On August 24, 2018 at approximately 8:35 p.m., Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of North Main Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Chad A. Kramer, age 46, of West Frankfort for unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

Kramer was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 24, 2018 at approximately 11:45 p,m,. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of South Main and East Webster Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Marilyn S. Crabtree, age 55, of Centralia for driving while license suspended.

Crabtree was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 25, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to Franklin Hospital, located at 201 Bailey Lane in reference to a battery complaint.

Upon investigating, police arrested Frank L. Humphrey Jr., age 38, of West City for aggravated battery.

Humphrey was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 25, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the area of West Main Street in reference to a reckless driver.

Upon investigating, police arrested Ryan T. Minier, age 41, of Thompsonville for driving under the influence.

Minier was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 26^th ,2018 Benton Police arrested Joey A. Cesar, age 38, of Benton for theft and resisting a peace officer.

Cesar was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

CHICAGO — Illinois’ attorney general is planning to meet with Chicago Archdiocese officials to discuss seven priests with links to the state who were included in a scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy sex abuse.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

MARION — Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti met with Centerstone CEO John Markley Friday afternoon in Marion to discuss plans for a new treatment facility that will expand services to Southern Illinoisans with opioid use disorder. Sanguinetti is co-chair of the governor’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

CARBONDALE — Earlier this month, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed two bills aimed at improving Illinois’ higher education system.

Here’s a link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

 

DU QUOIN — Gov. Bruce Rauner cut the ceremonial ribbon at the Du Quoin State Fair today, kicking off the eleven-day celebration of Southern Illinois agriculture and the Illinois Bicentennial.

Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Raymond Poe, State Fair Manager Luke Sailer, Assistant Manager Tibretta Reiman, and the twilight parade grand marshals joined in the launching of the 2018 fair, which runs through September 3.

“The Du Quoin State Fair features the best aspects of Southern Illinois, particularly its agriculture and farm families,” Rauner said. “Southern Illinoisans have played a major role in the history of Illinois, and the fair will highlight their contributions to Illinois agriculture and the state’s economic and cultural life.”

“The state’s farm families are a top priority for me and the rest of the governor’s administration,” said Sanguinetti, who serves as the Chair of the Governor’s Council on Rural Affairs. “I am happy to be back in Southern Illinois for the fair to celebrate agriculture’s importance to the state of Illinois.”

Twilight parade grand marshals Gerald and Betty Brown are the first family to be designated as a Bicentennial Farm by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The family has farmed in Illinois since 1816, and Gerald Brown is the fifth generation of the Brown family to own the same piece of land in Union County.

“We are extremely proud of the generations of Southern Illinoisans like the Browns who have made the Du Quoin State Fair possible year after year,” Poe said. “We’re excited to honor farm families’ commitment to agriculture and the future of Illinois.”

“As a native of Southern Illinois, coming to the Du Quoin State Fair was a family tradition,” Sailer said. “We’re excited to welcome another generation of families to celebrate with us at the 2018 Du Quoin State Fair as we honor everything that’s born, built and grown here in Southern Illinois.”

“I am proud to be the Representative for the city of Du Quoin and the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds,” 115th district State Representative Terri Bryant said. “The Department of Agriculture is always innovating and making the fair new again. This year the grandstand lineup features great entertainment, the parade has been moved inside the fairgrounds for a new twist, and I’m greatly looking forward to taking my grandchildren for a ride on the double ferris wheel. I want to wish everyone a great 10 days at the Du Quoin State Fair!”

“We’re only days away from the state’s Bicentennial, and it’s only fitting that we celebrate this significant event in Illinois’ history as part of the festivities at the Du Quoin State Fair,” said state Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo). “Generations of local residents have fond memories that they have made at the Du Quoin State Fair over the years. Over the next week, I look forward to continuing the long tradition of honoring Illinois agriculture and the contributions our farm families make to our region and our state.”

The Du Quoin State Fair is Southern Illinois’ most popular attraction and has featured many of the nation’s most prominent entertainers since its founding in 1923. New this year is a free admission night on August 24 and the return of the lumberjack show, which features demonstrations and audience participation. Fair events include two days of harness racing, live music, livestock competitions, and more. More information about the state fair can be found here.

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner led the Illinois Bicentennial Route 66 motorcycle ride, which made stops in Wilmington, Pontiac, Lexington and Lincoln en route from Shorewood to Springfield — all in celebration of the day 200 years ago when Illinois adopted its state Constitution in Kaskaskia. Later in the day, Rauner dedicated the new Illinois REALTORS Bicentennial Plaza, which is adjacent to the Governor’s Mansion.

“Two hundred years ago on this date, the first Illinois Constitution was adopted, and today we commemorated that legacy with the ride, a barbecue at the Governor’s Mansion and the dedication of the Bicentennial Plaza in downtown Springfield,” Rauner said. “The ride was a great way to appreciate the living history of Illinois along Route 66, and the plaza will serve as an amenity that the public can enjoy for generations to come.”

More than 500 participants started the day at a kick-off rally at Conrad’s Harley-Davidson in Shorewood and continued along the route before concluding in Springfield for a barbecue at the Governor’s Mansion. Stops included a visit to the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, a Route 66 motorcycle license plate presentation at the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, a lunch stop at Kelly’s on 66 in Lexington and a water stop at The Mill Museum in Lincoln.

Following the barbecue, Rauner joined First Lady Diana Rauner, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, Illinois REALTORS President Matt Difanis, Eli’s Cheesecake CEO Marc Schulman, and the University of Illinois Marching Band to dedicate the Bicentennial Plaza. The ceremony featured a flyover by the Illinois National Guard.

“Illinois REALTORS® is proud to work with state and local officials to celebrate the state’s bicentennial,” said Matt Difanis, the association’s president. “Bicentennial Plaza, a REALTOR® Community partnership is a wonderful birthday gift, and we’re excited at how it will complement the historic district which includes the Governor’s Mansion.”

“It’s been a special day of celebrating Illinois’ rich history, her dynamic present and — with everyone’s continued commitment — an exciting next 200 years,” Rauner said. “We continue to work hard to create a solid path for our state’s next chapter.”

 

ABOUT ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL 

On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union. The Illinois Bicentennial is a yearlong celebration of what has been BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the state and a reminder of why we are #IllinoisProud. Citizens are encouraged to participate in the celebration by visiting www.illinois200.com and using the hashtag #IllinoisProud. Partners and event and project managers planning activities between Dec. 3, 2017, and Dec. 3, 2018, can apply for endorsement to become an official part of Illinois Bicentennial by visiting the PARTICIPATE page at www.illinois200.com.