The Times Illinois News

'La Familia' drug cartel members indicted

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Fifteen people with ties to the Mexican drug cartel La Familia Michoacana have been indicted on charges of taking part in a major Chicago-area cocaine conspiracy, prosecutors announced Friday.

The people charged in indictments returned Thursday

Head of police sergeants group arrested

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A Chicago police sergeant who heads a local sergeants association has been arrested on charges he stole more than $600,000 from the organization.

Sgt. John Pallohusky, president of the Chicago Police Sergeants Association

Homeless Naperville man reclaims property

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (AP) Police in Naperville say the Chicago suburb's best-known homeless man has reclaimed his personal property after it was confiscated by officers.

Police confiscated Scott Huber's belongings while they were locked to a bench

'La Familia' drug cartel members indicted

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

The people charged in indictments returned Thursday

Head of police sergeants group arrested

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A Chicago police sergeant who heads a local sergeants association has been arrested on charges he stole more than $600,000 from the organization.

Sgt. John Pallohusky, president of the Chicago Police Sergeants Association

Homeless Naperville man reclaims property

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (AP) Police in Naperville say the Chicago suburb's best-known homeless man has reclaimed his personal property after it was confiscated by officers.

Police confiscated Scott Huber's belongings while they were locked to a bench

New law means more federal money

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A new law will help the state get more federal money to pay hospitals that care for the poor.

The state is expecting to get more than $1.1 billion from Washington because the federal government

Chief opens Illinois 'supermax' prison to show reforms

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

TAMMS, Ill. (AP) Although he's confined to his cell for all but about an hour on most days, Steven Wuebbels doesn't mind being isolated at Illinois' lone 'supermax' prison a place human rights activists consider inhumane.

New law means more federal money

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A new law will help the state get more federal money to pay hospitals that care for the poor.

The state is expecting to get more than $1.1 billion from Washington because the federal government

Chief opens Illinois 'supermax' prison to show reforms

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

State senator fights gunman at his Peoria business

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) A state senator from Peoria says he fought off an armed robber who interrupted him while he was doing some remodeling at his business.

Democratic Sen. Dave Koehler says he was painting Thursday night

State senator fights gunman at his Peoria business

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) A state senator from Peoria says he fought off an armed robber who interrupted him while he was doing some remodeling at his business.

Democratic Sen. Dave Koehler says he was painting Thursday night

Company closing southern Illinois coal mine

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

ROYALTON, Ill. (AP) An underground southern Illinois coal mine will close by the end of the year.

Knight Hawk Coal says the 50 workers at the Royal Falcon mine near the boundary of Franklin and Jackson counties

H1N1 flu update: Illinois reports nine new deaths

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Illinois is reporting nine new deaths and 241 new hospitalizations from swine flu.

The Illinois Department of Public Health's weekly update brings the total number of deaths in the state from the virus to

Ethics committee: No punishment for Burris

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate ethics committee admonished a U.S. senator on Friday for making "inconsistent, misleading or incomplete" statements about the circumstances surrounding his appointment to the Senate seat once held by Barack Obama. The committee recommended no action

Ethics committee: No punishment for Burris

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., for making 'inconsistent, misleading or incomplete' statements about the circumstances surrounding his appointment to the seat once held by Barack Obama. The committee recommended no

Police: Store clerk shoots, kills robbery suspect

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) Authorities say an East St. Louis store clerk being robbed by six armed men opened fire, killing one of the suspects.

Investigators say 26-year-old Larando King was killed in the shooting Thursday

Three plead guilty in Illinois in dogfighting sweep

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) Sentencing will be in March for three Illinoisans swept up in the largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history.

Derrick Courtland of Cahokia, Joseph Addison of East St. Louis and James Milburn III

Police: Two found dead in house fire had been shot

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CAIRO, Ill. (AP) Authorities say two women found dead in a burning house in the far southern Illinois town of Cairo had been fatally shot. Illinois State Police say 29-year-old Beatrice Barber of Cairo and 27-year-old Eva

Hospital's Facebook chat offers H1N1 flu answers today at noon

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Got a swine flu question? Get an answer during a live Facebook chat offered by Chicago's Rush University Medical Center.

The hospital has lined up two infectious disease experts for Friday's hour-long chat, starting at

Illinois motorists told to prepare as winter nears

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Illinois motorists have been urged to start getting ready for winter driving.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police said Thursday that they are making final preparations for snowy and

Questions for Quinn over Thomson prison

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Republican members of Congress from Illinois have a few questions for Gov. Pat Quinn about possibly using a state prison to house Guantanamo Bay detainees.

The seven lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Mark Kirk and Don

College prof charged with child porn

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Federal agents have arrested a college biology professor on charges of using his computer to send images of child pornography.

