Articles filed under Illinois

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No solution after pension summit Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Union leaders Monday used a “pension summit” in Burr Ridge to once again call on top Illinois lawmakers to negotiate with them over changes to teachers' and state workers' retirement benefits State lawmakers have been gridlocked on the issue for more than a year, arguing about how best to curb Illinois' rising pension costs. As retirement costs go up, the state has less money for other things.
Allstate’s Gregoire works to help others Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Kukec's People features Buffalo Grove's Maryse Gregoire, who has worked for Allstate for 39 years and recently won the Outstanding Employee Volunteer of the Year award with her community work.
Kotowski a central player in gun debateFeb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Before being elected to the state Senate, Democrat Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge was a visible player in the emotional debate over guns in Illinois. Kotowski worked for six years as the executive director for the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, making him one of the state’s top gun control lobbyists. Now, as both sides are set to clash on the issue in 2013, Kotowski could have a key role in that debate.
Durbin proposing fix for veteran tuition costs Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says veterans attending public colleges shouldn’t be burdened with out-of-state tuition and fees. The Democratic senator is working with lawmakers to fix an unintended consequence of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.
Illinois, Indiana to join for summit on guns Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Hoping to address the flow of guns across state lines, Cook County Sherriff Tom Dart plans to host a gun summit in Indiana later this week, his spokesman told The Associated Press on Sunday. The event will be held Friday in Gary. Those invited include Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, Gary Police Chief Wade Ingram and Lake County (Ind.) Sheriff John Buncich.
Notable deaths of the week: Historic women Feb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Report: High-speed rail would help 460 Midwest businesses Feb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Military dogs are forgotten heroes Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Nero isn't your average veteran. He served with the U.S. Navy in a bomb detection unit in Iraq and protected more than 3,000 soldiers during his deployment. But what separates Nero from most veterans are his four legs and furry coat. To fellow Iraq War veteran Danny Scheurer, Nero is more than a German shepherd. He is a hero. Both Scheurer and Nero were injured in the line of duty in Iraq. As a result, Scheurer receives roughly $1,000 a month from the government. Nero was in line for a different fate.
4 Ill. buildings added to historic places register Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency says four buildings in the state have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Named to the list was the 1920 Neuville apartment building in Chicago's Steeterville neighborhood, an early example of luxury apartment buildings that offered the amenities of private mansions. It features an elegant lobby and 10-room apartments.
Sources: Jesse Jackson Jr. signs plea deal Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty in a plea deal connected to a federal investigation in which the former congressman is accused of misusing campaign funds, according to sources close to the investigation. Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements, the sources said. Federal prosecutors are recommending a 5-year maximum sentence.
Illinois State Fair announces more performances Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
The Illinois State Fair is adding more performances to its grandstand lineup — including the return of Styx and REO Speedwagon. The fair also has booked The Band Perry, Billy Currington, Gary Allan, Thompson Square, Toby Keith and the cast of "Million Dollar Quartet."
Quinn signs law to fast-track foreclosures Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a new law that’s designed to speed up Illinois’ foreclosure process. The governor’s office says the law will help restore neighborhoods and property values by decreasing the time a home sits empty and getting properties back on the market.
Pope defrocks Illinois priest accused of abuse Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
A Roman Catholic priest whose decades-old molestation of a former altar boy led to a $6.3 million payout in an Illinois lawsuit has been kicked out of the priesthood by Pope Benedict XVI. Diocese of Belleville Bishop Edward Braxton announced the move involving 78-year-old Raymond Kownacki in a statement published in a recent edition of the diocesan newspaper.
Cabinet member’s letter, not law, key to roadwork Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration says that when it comes to a boost in road construction this spring, follow the letter, not the law. A new law signed by the governor allows as much as $176 million to be taken out of a road construction fund. But in a letter to a top Senate Democrat, Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider promises not to divert that much money from a $675 million plan for highway and bridge construction projects this year.
Kirk’s physical therapist to be guest for speech Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Sen. Mark Kirk has invited one of the physical therapists who helped him recover after his stroke to be his guest for next week’s State of the Union address. A spokesman for Kirk says Mike Klonowski of Chicago was one of the Republican senator’s primary physical therapists at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Report: New congressman not cooperating in ethics probe Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
The office investigating U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock over allegations the Illinois Republican violated campaign fundraising laws says new GOP Congressman Rodney Davis isn’t cooperating with the probe. Schock is accused of soliciting a $25,000 contribution last March from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s political action committee for PAC backing of Rep. Adam Kinzinger. The report says Davis was the contact between Schock and several PACs.
Illinois officials warn about home warranty scam Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
The Illinois Department of Insurance is warning consumers that a Florida-based company is illegally marketing home warranty services to Illinois residents.The agency said Wednesday that Arkidus Home Protection continues to market the warranties despite a previous cease and desist order from the Illinois Insurance Department. They say the state of Florida has taken similar action against Arkidus for illegal activity.
Ex-prisons accountant pleads guilty Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
A former Illinois Department of Corrections accountant has pleaded guilty to embezzling around $77,000 from an association formed to memorialize prison workers killed on the job. Mary Ann Bohlen pleaded guilty Wednesday in Springfield to two counts of mail fraud and two counts of embezzlement.
Will County wants to harvest Asian carp from lake Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
Carpenter finds work in discarded wood Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
With 25 years in the homebuilding business, Scott Theroux had been around long enough to know that his job was in trouble in 2008. "I could feel it coming. There was no work," said Theroux, a carpenter who was working for a custom builder. He was let go Nov. 11, 2008, and the next day his now-fiancée, Joyce Weiss, lost her job as a temporary worker at the Cadbury gum plant, which became a part of Mondelez International.