Illinois quick hits: Multiple departments battle Lincoln fire
Multiple departments battle Lincoln fire
Several fire departments battled a blaze Thursday in downtown Lincoln.
Fire units from McLean, Macon, Sangamon and Menard counties, along with every fire department in Logan County, responded to the blaze.
The fire occurred just down the street from the Logan County Courthouse and was located near the Amtrak station.
IDNR accepts bids for ag lease contracts
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will accept sealed bids this fall for about 30 agricultural lease contracts for crop years 2025-2029.
The agency utilizes agricultural leases as a tool to support wildlife populations and recreational opportunities at sites owned or managed by the agency. The leases developed under the program will promote ecologically sound agricultural practices to improve soil health, minimize soil erosion, and improve water quality.
‘Big Boy’ steam engine passes through Illinois
The largest steam locomotive ever built will be passing through Illinois for the next several days.
Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” was built in 1941 and retired in 1961 after traveling more than 1 million miles in 20 years. The locomotive will make a brief stop in Sterling Friday, 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 through St. Louis and onto Texas.
