One person was taken to the hospital and two police squad cars are out of commission after a brief police chase over the mid-day today.

According to preliminary details by Jacksonville Police Chief Adam Mefford, West Central Joint Dispatchers began receiving calls of a reckless driver from complainants in the area of both East College and East State Streets around noon Thursday. One caller indicated to dispatchers that the vehicle had been in a minor accident.

Responding Jacksonville Police Officers went to the area and located a blue SUV that fit the description. Chief Mefford says officers then witnessed the vehicle run over a stop sign and drive through the boulevard. Officers attempted a traffic stop and Mefford says the vehicle stopped and the lone male occupant got out of the vehicle and yelled something unintelligible toward the officer before getting back into the vehicle and taking off. The suspect then fled the scene recklessly at high rates of speed running off the road several more times.

Mefford says Jacksonville Police began a short pursuit for approximately two blocks. The vehicle turned onto South Main Street where it struck a South Jacksonville Patrol car and then turned back onto East Michigan Avenue where it struck another South Jacksonville squad car. All three vehicles were disabled in the incident.

Mefford says officers then ordered the suspect to get out of the SUV. He eventually opened the door but was reaching back into the vehicle for something under the seat and continued to refuse to listen to officer commands.

Mefford says the officers on scene believed the suspect was reaching for a weapon and fired less lethal munitions consisting of both a taser and beanbags to stop the suspect and subdue him.

45-year-old Jeff Smith of Canton, Illinois was eventually taken into custody by police. Upon further investigation, police found a weapon inside the vehicle. Mefford did not disclose what type of weapon it was but confirmed that it was not a firearm.

Smith was taken by ambulance to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital for undisclosed injuries and the South Jacksonville officer later went by private vehicle to the hospital. The officer went out of caution due the the severity of the crash and the airbags deploying.

Mefford says preliminary charges are expected to be filed by the Jacksonville Police Department against Smith for reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and resisting a police officer.

Charges are pending by both the Illinois State Police and the South Jacksonville Police Department. The Illinois State Police were later called in to handle the traffic crash investigation.

Mefford says the criminal investigation is still in the early stages as officers were combing the area of the chase for more possible damage late into the day Thursday.

More information is expected to be released by the South Jacksonville Police Department and Illinois State Police at a later time.

UPDATE 10/27 AT 2pm: Smith is currently being held at the Morgan County Jail. He was initially cited for two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, three counts of aggravated fleeing or eluding police, two counts of resisting a peace officer, reckless driving, avoiding a traffic control device, improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision, leaving the scene/failure to report a traffic crash with property damage, and two counts of criminal damage to state-supported property.

Smith was formally charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer (Class 2 Felony) and aggravated battery via use of a deadly weapon (Class 3 Felony) this afternoon by the Morgan County State’s Attorney’s Office.

According to a preliminary report from the Illinois State Police this afternoon, Smith’s SUV was northbound on South Main Street, approaching East Michigan Avenue while being pursued by three Jacksonville Police Department squad cars. A South Jacksonville Police squad car was approaching northbound on South Main Street at Michigan Avenue, when it pulled into the path of Smith’s SUV with its emergency lights activated in an attempt to end the pursuit. Smith’s SUV was said to have been at a far enough distance away to brake and avoid a collision. However, shortly before reaching the South Jacksonville squad car, Smith’s SUV swerved and side-swiped the squad car. Smith’s SUV then crossed opposite lanes of traffic, driving through the Dairy Queen parking lot at the intersection of Main & Michigan, to continue eastbound on East Michigan Avenue. Smith’s SUV then directly collided head on with another South Jacksonville Police squad car, terminating the pursuit.

Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties are requesting information to assist the Jacksonville Police Department in their investigation into a recent hit-and-run incident.

According to Jacksonville Police, shortly after midnight on Sunday, October 15^th, A black Chevrolet pickup truck struck a power pole at the intersection of South Diamond Street and West Morton Avenue and then fled the scene.

The power pole was snapped during the strike which caused the lines to fall into the roadway.

