Western Illinois Today

Aledo Ready For Rhubarb Fest

Rhubarb Fest week is here, and the city is ready for the onslaught of visitors and added traffic says Mayor Chris Hagloch. A complete schedule available and more festival info at aledorhubarbfest.com.

Tax Payment Dates Announced For Mercer County

2022 payable 2023 real estate installment dates have been set in Mercer County. The first payment is due June 23 with the second and final payment set for September 8. Payments can be mailed to Mercer County Collector’s Office, 100…

Mercer Unemployment Rate Above Statewide Average

The Mercer County unemployment rate at 4.1 percent. The number is for April and represents a three-point increase from a year ago, according to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Year-over-year unemployment numbers are steady in the nearby…

Dollar Tree Store Coming To Aledo

A new retail store coming to Aledo. The city council’s TIF Committee learned Thursday night that Dollar Tree will have a location just west of Midwest Bank says Mayor Chris Hagloch. The item will be on the June 5 Aledo…

Dry Stretch To Continue For WRMJ Listening Area

No sign of rain in the forecast anytime in the near future for the WRMJ listening area. Meteorologist Timothy Gunkel is with the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities. He spoke with WRMJ early this morning.

Tax Credit Update For Northside Lofts Project

An update on the Northside Lofts project at the former Aledo Jr. High property. The $15.2 million redevelopment has been approved for Illinois Historic Tax Credits and is awaiting word on tax credits from the Illinois Housing Development authority says…

Swanson FFA Legislation Passed By Lawmakers

A local state lawmaker’s FFA legislation is winning approval in the Illinois General Assembly. The measure is sponsored by State Rep. Dan Swanson. Swanson was in the Alwood FFA Chapter while in school and just last year he was presented…

Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation Awards 13 Scholarships

Thirteen scholarships have been awarded by the Mercer County Farm Bureau Foundation. In addition to student scholarships, Mercer County Farm Bureau manager Jenna Preston says the foundation supports programs such as Agriculture in the Classroom and teacher training. The scholarship…

Bush Named Rockridge Superintendent

New Boston Elementary School Principal Marcus Bush to be employed as new Superintendent of the Rockridge School District. The hiring is on the agenda at a special Unit 300 Board of Education meeting Thursday night. His new job would start…

Area Memorial Day Observances

The Aledo Memorial Day observance is set for Monday. Aledo American Legion’s Jay Doherty with the details. Also this Memorial Day weekend, an observance will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the Peniel Cemetery and Monday at 1:30 p.m.…