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Former state Senator Thomas Cullerton pleaded guilty in a federal embezzlement case

(Chicago-jm) – A former Illinois state senator has pleaded guilty in a federal embezzlement case, two weeks after he abruptly resigned from the state Legislature. Former state Senator Thomas Cullerton, a Democrat from Villa Park, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of embezzlement, admitting that he improperly took more than $240,000 from the Teamsters labor union. The 52-year-old Cullerton has agreed to pay $248,828 in restitution. A prosecutor said during Tuesday's federal court hearing that Cullerton could face a prison sentence of more than a year. His sentencing has been set for June 21. Cullerton was charged in 2019 in an indictment.

 

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 1,055 new cases and 22 additional deaths. Vermilion County reported 3 new cases. Champaign County reported 16 new cases.

 

(Washington-jm) – What are the forecasts related to broiler and turkey production and prices? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign announced on Tuesday that all new city-produced programming will be available with closed captions. This programming includes live meetings of the City Council, Boards and Commissions, scripted programming and video recordings.

 

 

(Gilman-tr) – The Iroquois West School District will be updating their classrooms to provide better air quality for students and staff alike. IW Superintendent Angelo Lekkas says that many older classrooms do not have efficient filtering… 

 

 

Iroquois West Superintendent Angelo Lekkas 

 

(Paxton-jm) – A Paxton apartment was damaged by fire late Tuesday morning. Crews were called to the apartment fire on Market Street in downtown Paxton just before noon. No word on the cause of the fire at this time.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A second murder suspect has been arraigned in connection to the deadly December shooting of an Urbana teen.  Kamron Williams, 17, has officially been charged with eight counts of first degree murder, per Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz. Andrew Byrd, 18, has also been arraigned on murder charges in the same case.  The suspects are accused of killing Jordan Atwater-Lewis, 17, on Dec. 29, 2021. Prosecutors said Atwater-Lewis and others inside of a residence at 1610 W. Hunter St. affiliated themselves with a local gang and had been feuding with another group, which allegedly included Williams and Byrd. Rietz said Williams and Byrd went to the Hunter Street address in furtherance of the feud, at which time Atwater-Lewis exited the residence and was shot. 

 

 

(Danville-jm) – Balloons over Vermilion is awarding $200,000 to local groups. The grants are going to 15 local schools and groups working to better the lives of local kids.

 

 

(Paxton–jc)  The 20-22 Swine and Dine event is being planned again for this September in the city of Paxton. Officials with the event are expected to announce the entertainment schedule for the event later this morning. WPXN news will update the information on later news casts.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Masks are now optional on the Illinois House and Senate floors. Tuesday the House voted to end the mask mandate. The Senate released an update to their COVID mitigations as well. Masks in the Illinois Senate are now strongly encouraged, but not required. However, a negative PCR test is still required to get into Senate offices, committee rooms, press boxes, and galleries.

 

 

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 1,055 new cases and 22 additional deaths. Vermilion County reported 3 new cases. Champaign County reported 16 new cases.

 

 

(Washington-jm) – What might pork growers expect regarding domestic production and the price they might receive this year? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – Urbana’s fire chief is hanging up his helmet after 35 years. Chuck Lauss will retire in May. Under his leadership, the Urbana Fire Department received an ISO One rating, which only about one-percent of fire departments achieve.

 

 

(Springfield-tr) – The Illinois State Police are busy working through Foid application backlogs. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the ISP is making great progress… 

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City

 

(Champaign County-jm) – Tornado season is upon us and the Champaign Emergency Management Agency said it is gearing up for tornado season.

The Agency is posting to social media often to emphasize the importance of preparedness and is encouraging people to get weather radios to make sure they are alerted in case of a tornado. Illinois ranks 4th in the country for tornadoes.

 

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