Police are asking that anyone who has information concerning this incident or any other crimes within the three-county area submit an anonymous tip by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 217-243-7300, or texting the tip to the word CRIMES (274637). The first word of the text tip must be “payout”

Crime Stoppers says if your tip leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward.

The City of Jacksonville and the Village of South Jacksonville are once again offering free leaf pickup during the month of November.

The Jacksonville Streets Department announced this week that crews will be picking up bagged leaves throughout the month of November.

The bags can be paper or plastic and must be out on the curb by 8:00 a.m. each day. Officials say crews will be making multiple trips through the city.

The Village of South Jacksonville will be picking up leaves in November every Tuesday starting on November 7^th. Possible pick-up in December will be determined later based on weather and need.

All leaves in the Village should be in paper or plastic bags and placed on the curb by 7:00 a.m. each Tuesday.

The rate for supporting the Morgan County Animal Shelter has gone up.

The Jacksonville City City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve a new agreement with Morgan County that increases funding for the animal control program.

Morgan County Commissioner Chair Ginny Fanning says every city, village, and county are assessed a population-based fee to help cover the cost of the animal shelter.

The new agreement with the city raises that fee from $2.50 to $3.00 per person. Fanning says the increase just came down to expenses continuing to go up and the county needing to keep the animal control program solvent.

“It’s been several years since we had raised it and as we all know costs have gone up. Dog food, fuel, salaries, etc. So the maintenance of it has just been more than what this assessment per person was able to cover. So we felt we needed to add more to that revenue stream.”

Passage of the new agreement by the council didn’t come without some continuing discussion, however. The resolution was pulled from the council’s consent agenda during the October 9^th meeting after Alderman Kent Hannant expressed concerns the fee sounded like a double tax.

Mayor Andy Ezard says after more information was gathered on the program, the resolution was passed unanimously at this week’s meeting. “Yes, I believe they wanted some more information which City Clerk [Skip] Bradshaw gave to them from the county. I would anticipate a few aldermen reached out to the commissioners for further information. I feel that must have taken place and they felt fine about it, so they went and voted yes.”

Fanning says the Animal Control Program is a separate budgeted entity from other services and although the county receives revenue from adoption fees as well as for spaying and neutering services, however, the fees are not enough to cover the day-to-day Animal Control costs.

The Jacksonville Fire Department’s “last tailboard rider” is officially calling it a career.

The fire department and the City of Jacksonville announced this morning that longtime Fire Chief Doug Sills has announced he will be retiring in November after 34 years with the department.

Mayor Andy Ezard says Chief Sills has had quite the career with not only the Jacksonville Fire Department but also his work in the region and statewide.

Ezard says he is glad Doug is getting the chance to retire, and the next Fire Chief will have some big shoes to fill. “You know Chief Sills, he is a FIREMAN. He’s somewhat old school, he takes it very seriously. I believe he’s really done a good job of advancing the department to where he feels It needs to be, and I’ve been on board with him all the way.

You know, it’s the old cliche of big shoes to fill but that holds true in this case. We’ve got some good qualified folks who are interested in filling his shoes, but we’re certainly going to miss Doug Sills. He’s made an impression on, not only on me but on where the fire department should be and what it could become. He’s done a heck of a job the nine years [as chief] working with him closely, so I wish the very very best for him and Sherry.”

Chief Sills says, looking back over the last 34 years, and especially nine as Chief, he feels it’s been a wild ride. “Looking back on it, I think we completely overhauled the department, not only in the way we operate and respond but the requirements and the training, the level and the skills the guys deliver to the community I think speaks a lot for itself.

You know, the Jacksonville community, the City Council, and the Mayor have been supportive of our ever-revolving mission throughout the last several years. We’re now better built, better equipped, better trained. The equipment that we have now is specific to Jacksonville as far as the apparatus are concerned, along with modern upgrades and technology.”

Sills says he never thought he would see computers on fire trucks, but now the department has the ability for firefighters to pull up beneficial information right at the scene. As for his pending retirement, Chief Sills says he and his wife have discussed it over the last few years, and now seems like the right time for a change for both he and the department.

