Briefs: Jail officer accused

Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart said a correctional officer who worked at the county jail faces bribery and official misconduct charges after taking more than $20,000 in kickbacks from a jail vendor. Dart said 39-year-old James Kelly is a 14-year veteran. He supervised employees and inmates who prepared meals inside the jail's two kitchens. Between November 2005 and August 2006, Kelly asked for bribes on six separate occasions from an outside contractor doing kitchen repair work, authorities alleged. Dart said the contractor is cooperating with the investigation. Dart said Kelly resigned after being de-deputized last week. He was being held in sheriff's police custody pending a bond hearing Wednesday. It wasn't immediately clear if Kelly had an attorney.

Help on gangs welcome

Law enforcement officials from Chicago and several of its suburbs are voicing support for a proposed federal law that would stiffen the penalties gang members could face for crimes. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is a co-sponsor of the legislation, which has been approved by the Senate. He says it is sad and terrifying that society is still dealing with gang violence. Durbin's bill would make some crimes -- such as drug trafficking and street gang recruitment -- committed by gang members eligible for federal penalties, including time in the federal prison system. The bill also would pump hundreds of millions into gang-prevention and intervention efforts through grants and the expansion of existing federal programs. Police officials supporting the bill overwhelmingly agreed prevention tactics hold more promise than stiffer penalties for dealing with gangs.

Police substation opens

A week after the fatal shooting of a graduate student, the University of Chicago has opened a police substation near the location of the crime. The station on the south end of the campus will be staffed 24 hours a day until May, when the new campus police headquarters is expected to open at the location. In addition, the SafeRide van program, which transports university students and employees on or near campus, is now available beginning at 10 p.m. instead of midnight. Amadou Cisse, a 29-year-old native of Dakar, Senegal, was shot to death last week. Cisse was weeks away from finishing his PhD. He was walking to his off-campus apartment when he was shot to death. Police are still investigating.

Frist joins Chicago firm

Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is becoming a partner in a recently formed private investment firm in Chicago. He is joining Cressey & Co. LP, which will focus on the health-care industry, the company announced Tuesday. Frist, of Nashville, was a heart-lung surgeon before his election to the Senate in 1994. Earlier this month, he said he was considering a bid for Tennessee governor in 2010. Frist, 55, abandoned a widely expected presidential bid last year and is now focusing on global health issues. He has signed on to teach at Princeton University and is heading up a Save the Children campaign to lower childhood mortality around the world.

Tribute acts at Arcada

Tribute acts to Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley will team up Dec. 14 at the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. The concert A Diamond and A King is set for 8 p.m. It will feature Denny Diamond and Rick Saucedo performing Neil Diamond and Presley music, respectively, with a 12-piece band. Tickets start at $29 and are available online at www.thearcada.com or by calling (630) 587-8400.