Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Passes Away, Bradley Firework Incident, New Harbor House Shelter - Tuesday, February 17th, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West covers the passing of a monumental figure in American history and brings you the latest developments affecting the Kankakee and Bourbonnais communities.The program opens with a tribute to civil rights activist and two-time presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84. The report reflects on his profound impact on the "Rainbow Coalition" and his lifelong dedication to justice, from his early days marching in Selma to his historic political campaigns.Local coverage includes:Kankakee Fire Investigation: Details on a late-night mobile home fire on South Schuyler Avenue and the current status of the investigation.Bourbonnais Riverfront Park: Information on the upcoming final public workshop for the Master Plan and how residents can voice their opinions on the future of the park.Harbor House Fundraising: An update on the capital campaign for the new Lorena Panozzo emergency shelter and how the community is coming together to reach the final funding goal.Public Safety in Bradley: A clarification from local police regarding reports of shots fired on Inglesh Avenue.Consumer Protection: An urgent "Do Not Drive" warning from the NHTSA involving millions of vehicles with Takata airbags, as well as a legislative update on a bill aimed at controlling rising homeowners insurance costs in Illinois.The update concludes with a look at the latest in sports, including the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks breaks, Fighting Illini rankings, and the start of MLB spring training for the Cubs and White Sox.For the full stories and in-depth reporting on these topics, listen to the complete episode.Photo of Jesse Jackson in episode artwork by, Wojciech Grabowski | Dreamstime.comHave a news tip to share? Send us a text!Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)The voices you trust, beyond the dial.