The agents charged 41-year-old Kevin Fuller after searching the computer in his Oak Park home

Who entered home and decorated for Christmas?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

HERSCHER, Ill. (AP) Police in the Kankakee County town of Herscher say they are looking for someone who might be described as a home-invading Christmas elf.

Herscher Police Chief Rick Gilbert says a local woman and her

Former prep analyst indicted in bank robberies

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) A federal grand jury in Peoria has once again indicted a former prep basketball talent analyst on bank robbery charges.

Former Springfield resident Stephen Wacaser was indicted Wednesday for the Oct. 19 robbery of

63-year-old baby sitter convicted of sexual abuse

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (AP) A 63-year-old Aurora man faces as long as 37 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a child he was baby sitting.

A Kane County jury convicted Jerald Spring on

VFW post commander dies of robbery injuries

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

MIDLOTHIAN, Ill. (AP) Authorities say the commander of a VFW post in Chicago's southern suburbs has died of injuries suffered when he was beaten and robbed while depositing money from a veterans' fundraiser.

Bill Burtner, commander of

Police: Store clerk shoots, kills robbery suspect

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) Authorities say an East St. Louis store clerk being robbed by six armed men opened fire, killing one of the suspects.

Investigators say 26-year-old Larando King was killed in the shooting Thursday

Three plead guilty in Illinois in dogfighting sweep

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) Sentencing will be in March for three Illinoisans swept up in the largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history.

Derrick Courtland of Cahokia, Joseph Addison of East St. Louis and James Milburn III

Police: Two found dead in house fire had been shot

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Hospital's Facebook chat offers H1N1 flu answers today at noon

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Got a swine flu question? Get an answer during a live Facebook chat offered by Chicago's Rush University Medical Center.

The hospital has lined up two infectious disease experts for Friday's hour-long chat, starting at

Illinois motorists told to prepare as winter nears

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Illinois motorists have been urged to start getting ready for winter driving.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police said Thursday that they are making final preparations for snowy and

Questions for Quinn over Thomson prison

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Republican members of Congress from Illinois have a few questions for Gov. Pat Quinn about possibly using a state prison to house Guantanamo Bay detainees.

The seven lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Mark Kirk and Don

College prof charged with child porn

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Federal agents have arrested a college biology professor on charges of using his computer to send images of child pornography.

The agents charged 41-year-old Kevin Fuller after searching the computer in his Oak Park home

Who entered home and decorated for Christmas?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

HERSCHER, Ill. (AP) Police in the Kankakee County town of Herscher say they are looking for someone who might be described as a home-invading Christmas elf.

Herscher Police Chief Rick Gilbert says a local woman and her

Former prep analyst indicted in bank robberies

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) A federal grand jury in Peoria has once again indicted a former prep basketball talent analyst on bank robbery charges.

Former Springfield resident Stephen Wacaser was indicted Wednesday for the Oct. 19 robbery of

63-year-old baby sitter convicted of sexual abuse

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (AP) A 63-year-old Aurora man faces as long as 37 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a child he was baby sitting.

A Kane County jury convicted Jerald Spring on

VFW post commander dies of robbery injuries

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Bill Burtner, commander of

Oprah ending show in 2011

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) - "The Oprah Winfrey Show," an iconic broadcast that began as a local Chicago talk show and grew over two decades into the foundation of a media empire worth billions, will end its run in 2011 after 25

Illinois unemployment hits 11 percent, highest since 1983

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO - Illinois' unemployment rate continued to climb last month, rising to its highest level in more than a quarter century, officials reported Thursday.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rose from 10.5

Illinois unemployment hits 11 percent, highest since 1983

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Police horse patrols canceled in Chicago suburb

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) Four horses that are part of Waukegan's mounted police patrol need new homes after budget troubles forced the Chicago suburb to cancel its equestrian unit.

'We will be relinquishing the patrol,' Waukegan police chief

Illinois lawmakers have little say on Thomson prison

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) The president of the Illinois Senate says state lawmakers have no formal control over whether terrorism suspects wind up being housed in the state.

President John Cullerton says lawmakers can't take an official vote allowing

Illinois unemployment hits 11 percent

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Illinois' unemployment rate has hit its highest level since August 1983.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 11 percent in October. That's up from 10.5 percent in

Illinois firearm deer hunt begins

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is urging hunters to make safety their first priority as the state's deer season begins this week.

Illinois Firearm Deer Season opens Friday through Sunday and the seven-day

Report projects soaring obesity by 2018 in Illinois, US

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A new obesity report has some sobering estimates for Illinois and the rest of the nation.

