Thunder from Down Under

It's been so cold in backwoods Kane County that some people are hoping the exploding bomb train can warm things up in their town.

HaHa, Kane County is building an underpass for the exploding Lake County train:

Things are looking up for motorists who suffer multiple daily delays waiting for slow-moving freight trains to cross Randall Road on the border of Elgin and South Elgin. Kane County officials have announced the county has been awarded $25 million in federal funding for a new overpass that will allow drivers to travel over the Canadian National railroad tracks.
Relief in sight for Randall Road drivers in Kane County frustrated by freight trains

One regional functionary told your LakeCountyEye that anyone craving winter entertainment won't need to drive through an expensive holiday light show. They will be able to drive over the exploding bomb train instead. And all for free.

In related news, Friday is Groundhog Day. Do you ever have déjà vu?

Flight Payment

Did you hear the one about the Illinois County that built a bridge through terrain that saw no traffic at all? They paid for it with a toll both.

HaHa true story. Which may explain how this story happened:

one thing motorists won't meet when they drive over the Longmeadow Parkway bridge is a toll taker, electronic or otherwise. With construction nearly complete and the bridge across the Fox River expected to open later this year, it's now official that the span will be toll-free.
Longmeadow Parkway bridge will be toll-free when it's expected to open this fall after much controversy

Enjoy it while you can, however. One ostensibly regional authority told your LakeCountyEye: "The minute that parkway is annexed for the Waukegan International Airport runway expansion, the toll booth goes back up. It costs money to run an airport."

Bomb Trains Bursting in Air

It's been so cold in Lake County that some people are hoping the exploding bomb train can warm things up in their town.

HaHa, the Village of Barrington is building an overpass for the exploding Lake County train:

Drivers traveling through Barrington along Northwest Highway know what it’s like to suffer long delays as they wait for freight train traffic to clear along the Canadian National Railway tracks near Route 59. But relief is on the horizon. Work begins this year on a $94.1 million project to build a long-awaited underpass carrying Route 14 traffic between Route 59 and Valencia Avenue below the railroad tracks.
'Long awaited and longed for': Underpass work in Barrington set to begin

One regional functionary told your LakeCountyEye that anyone craving winter entertainment won't need to drive through an expensive holiday light show. They will be able to drive under the exploding bomb train instead. And all for free.

In related news, the Waukegan International Airport is expected to file a legal claim on the overpass for its runway expansion project.

Growing Tree Preschool Open House

Growing Tree Preschool Open House
January 17 Hunt Club Park Community Center 6:30-7:30 pm

Growing Tree Preschool Open House
January 18 Viking Park Community Center 6:30-7:30 pm

Boom Town

Pyrophiles will not have to wait until the Fourth of July this year. The Village of Fox River Grove wants to blow up part of its downtown in April:

Fox River Grove is one step closer to revitalizing its downtown as the village plans to start demolition on a full block along Route 14 in the spring.
Fox River Grove aims to start demolition on downtown block in April

The Village of Fox River Grove will demolish 6 heirloom storefronts on Rte 14 to make room for a 5 story apartment building. The properties were acquired by eminent domain:

Fox River Grove uses eminent domain to buy downtown properties, meaning possible redevelopment but also New China’s closure

In related news, the Waukegan Airport issued a cease-and-desist order: "Not so fast, there, Village of Fox River Grove. The Waukegan International Airport shall be exercising eminent domain authority to seize that land for its runway expansion project."

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

No One Ever Went Broke Underestimating Artificial Intelligence

Has the Lake County Gazette been downloading its content from AI ChatBots? The evidence indicates the Lake County Gazette (Lake County's #1 fakenews source) got ChatBot to fabricate this story:

Who are these people?

Major General John Smith, possibly "(May 7, 1750 – March 5, 1836) was a Virginia planter and politician who served in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly as well as the United States House of Representatives."
John Smith (Virginia representative)

Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Johnson MBE RLC, might be the Commander of the 154 (Scottish) Regiment British Army's Royal Logistic Corps.
154 (Scottish) Regiment RLC

It's anybody's guess who General Mark Johnson, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is U.S. Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
Charles Q. Brown Jr.

Finally, the Lake County Gazette gave a H/T to State Representative Tom Weber for the stiory idea:

Who is Tom Weber? No doubt some rando that ChatBot pulled out of the Internet.

Frosty Fest in Gurnee

Frosty Fest in Gurnee