Illinois quick hits: Son of ‘El Chapo’ guilty; still above $3 a gallon
December 2, 2025/
Son of ‘El Chapo’ guilty
A notorious gang leader’s son has been convicted on federal drug charges.
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to drug conspiracy and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.
“El Chapo’s” son has been detained in U.S. custody since his arrest in July 2024.
Still above $3 a gallon
According to AAA, 31 states now have gas prices under $3 a gallon, but Illinois is not one of them.
Going from lowest to highest, Illinois ranked 41st out of 50 states with an average of $3.147 per gallon on Dec. 1.
No other Midwestern state was over $3.
Illinois has the second-highest gas tax in the nation after California.
Skating rink opening
A skating rink will open near the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield Wednesday.
The rink in Union Square Park uses an artificial surface to give an experience similar to ice skating, with visitors able to use their own skates or borrow them at the facility.
Historic re-enactors will be available at the grand opening at 4:30 Wednesday evening.
Monee Events
10 Dec
Latest News Stories
Peotone School Board Rejects Mandating Live-Streaming in 4-3 Vote
Article Summary: The Peotone school board has opted against requiring its meetings to be live-streamed, finalizing a new committee policy after a 4-3 vote defeated the mandate. The decision followed...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education for August 18, 2025
The Peotone Board of Education’s August 18 meeting was defined by the district’s precarious financial situation. With a projected $4.2 million operating deficit and its borrowing capacity nearly exhausted, the...
Executive Committee Details Spending of $134 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds
Article Summary: Will County has expended 61% of its $134 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with significant investments made in infrastructure, health, and economic development. Officials...
Facing Budget Crisis, Peotone Committee Questions Athletic Field Project
Committee of the Whole Article Summary: With Peotone School District 207-U on the verge of a financial crisis, board members are questioning the wisdom of moving forward with a long-awaited...
Committee Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education Committee of the Whole
The Peotone School District 207-U is on a collision course with a major financial crisis, which dominated the Board of Education’s committee meeting on August 18. Facing a projected $4.2...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Crete-Monee School Board for August 12, 2025
The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education confronted a challenging financial forecast and held a robust debate on arming a district security director during its August 12 meeting. The...
Peotone Library Director’s Salary Set at $75,000 After Annual Evaluation
Article Summary: The Peotone Public Library District Board of Trustees has set Library Director Sarah Ehlers' salary at $75,000 for the upcoming year. The decision was made in a special...
Peotone Library Director’s Salary Set at $75,000 After Annual Evaluation
Article Summary: The Peotone Public Library District Board of Trustees has set Library Director Sarah Ehlers' salary at $75,000 for the upcoming year. The decision was made in a special...
Village Hall to Get $412,000 Fire Sprinkler Replacement After System Failure
Village of Monee Board Meeting | August 13, 2025 Article Summary: Following the failure of the original 1997 fire sprinkler system due to corrosion, the Monee Village Board approved a...
Crete-Monee Board Adopts School Improvement Plans for 2025-2026
Article Summary: The Crete-Monee Board of Education has approved the 2025-2026 School Improvement Plans (SIPs) for all eight schools in the district. The plans, which are a federal requirement for...
Executive Committee Considers $12,000 Strategic Planning Initiative with University of St. Francis
Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee is considering a proposal from the University of St. Francis to lead a six-month, $12,178 strategic planning process. The initiative is aimed at...
Board Approves Over $4.4 Million for Major Construction Projects
Article Summary: The Crete-Monee School Board authorized payments totaling over $4.4 million for significant construction and renovation work at Crete-Monee High School and Crete Elementary School. The payments cover ongoing...
Executive Committee Members Decry Roadside Litter, Call for Action Against Garbage Haulers
Article Summary: Will County Executive Committee members expressed frustration over what they described as a worsening problem of litter blowing from garbage trucks across the county. Members called for better...
District Presses Village of Monee on TIF Expiration, Moves to Sell School Property
Article Summary: Crete-Monee officials are urging the Village of Monee to finalize the expiration of a key tax increment financing (TIF) district before a November deadline to ensure the school...
Will County Updates Solid Waste Ordinance, Increases Fines and Reporting to Landfill Committee
Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced an updated solid waste ordinance that doubles the maximum fine for violations and requires the county auditor's annual report to...