey said in a statement. “Families are burying their children, businesses are shuttering, and entire neighborhoods live in fear. For Pritzker and Johnson to say there’s no emergency is disgraceful.”
Bailey has made law-and-order themes central to his campaigns, portraying Chicago as symbolic of failed Democratic leadership at both state and city levels. His comments come as Trump revived talk of federal intervention in Chicago, despite declining crime rates.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Thousands of protestors walk the streets of Chicago during the 2017 Womens March on Chicago. The demonstration brought more than 250,000 together people together on the first day of Trump's first term. Governor Pritzker and community leaders told the media troops are not wanted or needed on the streets of Chicago.
Speaking in the Oval Office after signing executive orders aimed at curbing cashless bail, Trump suggested the Pentagon was ready to act. “We can go anywhere on less than 24 hours’ notice,” Trump said. “They need help. We may wait. We may or may not, we may just go in and do it, which is probably what we should do.”
Later, Trump acknowledged he had not received a request from Illinois leaders. “I didn’t get a request from the governor,” he said. “Illinois is affected maybe more than anybody else. And I think until I get that request from that guy, I’m not going to do anything about it.”
Gov. Pritzker, joined by business and community leaders, dismissed Trump’s statements as political theater. He pointed to crime data showing marked improvements in Chicago this year. “There is no emergency in Chicago that calls for armed military intervention,” Pritzker said. “This is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city, in a blue state, to try to intimidate his political rivals.”
Pritzker defeated Bailey, earning a second term with 55% of the popular vote. The Pritzker is one of serveral contenders for the next presidential election.
City statistics show gun violence dropped 25% in the first half of 2025 compared with last year, and 41% below the average reported between 2020 and 2024. Homicides also fell below 2019 levels, before the nationwide surge that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
More stories ~
Chris Baker, of Gifford, and Nate Shubert, of Monticello, graduated from the United Association’s Instructor Training Program, completing a rigorous five-year program.
Photo provided
Local 149 Business Manager Charlie Deakin, Nathan Shubert, Christopher Baker, Local 149 Business Agent Kevin Sage, Local 149 Training Director Derek Reedy pose for a photo after the awards ceremony.
URBANA - Two longtime members of UA Local 149 have earned certification to train future generations of skilled workers after completing a rigorous five-year program.
Chris Baker, of Gifford, and Nate Shubert, of Monticello, recently graduated from the United Association’s Instructor Training Program, a nationally recognized course held in Ann Arbor, Mich.
UA Local 149 represents hundreds of plumbers, pipefitters and HVAC professionals across the region. Baker completed his certification to instruct in medical gas systems, plumbing fixtures and plumbing underground installation. Shubert earned credentials to teach rigging and industrial rigging.
The two men now join the ranks of certified instructors who are qualified to pass on specialized trade skills to apprentices entering the industry. Their recognition highlights the union’s ongoing role in workforce development and training across Illinois.
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Clinton County residents pushed back against a Proud Boys billboard, leading Lamar Advertising to remove the sign near Central High School.
Photo: Molly Parker/CNI
Nearly 70 people packed a Clinton County Board meeting Monday night to oppose a Proud Boys ad on a billboard near Central Community High School.
by Molly Parker
Capitol News Illinois
BREESE - After strong community opposition, including a county board meeting where dozens of people spoke against it, the Proud Boys billboard that was put up near a high school in Clinton County was removed Tuesday.
A representative from Lamar Advertising’s Collinsville office said the sign was taken down around noon. The company declined further comment.
Clinton County Board Chairman Brad Knolhoff said the county had no legal authority to regulate the billboard’s content, but he and many others contacted the company, expressing their outrage.
The Proud Boys have been labeled a hate or extremist group by multiple organizations and was tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
“I would say the fact that so many people were reaching out played a large factor” in the decision, he said. “I’m very pleased that the billboard is down because of the animosity it was causing and the angst in the community. It’s not healthy for the community.”
The billboard, up only a few days, was located at Old U.S. Route 50 and St. Rose Road, about 1,000 feet from the entrance to Central Community High School. It listed a local recruiting phone number, but calls went to a voicemail that was full.
Photo: Molly Parker/CNI
A Lamar Advertising representative on Monday moves an ad for the far-
right extremist group Proud Boys; the sign was taken down entirely around noon Tuesday.
The Proud Boys have been labeled a hate or extremist group by multiple organizations and was tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, though the group has been quieter in recent years. Lamar Advertising declined to say who purchased the billboard.
At Monday night’s board meeting, about 70 people attended and more than 30 spoke during public comment, a turnout far larger than usual.
Former judge and state’s attorney Dennis Middendorff reminded the crowd this was not the first time Clinton County had faced such a test. In the 1980s, he recalled, the KKK received a permit to rally at nearby Carlyle Lake.
“I didn’t want to give” the legal advice at the time, he said, but under the First Amendment, they had the right to assemble. Even so, Middendorff told the board Monday night this moment was still an opportunity: “You don’t have to take action to try and stop it. Maybe you can’t stop it, but you can condemn it, and that’s what I’m really asking you to do.”
One by one — teachers, doctors, lawyers, laborers, parents, students — went to the microphone. Most said the same thing: We don’t want it here.
