Streets around central Illinois lined for fallen state trooper Corey Thompsen
Officers from Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri attended the service and participated in a procession for trooper Corey Thompsen.
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‘Became a hero’: Family announces funeral plans for fallen state trooper
CHAMPAIGN – Funeral arrangements for a fallen Illinois state trooper have been announced. The family of Corey Thompsen said in a news release shared by Illinois State Police that the visitation will be held October 26 from 1-5 p.m. at St. Joseph-Ogden High School in St. Joseph with a first responder walk through at 5…
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ComEd exec testifies utility prepared for bankruptcy before 2011 law threw it a lifeline
First portion of Madigan corruption trial a repeat of 2023’s ‘ComEd Four’ case CHICAGO – In 2006, electric utility Commonwealth Edison was riding out the last year of a decadelong state-mandated rate freeze, which had put the company in “dire” financial straits. In a period when corporate profits climbed at record rates, ComEd was an…
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FBI ‘turned over heaven and earth’ for evidence against Madigan but found only ‘legal favors,’ defense says
The FBI “turned over heaven and earth” to find incriminating evidence against former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan but ultimately found nothing more than “legal favors,” an attorney for Madigan’s longtime friend and confidant told jurors Tuesday. That won’t be enough to convict Michael McClain, the former lawmaker and lobbyist now on trial alongside Madigan, defense attorney John…
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Grayson, Massey family await court decision that could allow for his release from jail
Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson remains behind bars for the death of Sonya Massey. But a court is being asked to release him while he awaits his murder trial. Grayson, 30, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty. Grayson is being held…
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Michael Madigan racketeering trial gets underway: ‘The corruption of public office for private gain’
The opening statements kick off the trial of the longest-serving state House speaker in the country, and one of the most powerful politicians in Illinois history. The FBI has pursued Madigan for more than a decade, and the probe forced him from power in 2021. A federal prosecutor accused former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan of…
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State breaks up classes in Stateville prison closure
GALESBURG — For the first time in two decades, Robert Curry has a window. Curry is one of over 400 men transferred out of Stateville Correctional Center before its closure at the end of September. “I am able to see the world,” he said. “I’m able to see things like the highway from the yard….
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Sangamon County Sheriff says she will increase vetting for deputies after Sonya Massey killing
This story was originally published by Illinois Times The newly appointed Sangamon County sheriff plans to file records requests to obtain information from public agencies that have employed applicants for jobs as county deputies and correctional officers. Sheriff Paula Crouch also said she will mandate in-person visits to current and past employers, when possible, as…
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Michael Madigan’s 12 jurors have finally been chosen — alternates still needed before openings begin
The 12 primary jurors include a nurse who enjoys Marvel movies, a woman who works for Aramark and another woman who has worked in catering, including for an event tied to the recent Democratic National Convention. It took seven days and dozens of interviews, but 12 jurors have finally been chosen to decide whether Michael J….
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Michael Madigan’s friendship with alleged fixer could be tested during their corruption trial
Danny Solis had been making secret recordings for the FBI for more than a year when he met with Michael McClain in 2017 and asked a question that would eventually go to the heart of one of the biggest federal corruption cases in Chicago history. “What’s your relationship … with Mike, with the speaker?” Solis asked. The “Mike”…
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New proposed rules would lower the bar for stripping police officers of their badges in Illinois
This story is a collaboration between Invisible Institute and IPM News After lengthy delays, Illinois police regulators are one step closer to strengthening their ability to strip officers of their certification to work in law enforcement. The move aims to prevent officers who commit misconduct at one agency from simply moving on to another —…
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Jury selection begins in corruption trial of longest-serving legislative leader in US history
Nearly 200 potential jurors have showed up to federal court in downtown Chicago to face questioning by attorneys in court, including questions about their familiar with the case and Madigan.
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In the wake of Sonya Massey’s death, Springfield will test a new way to handle mental health calls
Massey’s death at the hands of police has prompted calls for change, but would those changes have been enough to prevent her killing? Sonya Massey, 36, was seeking mental health treatment up until the day she was shot and killed by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. County records show 911 calls from Sonya…
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American Water temporarily pauses billing after suffering cyberattack
The parent company of Illinois American Water is pausing billing after its computer systems were breached by hackers last week. American Water said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday that unauthorized activity was discovered in its network and computer systems on Oct. 3. The exact nature or origins of that incident…
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Illinois AG Kwame Roul takes legal action against TikTok to protect young users
CHICAGO– Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office filed a lawsuit against TikTok for its “harmful business practices targeting children and allegedly deceiving the public” about its dangers. The lawsuit stems from a nationwide investigation announced by Raoul in March 2022. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to address TikTok’s alleged misconduct as well as monetary penalties. In addition…
