State News
House Democratic Leader Greg Harris announces retirement plans
First LGBTQ leader spearheaded marriage equality, health care reforms PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Democratic Leader Greg Harris said Monday he will not seek reelection in 2022 and will step down from the General Assembly after eight terms in office. Harris, 66, of Chicago, is the first openly LGBTQ legislative leader…
Read MoreVaccine brings children closer to ‘Normal’
SPRINGFIELD – When it came time for her two young sons to receive their first shots of COVID-19 vaccine, Jamie Cross had a few tricks that worked better than sugar to make the vaccine go down. Blasting rock music by Fall Out Boy in the car on the way to the clinic – singing and…
Read MoreLarge fire reported at recycling business in East St. Louis
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — Firefighters were battling a large fire at a recycling business in East St. Louis Sunday morning. Thick black smoke billowed up into the air after the fire was reported before 5 a.m. Sunday at Tek Recycling in the Illinois suburb of St. Louis. Part of a large building’s roof…
Read MoreFormer Bears star Hampton arrested on drunken driving charge
WINFIELD, Ind. (AP) — Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Dan Hampton, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002, has been arrested in Indiana for allegedly driving a vehicle while drunk. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana said Hampton was arrested Nov. 20 on a charge of operating a vehicle…
Read MoreAt Jussie Smollett trial, Osundairo brothers at center stage
DON BABWIN Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — Two brothers stand at the center of the case that prosecutors will lay before jurors when the trial of Jussie Smollett begins this week. The former “Empire” actor contends he was the victim of a racist and homophobic assault in downtown Chicago on a frigid night in January…
Read More5 rescued from suburban Chicago house fire that injured 6
AURORA, Ill. (AP) — Police in Aurora are investigating after rescuing five people from a weekend house fire that also injured six people. Aurora fire officials said the injured included one man in his 30s who was listed in critical condition with severe smoke inhalation and a police officer who suffered minor smoke inhalation. The…
Read MoreHistoric Illinois home serves as counseling, events center
By MIKE KRAMER Pekin Daily Times PEKIN, Ill. (AP) — Built in 1862, a historic home in Pekin currently serves as both the Crossroads Programs Inc. counseling center and as The Mansion on Walnut events center. Life coach Bonnie Harken bought the property in 2012 and rented it for a year to the previous owner,…
Read MoreChicago police warn businesses of smash-and-grab thefts
CHICAGO (AP) — Police are alerting businesses in Chica- go to recent thefts of purses at retail shops. Five thefts have been re- ported between Oct. 22 and Nov. 19 along North Michi- gan Avenue and North Rush Street involving up to 10 teens or young adults who enter and leave quickly, po- lice said…
Read MoreIDNR awards $113K in wildlife habitat grants for improvement of prairies and woodlands
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Grant money from the state’s pheasant wildlife program will support up- land game conservation and restoration of prairies and woodlands in northern Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources an- nounced this weeks grants of more than $113,000. The money comes from the State Pheasant Fund Spe- cial Wildlife Funds Grant…
Read MoreState enforces parking for disabled people
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Secretary of State’s office has begun stepped-up enforcement during the holiday season of parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities. Secretary of State police conducted sting operations at shopping malls in Schaumburg, Springfield and Fairview Heights on Friday and will aggressively enforce the law statewide in the coming weeks.…
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