I know that most of us are amazing people who actually believe in family and faith and community.
Gene Hemingway, who is Black, said the billboard only made visible what was already simmering. “I heard some years ago, they’re dropping the robes and they’re putting on suits,” he said. “I’m not scared, but I am very aware. Because I know the primary purpose is to eradicate people of my color, the LGBTQ community, anything other than white.”
Naomi Knapp, a recent graduate of Central Community High School, said she was disappointed but not surprised.
“I don’t think a lot of people in this county actually believe the things that people like the Proud Boys are saying,” she said. “But I did hear it in my high school. I did hear racial slurs. … And I can’t even imagine any person of color having to honestly live here. And that’s devastating, because I know that most of us are amazing people who actually believe in family and faith and community.”
At the conclusion of public comments, board member Greg Riechman said he appreciated the concerns raised and thanked the residents for “speaking from their hearts.” He then introduced a nonbinding resolution condemning “hatred, bigotry, divisiveness or racism of any kind,” which passed unanimously.
Though the billboard did not include much content beyond a phone number, logo and website for the Proud Boys, many objected to it being an obvious recruiting tool that was placed near the high school.
Knolhoff said he hopes the county can move forward, but added, “We will remain vigilant.”
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
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Food allergies affect millions of school-age children. About 1 in 13 U.S. children has a food allergy. Here's how parents and schools can work together to keep students safe.
Photo: Michael Moloney/Unsplash
Some children may eventually outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, or soy. Until then, parents should work with teachers and lunchroom staff to avoid their child's contact with food items that could trigger an allergic reaction.
URBANA - For millions of families, sending a child to school involves more than preparing lunches and packing backpacks. For those managing food allergies, it means navigating daily risks that can have life-threatening consequences.
A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in food as dangerous. When a child eats—or in some cases simply touches—the allergen, the body releases chemicals like histamine to fight back. This reaction can lead to a range of symptoms, from hives, itching, and stomach pain to swelling of the lips and throat or difficulty breathing. The most severe cases can cause anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish are among the most common culprits. Some children may eventually outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, or soy, but allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish usually persist into adulthood.
Parents should also provide emergency medication, such as epinephrine auto-injectors, along with a doctor-signed action plan that guides staff in the event of a reaction.
Statistically, food allergies touch nearly every classroom. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 13 children in the United States—roughly two students per classroom—live with a food allergy. Data from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology shows that prevalence is highest among preschool children, with about 9% affected, and remains around 8% for children ages 6–13. By 2021, about 4 million U.S. children had diagnosed food allergies, including nearly 8% of school-age youth. Rates vary across populations, with 7.6% of non-Hispanic Black children and 5.3% of non-Hispanic White children affected.
While prevalence is somewhat lower in Europe—1–4% by confirmed testing—self-reported rates can reach as high as 14%, reflecting how often allergies are misunderstood or misreported.
For parents, managing these risks at school means preparation and collaboration. Experts recommend starting with a formal health plan, such as a 504 Plan or Individual Health Plan, which clearly outlines how staff will prevent exposure and respond to emergencies. Meeting with teachers, school nurses, and cafeteria staff before the school year begins ensures everyone understands the child’s needs.
Parents should also provide emergency medication, such as epinephrine auto-injectors, along with a doctor-signed action plan that guides staff in the event of a reaction. At home, children can be taught essential habits: not sharing food, washing hands before meals, recognizing the signs of a reaction, and notifying an adult immediately.
Photo: Joshua Hoehne/Unsplash
Checking cafeteria menus or sending meals from home can help reduce exposure to foods that may trigger a child's allergic response.
Classroom and lunchroom planning play a role as well. Checking cafeteria menus or sending meals from home helps reduce exposure. Teachers can also support inclusion by avoiding food-based rewards, replacing them with safe alternatives that allow all students to participate.
Food allergies may be complex, but with strong communication, medical readiness, and a culture of awareness, schools and families can work together to create safe, supportive environments for every child.
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Tags: How to manage food allergies in school settings, Food allergy safety plans for students, Best practices for parents of children with food allergies, Classroom strategies for food allergy prevention, Working with schools on child food allergy management
Taking on one of personal care's least-talked-about problems
(PRNewswire) Chicago -- There are products for sweaty armpits, sweaty feet and sweaty faces. But when sweat shows up somewhere a little less comfortable to talk about, the options get limited fast.
Chicago-based Cheek Sheets is looking to change that.
Cheek Sheets today announced the launch of its namesake absorbent sheets, an ultra-thin, dry and discreet personal-care product designed to help absorb sweat and manage unwanted moisture between the cheeks before it becomes uncomfortable, embarrassing or funky.
Discover the headlines published on each of these days from our news and sports coverage from Champaign‑Urbana and the wider community. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
URBANA - The Sentinel kicks off its new weekly feature, the Friday Night Forecast, inviting Big Twelve football fans to test their prediction skills throughout the regular season. In our opening poll for Week 1, just two entries were submitted, but early results showed strong consensus. Fans were unanimous on the winners in four of the seven conference matchups, including tonight’s opener with Champaign Central hosting Springfield.
Below are the picks from the Sentinel’s inaugural Friday Night Forecast.
