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Michael Madigan, the former speaker of the Illinois House, charged with racketeering and bribery

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton police are asking Ford County’s prosecutor to criminally charge two 14-year-old boys who recorded a video in which they made racist comments directed toward one of their schoolmates. Police are requesting that Ford County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian charge the two 14-year-olds in juvenile court with committing a hate crime, a Class 4 felony; harassment by electronic communication, a Class B misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Firefighters from Rantoul, Gifford and Thomasboro battled a house fire in Rantoul Wednesday evening. Crews were called to the fire on Gleason Drive just before 9 pm. The fire also damaged a neighboring home. No word on the cause of the fire.

 

 

(Chicago-jm) – Michael Madigan, the former speaker of the Illinois House and for decades one of the nation’s most powerful legislators, was charged with racketeering and bribery on Wednesday, becoming the most prominent politician swept up in the latest federal investigation of entrenched government corruption in the state. Madigan, 79, is charged with 22 counts, according to the indictment. In 2020, the Chicago Democrat was implicated in a long-running bribery scheme involving the state's largest electric utility, ComEd. Court filings at the time didn't name Madigan directly but made it clear he was the person in documents referred to as “Public Official A." Governor J-B Pritzker reacted to the news…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 1,640 new Coronavirus cases and 45 additional deaths. Vermilion County reported 2 new cases. Champaign County reported 37 new cases. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Teachers and other school staff can take paid administrative leave if they contract COVID-19 under a bill passed by the House this week. The legislation is similar to one vetoed last year but has one major change. Only teachers who have been vaccinated can take administrative leave instead of sick time. It’s supported by Representative Katie Stuart of Collinsville…

 

 

State Representative Katie Stuart of Collinsville. Opponents argued this is just another vaccine mandate. The bill now moves to the Senate.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – A 20 year old Urbana woman is expected to be ok after she was shot multiple times Wednesday afternoon. The woman was a passenger in a vehicle that was shot at near the Circle K on North Lincoln Avenue. She was shot in the torso and arm and was taken to the hospital where police say she is expected to survive. Anyone with information is asked to call Urbana police.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) – After a couple of years, Paxton's streetscape project is coming to life. Crews began putting up construction signs and barricades in the downtown area last night. The over one million dollar project will include resurfacing Market Street, redoing curbing and sidewalks and improving lighting.

 

 

(Ford County-tr) – The Ford County Public Health Department is offering a Drug Disposal and Medical Sharps Take Back Program. Ford County Public Health Department Community Health Educator Kami Garrison explains the need for proper disposal… 

 


 

Ford County Public Health Department Community Health Educator Kami Garrison. Drop offs are scheduled for each Tuesday and Friday in March from 8am-4pm at the FCHD. Contact Kami Garrison at 217-379-9281 for more information on the Drug Disposal and Medical Sharps Take Back Program. 

 

(Mahomet-jm) – A Mahomet man who authorities said inappropriately touched a child he was caring for is facing an aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge.  Scott Gamble, 53, was allegedly caring for this child more than 10 years ago. In December, the alleged victim reported what happened to her. She is now an adult woman. Gamble is held in lieu of $100,000 bond for the Class 2 felony charge. If he is convicted, he faces anything from probation to three to seven years behind bars.

 

(Washington-jm) – The top U.S. trade official notes that there have been shortfalls relative to China's commitment to buy U.S. products, under a two-year-old deal. Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

(Chicago-jm) – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been indicted by federal prosecutors for his alleged role in a racketeering conspiracy linked to lobbying practices during his time in politics. Madigan, 79, is charged with 22 counts, according to the indictment. Federal prosecutors allege Madigan was essentially the leader of a group that engaged in criminal conduct for his benefit. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin reacted to the news…

 

 

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Teachers would be reimbursed for their college tuition under a bill passed by the House this week. The legislation pays back teachers who went to an Illinois college and then stayed in the state to teach at a public school. The goal is to address the serious teacher shortage says Representative Sue Scherer of Decatur…

 

 

State Representative Sue Scherer of Decatur. Opponents argue that this initiative is estimated to cost over one billion dollars and even reimburses students from wealthy families that can easily afford college.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A man was reportedly stabbed near a store on Prospect Avenue. Champaign Police were dispatched at around 5:45 p.m. in response to a report of a domestic incident that involved several people. According to officers, the incident started inside of a store and spilled out into the plaza parking lot. Officers said a woman stabbed a man with a small knife and another woman brandished a machete. The victim has been taken to an area hospital for treatment. Police stated that they arrested the woman who is accused of stabbing the man. Officers confirmed this woman was 20-year-old Jimaria Filove Monae Wiley.

 

(Watseka-jm) – The State EPA is investigating a gas leak in Watseka. Fire crews and city personnel responded to several reports of the smell of gas. A leak was detected at the Shell Gas Station and a Haz-Mat crew from Kankakee as well as the state EPA and Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office were called in to investigate. Watseka officials say there is no contamination of drinking water and there is no reason for the public to be concerned.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois has received billions of dollars in money but now Republican lawmakers and the Governor and Democrats are in a showdown over how to use that money. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman says the state should use the money on reforms instead of expanding the government…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington. Lawmakers have until April to approve a new state budget although the new fiscal year begins in July.

 

(Champaign-jm) – As part of Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, Parkland College invites local community partners, ag industry professionals, K-12 educators, community members, students, and parents to join us for the Parkland College AgTech Showcase. On Thursday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can step inside Parkland's agriculture facilities, learn about the future of the Midwest Center for Precision Agriculture, and explore the new Early College and Career Academy program in Precision Agriculture.

 

 

(Washington-jm) – China is both a major buyer of U.S. agricultural products and a source of concern. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

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