If current trends continue, about 43 percent of adults in Illinois and nationwide will be obese by 2018. That's

Swimming instructor convicted of sexual assault

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (AP) A Cook County jury deliberated only four hours before finding former swimming instructor Kevin Skowron guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault against a 4-year-old girl.

The verdict Wednesday came after a three-day trial

Coroner's jury rules homicide in Venice shooting

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) The Madison County coroner's jury and the county grand jury can't seem to agree on a 24-year-old Granite City man's shooting death.

On Wednesday, the coroner's jury declared the death of Chaunci Dukes a

FAA computer problem causes widespread delays

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A problem with the FAA system that collects airlines' flight plans is causing minor delays at both of Chicago's airports.

Chicago Aviation Department spokeswoman Karen Pride says airlines at both O'Hare and Midway airports are

FAA computer problem causes widespread delays

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A problem with the FAA system that collects airlines' flight plans is causing minor delays at both of Chicago's airports.

Chicago Aviation Department spokeswoman Karen Pride says airlines at both O'Hare and Midway airports are

Appeals court won't reduce molester's sentence

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD (AP) A state appeals court has rejected convicted child molester Jon White's bid for a reduction in his 60-year sentence.

White contended the 60-year prison sentence he received last year for the sexual assault of school students

Prison on lockdown after assault

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

GALESBURG (AP) An assault at the Henry Hill Correctional Center is resulting in a lockdown at the Illinois Department of Corrections facility.

Department of Corrections spokesperson Januari Smith says an inmate assaulted a male employee at the medium

Chicago police: No homicide in schools chief death

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Chicago police said Wednesday that tests have revealed gunshot residue on the hand of Michael Scott the strongest evidence yet that the president of the city's school board took his own life.

In a news

2 charged with hiding jail escapee

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

PEORIA (AP) Peoria authorities have filed criminal charges against a brother- and sister-in-law accused of helping hide one of two escaped inmates from the Peoria County Jail earlier this week.

Prosecutors say Joshua Kulik and his sister-in-law, Brianne

Two Peoria County Jail escapees recaptured

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) Two men who escaped from the Peoria County Jail through a hole in a cell ceiling have been recaptured.

The Peoria County Sheriff's Department says a second inmate, 44-year-old James Fuller, was recaptured Wednesday

Quinn, Hynes trade barbs at debate

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes sparred over the best way to raise the state income tax in the first of two debates Wednesday between the rival Democratic candidates for governor.

The men

Ministers: School board president death no suicide

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) More than two dozen ministers and activists say they don't believe Chicago School Board President Michael Scott committed suicide. And they're calling on state and federal authorities to conduct their own investigations.

In a sometimes

Illinois woman pleads guilty to killing stepson

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) An Alton woman faces up a half century in prison now that she's admitted in court that she killed her 22-month-old stepson in a fit of rage.

Twenty-nine-year-old Jami Anderson pleaded guilty Wednesday in

Quinn: Thomson prison deal 'probably' will happen

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Gov. Pat Quinn says a deal to sell a prison in northwestern Illinois to the federal government to house Guantanamo Bay detainees 'probably' will happen.

But Quinn acknowledged he doesn't have any inside information about

Man pleads not guilty in Illinois church attack

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

JONESBORO, Ill. (AP) A man accused of trying to kill two women in a southern Illinois church says he didn't do it.

Forty-five-year-old Willis Bates of Anna pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Union County to charges of

Judge weighs visitation in boy-behind-wall case

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

BENTON, Ill. (AP) A southern Illinois judge is weighing whether a woman accused of hiding her 6-year-old son in a crawl space for nearly two years whenever visitors arrived should have visitation rights.

Franklin County Circuit Judge

Cancer study seeks smokers and former smokers

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Chicago researchers are seeking current and former smokers for a study on early detection of lung cancer.

Participants have to be at least 50 years old for the study at Rush University Medical Center. It's

New Illinois law aims to make school buses safer

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Illinois has a new law that officials say will improve the safety of students riding on school buses.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill into law on Tuesday. The measure requires all Illinois school bus

Burr Oak Cemetery to reopen

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

ALSIP, Ill. (AP) Officials say Burr Oak Cemetery, where former workers were accused of digging up hundreds of graves in a scheme to resell plots for money, will reopen this week after being closed for nearly four months.

Plastics industry moving trade show to Orlando

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Labor costs is being named by the plastics industry for the reason it will move its trade show from Chicago to Orlando for 2012 and 2015.

The decision announced Tuesday by the Plastics Industry Trade Association

1 Peoria County Jail escapee recaptured

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) Police say they have apprehended one of two men who escaped from the Peoria County Jail.