“This last year, not that it’s been any different than the other years, but it just got to a point that I felt to keep the department moving forward that it needed a change in leadership. So it was basically my decision was based on what was best for this department moving forward. New Blood, new direction, new thoughts, just to keep things rolling and not become stagnant, and be able to deliver the best service possible.”

Mayor Ezard says the search for a new Fire Chief has already begun, and he feels the right move is to look from within the department. “Actually I’m conducting internal interviews of our three Captains, and they’re good candidates. They are different styles, each one of them, and they will even tell you the same.

But again, they have been with the department a number of years and have different skill sets that I think will carry on what I think Chief Sills wants the fire department to look like in the future.”

Chief Doug Sills lives in Jacksonville with his wife Sherry and together they have three children. Sills’ last day on the job will be Saturday, November 11^th.

Jacksonville’s newest grocery store is now officially open for business. The Jacksonville Hy-Vee is holding its grand opening today, capped off with a ribbon cutting that was held this morning.

The 50,000-square-foot store reopened to customers after a two-week shutdown and complete renovation. The Iowa-based company purchased the County Market at the end of September.

Store Director for both the Jacksonville and Springfield locations, Jim Blizzard says it is great to get customers back in the building. “It’s great to bring new services, new departments to the great city of Jacksonville, and to see the customer reaction when they came in at seven o’clock this morning. We were able to greet a big crowd this morning and it was pretty exciting to see and to have the life back in the building. After a couple weeks of it being a little bit quiet, to have all the customers back has been awesome.”

Blizzard says customers have been taken aback by the changes visible in the store so far. He says a herculean effort was put forth by the crews to renovate the store in just two weeks. “It’s incredible what a team can do. It’s about a group all going in one direction, all working in the same direction, and when you have two hundred sets of hands all moving in the same direction, you can get a lot done in a hurry.”

Tyler Power, Director of Government Relations for Hy-Vee corporate says they appreciate the new partnership with the city and community and look forward to serving the community both in and outside the store.

“It’s going to be a lot of community service, we’re going to offer great items and customer service is what we hang our hat on. Customer service is the start and end of the customer experience and we’re going to be super excited to be offering it here as we open the store.”

Power says the emphasis on customer service is rooted in the fact that the company is employee-owned. “It’s pride of ownership, you’re not working for anybody but for yourself and for your other team members. We’re ninety thousand strong throughout our company and we all have the same goal in serving the customer and providing the best service we can in the community.”

According to the official announcement this morning, the new store features a full selection of grocery items, a Market Grille Express with grab-and-go meal selections, a bakery section with specialty breads, a full-service meat counter, Mealtime offerings, as well as a HealthMarket featuring vitamins and sports nutrition options. An expanded produce area and floral department remain in the changeover.

Officials say additional grocery services such as Hy-Vee Aisle Online grocery pickup service is also available.

Some ongoing confusion on where to place your trash can in the City of Jacksonville was alleviated during last night’s City Council meeting.

Ward 2 Alderwoman Lori Large Oldenettel addressed the problem of GFL trash cans that are placed in the street are causing some streets to become more of a one-lane road that disrupts traffic flow.

Earlier this summer, GFL announced that by September 1^st, the company would be switching to trucks fitted with automatic trash container pickup, in which a mechanical arm reaches out from the side of the truck and dumps the can in one motion.

The instructions included in the announcement however led to many residents placing their containers in the street due to wording that said the wheels should face the curb.

Jacksonville City Clerk Skip Bradshaw worked to clear the air on where the containers should be replaced. “I think the question was, what are we going to do with the trash containers in the streets, and after talking to Mr. Reeves at GFL, the unit that picks up these [containers] can pick them up six feet from the street. So no trash containers should be in the street. If you don’t have a curb or anything like that, put it at the end of your driveway.”

According to the GFL website, The wheels and handles should be facing your home with the lid opening to the street. Bradshaw says concerns have also been raised about how the city will plow the streets this winter if the area sees significant snowfall, as well as causing issues for the street sweeper.

He says residents need to place their containers in the boulevard with the handle and wheels facing in toward the home to ensure trash can be safely picked up while leaving the full street for passing traffic. Containers should also be three to four feet away from other containers, trees, or utility poles so the mechanical arm can completely grab the container.

