(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois’ economy is slowing down, that’s according to the Institute of Government & Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, which measures the economy with the Flash Index, a formula that combines inflation-adjusted rates of corporate earnings, consumer spending, and personal income as an economic measure. Numbers out this week show the Flash Index dropped in July for the fourth straight month in Illinois.
(MACOMB) The campuses of Western Illinois University in both Macomb and the Quad Cities were closed yesterday due to a standoff after a shooting sent to police officers to an area hospital in Macomb. It all started when the officers tried serving a warrant Wednesday evening and they were both shot and now recovering while in critical, but stable condition. Thursday’s athletic & team practices were postponed along with other events at each WIU campus until after the standoff ended by mid-afternoon yesterday in Macomb.
(SPRINGFIELD) The largest steam locomotive ever built is passing through Illinois. Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” was built in 1941 and then retired after traveling more than 1 million miles over a 20 year period. The locomotive will make a brief stop in Sterling today, then will be on display for the public for several hours Sunday in Rochelle. Other stops include Watseka, Villa Grove, and Nokomis before the train goes throught St. Louis and onto Texas.