Kwame Raoul

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…

Mike Madigan
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Michael Madigan once controlled much of Illinois politics. Now the ex-House speaker heads to trial

Michael Madigan is charged in a multimillion dollar racketeering and bribery scheme, some involving Illinois’ largest utility. The Chicago Democrat was once considered the most powerful force in Illinois politics.

Mike Madigan
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Madigan judge refuses to toss counts after Supreme Court ruling limited bribery law

U.S. District Judge John Blakey handed down his ruling less than a week before the former Illinois House Speaker is set for trial. The judge also denied a request from Madigan’s longtime friend and confidante to be tried separately.   A federal judge on Wednesday declined to dismiss criminal charges leveled against former Illinois House…

Sangamon County police cars

In Sangamon County, Grayson wasn’t the only deputy hired with a DUI on his record

Former Sheriff Jack Campbell retired amid scrutiny of his personnel decisions. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell came under fire for his hiring practices after he employed a deputy with two DUI convictions, who is now accused of the murder of an unarmed black woman in her kitchen. But it wasn’t the first time he chose…

Police

One dead, one critically injured after shooting at ‘pop-up party’ near Illinois State University campus

NORMAL – One person was killed and another was critically injured in a shooting near the Illinois State University campus during homecoming weekend. The incident happened during a large party that had gathered outside a gas station early Sunday morning. In a message to students, faculty, and staff University president Aondover Tarhul said individuals not…

Khadafi Muhammad speaking at press confrence

Illinois juvenile detention centers facing hundreds more sex abuse claims

Over 200 more men and women say they were sexually abused as children at Illinois juvenile detention centers, joining hundreds of others who previously joined in lawsuits. Three new lawsuits were filed Monday describing “a culture of sexual abuse” in Illinois juvenile detention centers between 1996 and 2021, the latest in a series of suits…

Want to know a police officer’s job history? There’s a new tool for that from Invisible Institute
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Want to know a police officer’s job history? There’s a new tool for that from Invisible Institute

The non-profit journalism organization Invisible Institute has launched a new tool that allows people to look up police employment history.  The National Police Index, created in partnership with Innocence Project New Orleans and Human Rights Data Analysis Group, compiles data obtained from state police training and certification boards. The tool currently shows data in 17 states, including…

Parkland College

Champaign man arrested for making threats against local college

CHAMPAIGN – A Champaign man was arrested Tuesday after making violent threats against a local college campus. Champaign Police arrived at 9:06 a.m. to Parkland College following a report of threats made on social media, according to a news release. Police were made aware of a social media post that contained threats against the college…

Illinois Supreme Court statue

Illinois Supreme Court rulings address FOID seizures, hospital room privacy

Justices unanimously overturn decision that would have voided part of FOID law SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court last week vacated a lower court ruling and reinstated a statute that authorizes the state to revoke a person’s Firearm Owners Identification card once they’ve been charged with a felony, even if they haven’t yet been convicted….

Illinois Board of Elections
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FBI investigating after Illinois, more than a dozen other election offices receive ‘suspicious’ package

The Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield was evacuated Friday after receiving a suspicious package — joining a growing list of election offices that have been targeted nationwide. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said last week they were investigating the origin of suspicious packages that have been sent to, or received by, elections officials…

David Olson
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A year after end of cash bail, early research shows impact less than many hoped or feared

Jail populations down, no change in failure to appear rate, analysis shows   SPRINGFIELD – One year after Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate the use of cash bail, the impact on the state’s criminal justice system appears to have been far less dramatic than people on either side of the…

SCHIAZZA MADIGAN

Case of former AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan heads to jury 

Ex-AT&T Illinois president maintains company got legislative win through legal lobbying   CHICAGO – On Valentine’s Day in 2017, then-AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza got some good news: After years of trying to push for legislation in Springfield that would save the company hundreds of millions of dollars annually, powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael…