Illinois quick hits: First responders head to Milton aftermath; charter schools to close

First responders head to Milton aftermath

Firefighters from Illinois are headed to Florida to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

Sixty firefighters from Monroe and St. Clair counties, along with engines and gear, will be in the Tampa area for 15 days responding to local emergency calls. Three million people are without power after the storm came ashore Wednesday night.

Charter schools to close

About 2,000 Acero students will need to relocate after leaders of the Chicago charter school system voted Wednesday night to close seven schools. The closures won’t happen until after the end of the school year.

Acero’s board of directors voted to shut down almost half of their 15 charter schools, citing declining enrollment and increased costs. The Chicago Teachers Union called the decision “reckless” and said the closures will destabilize communities.

Du Quion Fair numbers

More than 204,000 people attended the 2024 Du Quoin State Fair, breaking the previous record of 171,000 set in 2022. This marks the first time that fair attendance has exceeded 200,000 since industry standards were enacted.

When the 2024 Du Quoin State Fair and Illinois State Fair attendance figures are combined, the total number of fairgoers welcomed in Illinois is nearly one million.

The 2025 Du Quoin State Fair will begin August 22.