Briefs: Dismissal a shocker

Dismissal a shocker

A federal magistrate judge reversed herself Friday and dismissed charges against a man who had been accused of firing shots at a Metra train. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan R. Nolan's change of heart evidently caught federal prosecutors by surprise and they immediately said that the case was far from over. "While we respect the judge's decision, we strongly disagree and this investigation is continuing," said Randall Samborn, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office which had brought the charges. Telly Virgin, 31, had been in custody since Oct. 26 on a federal complaint charging him with endangering a train by firing a gun at it. Despite being freed of the federal charge, Virgin was not immediately released. He remained in custody in lieu of $150,000 bail on a state firearms charge.

Museum loans paintings

Chicago's Art Institute is loaning about 90 of its Impressionist and post-Impressionist works to a Texas museum. The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth will show the pieces while the Art Institute's galleries dedicated to 19th century French paintings undergo renovations. The works include paintings by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin and Claude Monet. They will be on view in Texas from June 29, 2008, to November 2, 2008.

Prosecutors want e-mails

Cook County prosecutors are demanding any e-mail correspondence between Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration and an auditing firm hired to investigate a contractor accused of bilking the state out of more than $2 million. Judge James Obbish on Thursday ordered the e-mails be turned over to the court as part of the criminal case against Anita Mahajan. She is a major donor to Blagojevich's political campaigns and the indicted owner of the now-defunct K.K. Bio-Science. Mahajan's company was suspected of billing the state for drug screenings that were never performed. Prosecutors for months have been trying to get the audit of K.K. Bio-Science commissioned by the state, which they suspect contains more evidence for their case. A Blagojevich spokeswoman said the audit was recently turned over.

Marine's funeral Monday

Funeral services are planned Monday for a 20-year-old Marine corporal from Downers Grove who died during training. Joseph Stevenson III died in his sleep Sunday at Camp Pendleton in California. He had served one tour in Iraq. A family statement says Stevenson was undergoing reconnaissance training at the time of his death. He was born in Hinsdale and graduated from Downers Grove North High School. His parents, Joseph Stevenson Jr. and Barbara Ann Stamper-Stevenson, said their son had always wanted to be a Marine. He entered active duty in August 2005. Stevenson will be buried with full military honors after a funeral service in Downers Grove.

Education aid approved

In another twist in the state budget drama, Illinois lawmakers approved legislation Friday to spare schools from financial hardship. The measure authorizes spending about $550 million in additional education money. The money was included in the budget that passed over the summer after months of disagreements and gridlock in Springfield. But lawmakers had never approved the "budget implementation" bill that allowed the money to be spent. The measure now goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who said he will have to review the details before deciding whether to sign it. If the money isn't released within days, complicated funding formulas will require the state to cut aid to more than 700 schools, lawmakers said.