Interstate 55 badly damaged during severe storms

Posted on June 26, 2021
In a Facebook post, Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Fire Protection District says I-55 near McLean is closed indefinitely until the road is repaired and the bridges are inspected. (Facebook/Mt. Hope-Funks Grove FPD)

By Neil Doyle

MCLEAN – Roads across McLean County were flooded Friday night due to severe weather and Interstate 55 was badly damaged during the heavy storms.

In a Facebook post, Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Fire Protection District says I-55 near McLean is closed indefinitely until the road is repaired and the bridges are inspected. The Illinois Department of Transportation says there are not enough signs to give notice of flooded and damaged roadways. They advise people to not drive through flooded streets.

Authorities say around 10 fire/EMS/police agencies were on scene last night with four people trapped in the water. All four were recovered and were able to walk to the ambulances. All patients were transported to the hospital.

If there is storm damage in your area, you can send pictures and updates to [email protected].

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…