Briefs: New CTA deadline in place
The Chicago Transit Authority has approved a set of service cuts and fare hikes that will take effect Jan. 20 if the agency doesn't receive state government funding. The agency postponed higher fares and service cuts set for last week after Gov. Rod Blagojevich offered the agency $21 million in state money. But Wednesday, the CTA board voted to cut 81 of its 154 bus routes, raise fares to as much as $3.25 and lay off more than 2,400 workers at the new deadline. CTA President Ron Huberman said the agency would start running a deficit starting Jan. 1 and that it is out of options.
Chicago plane searched
A plane that flew from Chicago to New York's LaGuardia Airport was searched Thursday after someone reported finding a bomb threat against the plane on the Internet, officials said. American Airlines Flight 382 landed safely and 117 passengers and five crew members were taken off the plane before the search began, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The plane was moved away from other aircraft before the search started, but the airport remained open. Bomb-sniffing dogs were checking luggage and the plane. In addition, luggage was being matched to the passengers. The bomb threat call came into a general number at the New York Police Department and was transferred to 911. The caller, who spoke slowly, claimed he had seen information on the Internet that there was a bomb on the flight, authorities said. The plane had apparently landed when the call was received.
Woman admits stealing
A 52-year-old Elk Grove Village woman charged with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from her employer admitted to the crime Thursday -- and immediately forked over more than a half-million dollars in restitution. Susan Coconate, who had worked for more than a decade as an accountant, bookkeeper and officer manager for Elk Grove Village-based Taylor Chicago Distributors, was charged with stealing about $553,000 from the company over three years, authorities said. She pleaded guilty to one count of theft Thursday; other counts were dismissed as part of a plea deal that landed Coconate 480 hours of community service, $520 in court costs, a four-year probation, and the requirement she pay back the entire stolen sum. Coconate, whose address is listed on Evergreen Street in court documents, shelled out most of that money in court Thursday, Assistant State's Attorney Karyn Stratton said. Another $9,000 will come from her bond, authorities said. The remaining $14,000 must be paid over four years.
Pilot has Wheaton ties
On a day Wheaton College students gathered to honor military veterans across the country, the day began instead with a prayer for one of their own. Word reached the college campus of an Army helicopter crash in northern Italy Thursday. Eleven U.S. service members were on board the UH-60 Army Black Hawk when it went down in a swampy field, shattering into at least two pieces. Sophomore Lars Skoglund then received a call from his parents in Racine, Wis., with the news that his brother, Christian, was the pilot. Christian Skoglund was unconscious, but breathing. Just seven years ago, he, too, was a student at Wheaton College. He earned a degree in environmental science while playing ice hockey and soccer. College officials said he went on to become a military pilot based at Fort Rucker, Ala.