A pair of Routt Catholic High School Seniors are in the top 10% of Illinois students.

Walter Copper and Amanda Laumakis have been named Illinois State Scholars.

Routt Principal Dan Carie says the school administration is very proud of what Amanda and Walt have accomplished in their four years at Routt and they represent the sort of academic excellence, service to others, and humble nature everyone at Routt strives to embody.

Amanda is the daughter of John and Juliana Laumakis of Jacksonville. Walter is the son of Steve and Bre Linstromberg Copper of Jacksonville.

The public will have the opportunity to see inside a Jacksonville renovation project that has been over two years in the making. Jacksonville School District 117 has announced the long-awaited open house for the newly renovated Washington Elementary School will be next Wednesday.

Superintendent Steve Ptacek says there will be a brief presentation before the building is opened for touring. “We’re going to open the doors at 5:30 pm. We’ll ask everyone to first go into the new gym, we have the bleachers there, and we will have a very very short presentation that will update everyone on the status of the remainder of the project, and overview the entire project, I mean very briefly. Then after that, we will open up the rest of the building until 7:00 pm so people can come and see and tour the beautiful new facility.”

Installers began putting in the bleachers today and a short punch list of items may still be in the process of being worked through around the open house, such as a few scratched doors and paintwork. Ptacek says the biggest item to tackle now is a second-floor air handler that is making a lot of noise.

He says part of the presentation will focus on the effort put into the project to update Washington to a modern learning facility, without losing the original Art Deco charm. “One of the points we really want to highlight to people is we really went out of our way to make it look similar to the 1932 building on the exterior, and throughout the building, I want to highlight some of the places where we have kept the architecture throughout the building. I think it would be good for people to get a little information on those types of things before they just wander through the building.”

Work began in earnest in March of last year during spring break. The project faced numerous setbacks during the course of the work from supply chain issues and labor shortages, to crews running into foundation sections from the first Washington Elementary School which was built in 1851 and burned to the ground sometime in the early 1900s.

Ptacek says although there were some bumps along the way, the work was well worth the effort, even if it was a long journey at times. “I’m glad it’s done. (chuckles) And I can honestly say even with all the struggles and with all the hardship, seeing the building right now is absolutely worth it.

The people that I know, and of course the staff, but the students who’ve seen it and other community members who have seen it on the inside, they are just raving about it. It made all the tough work over the last two and a half years well worth it. This definitely was the most challenging project of all the projects we’ve done so far.”

The Washington Elementary School public open house is Next Wednesday, November 1^st from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Members of the Jacksonville and Illinois College community gathered yesterday to rededicate a more modern fixture of the nearly 200-year-old institution.

A ribbon cutting was held for the new Crispin Hall on Thursday afternoon. The ceremony officially signaled the completion of a multi-year project to bring the 1963-era educational building into the modern age.

President of Illinois College, Dr. Barbara Farley says it was a great day for I.C. “We completely renovated it starting in 2019in two phases, and today we got to celebrate just the remarkable accomplishment for Illinois College and the Jacksonville community.”

The more than $12 million renovation saw the building stripped down to the basic concrete pours and piers then rebuilt into a state-of-the-art educational center.

During the first phase that started in 2019, the Crispin Hall Auditorium was transformed into a state-of-the-art flexible active learning space now known as the Del and Lisa Dunham Auditorium. The Dunhams were a driving force in seeing the renovation become a reality.

Construction on the second and much larger second phase began on June 1^st, 2022. The whole of the project is part of I.C.’s Inspiring Achievement Initiative aimed at bringing the historic college into the future of higher education.

Farley says the now high-tech Crispin Hall will enable I.C. to better prepare students for graduating in the 21^st century. “It means we are going to be able to expand academic programs that our region needs and our students want to pursue at Illinois College.

So that’s terrific, and it also expands our state-of-the-art instructional technology for our faculty and staff, and that’s what we need to do in preparing our graduates for the future.”

Crispin Hall will now offer expanded lab and classroom spaces for computer science, mathematics, physics, and psychology. School officials say 73% of Illinois College students attend at least one class in Crispin during their academic career on the hilltop.