CHICAGO — Gov. Bruce Rauner and First Lady Diana Rauner got their flu shots today and highlighted the importance of Illinoisans protecting themselves this flu season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend shots for everyone over the age of six months. Influenza activity often increases in October and tends to peak between December and February. Last year’s flu season was one of the more severe seasons in recent years. It is estimated that flu vaccination prevents millions of flu illnesses and tens of thousands of hospitalizations.

“Diana and I encourage Illinoisans to safeguard their health by getting a flu shot,” Gov. Rauner said. “It’s the best protection against the influenza and it especially helps protect those most vulnerable to sickness like the elderly and young children.”

A 9-year-old girl and her twin 6-year-old brothers were struck and killed by a pickup truck as they crossed a northern Indiana road to board a school bus before sunrise Tuesday, police said. A fourth child was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Two bodies found in a river in central Illinois were identified as those of a Bradley professor and her husband, authorities announced Tuesday night.

Here’s a link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.