Afternoon News Update: Monday November 3
- A Rockford man is lucky to be alive after being shot in the head. The shooting took place late this morning at a salvage yard in the 2900 block of 8th street. Two suspects approached the victim and his girlfriend, demanding money. A gun went off during a struggle, hitting the victim in the right side of the head. The suspects are two Hispanic males at six feet tall, between 180 to 200 pounds and are believed to have stolen cash from the victim. Anyone with information is urged to call the Rockford Police Department.
- Republicans are aiming to focus their efforts on a normally democratic Illinois tomorrow. The party is aiming to retake several congressional seats it lost to Democrats in 2012 and hold off challenges to the two statewide constitutional offices it currently controls. Bruce Rauner's main focus for his race is to shake-up Springfield and fix the pension crisis which he says is crippling the State.
- The candidates for Illinois governor are traveling the state today, with each making stops in Rockford. This comes in a final push for votes before Election Day. Governor Pat Quinn visted Rockford this morning and is now traveling to Marion, Peoria and Springfield before an evening rally in Chicago. Bruce Rauner is visiting Bloomington, Springfield, Moline, will make a stop at a rally at Rockford's airport, before ending the day in Lincolnshire. Both men started the day in Chicago. The polls open tomorrow at 6am.
- The administrator for the central Illinois city of Washington is set to provide a retrospective before the one-year anniversary of deadly tornadoes that struck the town. Tin Gleason is slated to speak at Western Illinois University on Thursday. Three people were killed and more than 1,000 homes were damaged when the tornadoes hit on November 17, 2013.
- A Rockford man has reached a plea deal with prosecutors to shave off some prison time. 25-year-old Dawon Keenan, pled guilty to aggravated driving under the influence. As part of the deal, Keenan will spend eight years in prison instead of 14. On Dec. 15 of last year Keenan was driving on Ridge Avenue when his car veered off road and hit a tree and fence, killing a woman in his car.
- A man has died after being struck by a combine vehicle in Ogle County. Authorities say 65-year-old David Olzeski was walking near the 10000 block of W. Lightsville Road and was dressed in camouflage. Olzeski was airlifted to a local hospital, where he died hours later. The driver of the combine is not facing any charges related Olzeski's death.
- A man remains in the hospital after being struck by a car on State Street. Rockford police say a 29 year-old man was trying to cross East State, when a vehicle struck him. The driver of the car called 911 and waited at the scene until help arrived. The victim was taken by ambulance to a local hospital; he is currently listed in critical condition. The police have not arrested the driver, and no names have been released.
- Twenty-seven Beloit teens were given citations after police busted an underage drinking party. Police responded to the 800 block of 8th street after receiving several noise complaints from neighbors Friday night. Officers talked with 40 people at the party, and after checking their ID's found that most of them were underage. They received drinking citations, and were released to their parents.
- Many Stateline voters took advantage of early voting yesterday, but this convenience might delay results for tomorrow’s election. The Winnebago County Clerk’s office. The office cannot start processing any ballots until after 7pm Tuesday and they believe this will affect the time when results will be tabulated. Officials say they won’t be done until well after midnight.
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