The two Peoria residents, 44-year-old James Fuller and 28-year-old Aaron Cook, were discovered missing early Tuesday morning. Peoria County

Homeless man allegedly threw hot coffee on clerk

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WOODSTOCK, Ill. (AP) A homeless man is facing as long as five years in prison on charges he threw a hot cup of coffee in the face of a Crystal Lake Starbucks worker, scalding her.

The defendant, 28-year-old

Madigan suing 2 hair-growth companies

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit against two Chicago-area hair growth businesses that guarantee clients results in less than six months.

In the lawsuit field Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court Madigan accuses

Feds find 'rampant' assaults at Illinois institution

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A federal investigation has found violations of the rights of residents of a Chicago-area institution for people with developmental disabilities.

Investigators found 'rampant' assaults at Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park. They noted unexpected deaths

U. of IIllinois, grad instructors agree on contract

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

URBANA, Ill. (AP) The University of Illinois and its graduate instructors reached a tentative agreement Tuesday that may end a day-old strike at the Urbana-Champaign campus. The strike began Monday after weekend contract negotiations broke down over whether

Two inmates escape from Peoria County Jail

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) Two inmates have escaped from the Peoria County Jail, and authorities say a hole was found in the ceiling of a second floor cell.

Peoria County Sheriff Michael McCoy says the two men escaped

Illinois officials weigh in on housing Guantanamo detainees

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO A delegation from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons met with Illinois officials Monday and tried to calm their fears after inspecting the Thomson Correctional Center in western Illinois, where the White House is considering housing some terror

WIU project makes Illinois history available online

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

MACOMB, Ill. (AP) Two Western Illinois University librarians are making western Illinois history more accessible online.

A grant allowed librarians Bill Thompson and Jeff Hancks to put the contents of several historical societies' newsletters on the Web.

Threats prompt closure of Illinois school district

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

GIRARD, Ill. (AP) Classes at a southwestern Illinois school district are closed for a second day after vandals left messages threatening to blow up some of the buildings.

Girard School Superintendent Marlene Brady says the nearly 700-student

Police: Two dead in house fire in Cairo

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CAIRO, Ill. (AP) Illinois State Police are helping to investigate a house fire that killed two people in the far southern Illinois town of Cairo.

Alexander County Coroner Willie Bigham says the fire happened shortly before noon

Vice Lords gang member gets 10 years in gun case

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) An admitted member of Chicago's Vice Lords street gang has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of a 9-millimeter pistol.

Stephen Waltower got the maximum penalty for a convicted felon in possession

Giannoulias joins Dems backing prison plan

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias is joining many other Democrats in backing the idea of housing terrorism suspects at an Illinois prison.

A spokeswoman says Giannoulias wants more information, including a military analysis of the

Illinois amends rules on giving new birth certificates

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Illinois has made it easier for people who have had sex reassignment surgery to change their birth certificates to reflect their new gender.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the state has issued new birth

Man man charged with murder in weekend beating

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD(AP) Sangamon County authorities have charged a 42-year-old Springfield man with first-degree murder in the weekend death of a man he allegedly hit in the head with a table leg.

Marcus Beeler, who had already been charged with

State representative robbed at gunpoint

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Authorities say Illinois State Representative Annazette Collins was robbed at gunpoint while she and her sister were in front of their mother's home on Chicago's South Side.

The Chicago Democrat says she was not injured in

Machete-wielding man steals tacos

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

ELGIN (AP) Police in Elgin say they are hunting for a machete-wielding man who apparently has quite a taste for tacos.

Elgin Deputy Police Chief Jeff Swoboda says a local resident was walking back to his vehicle Sunday

Illinois legislators move to block Guantanamo prisoners from state

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO Republican congressmen from Illinois took steps Monday to slow or halt the transfer of terrorism suspects from Guantanamo Bay to a state prison in Thomson in western Illinois.

House Republican Mark Kirk of Northbrook, Ill., called

Teen dies in rollover wreck blamed on deer

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

JOHNSTON CITY, Ill. (AP) Services will be Tuesday for a southern Illinois teenager killed in a weekend rollover wreck caused when her mother swerved to avoid a deer.

Authorities say 15-year-old Madyson Darnell of Johnston City died

Man ordered imprisoned for shooting wife, officer

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

MARION, Ill. (AP) A judge who sentenced a Marion man to a half century in prison for shooting his wife and a police officer says it's a miracle no one was killed in the gunfire.

Williamson County

Power broker dropped from Blagojevich trial

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) A federal judge whittled down the list of defendants for Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial, dropping Springfield power broker William Cellini and leaving only the former governor and his brother.

And Michael Ettinger an attorney

Chicago School Board president believed dead

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

CHICAGO (AP) Authorities believe a body pulled from the Chicago River is that of Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott.

Chicago Police officials say they're waiting for Scott's family to confirm his identity and an investigation