Former professor sentenced

A former professor accused of providing money to Hamas terrorists was sentenced Wednesday in Chicago to more than 11 years in prison and fined $5,000 for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury. Abdelhaleem Ashqar, a former associate professor of business at Howard University in Washington, D.C., showed no emotion as U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve imposed the sentence. But several relatives wept openly in the courtroom. Ashqar was convicted earlier this year of criminal contempt and obstruction of justice for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating the Palestinian militant movement Hamas on June 25, 2003. But he was acquitted of taking part in a racketeering conspiracy aimed at bankrolling the terrorist group Hamas. Before being sentenced, Ashqar delivered a nearly two-hour passionate statement describing the suffering of Palestinian people under the Israeli occupation and saying he would rather go to prison than divulge the secrets of Palestinian militants.

Fighting dogs confiscated

Chicago-area authorities say they've seized more than a dozen suspected fighting dogs. The dogs included 12 pit bulls at one home. The Cook County sheriff's office sais some of those dogs had scarring usually associated with dog fighting. At another location, one pit bull had scars on its face and one of its eyes was missing. Two Robbins men were arrested Tuesday at their homes and charged. Police said the cases didn't appear to be connected. Officials said Richard Colquitt was charged with multiple counts, including animal cruelty and illegal possession of certain dogs by a felon. The 39-year-old also faces weapons and drugs charges. In the other case, 33-year-old Nathan Knazze was also charged with illegal possession of certain dogs by a felon.

City wants to ban chickens

Live chickens aren't meant for big-city neighborhoods. At least that's how some Chicago aldermen see it and they're moving to ban the keeping of the birds in residential areas. The phenomenon of city chickens is apparently on the rise. Animal control officials in Chicago said they've had more than 700 complaints about chickens this year. That includes hundreds of gripes about rosters crowing too loudly. Alderman Lona Lane has taken the lead in pushing a hen and rooster ban through the city council's health committee. It's expected to pass at a council meeting next month. Lane said the chickens literally create a stink in some neighborhoods. She said chicken waste not only smells, but it also attracts rodents.

Resignation accepted

Bolingbrook's police and fire commission has accepted the resignation of Drew Peterson from the village's police force, allowing him to begin collecting a $6,000-a-month pension. Peterson submitted his resignation last week, but Police Chief Ray McGury refused to accept it, saying he wanted the police sergeant fired. McGury wouldn't disclose specifics but said he wanted Peterson fired for "severe" violations of departmental policies uncovered only since Stacy Peterson vanished. McGury filed a complaint last week with the commission seeking disciplinary action against Peterson, who had been suspended without pay pending an internal investigation.

Jet forced to turn around

American Airlines said one of its flights departing O'Hare International Airport for Dallas Wednesday afternoon was forced to turn around because of engine trouble. American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner said the captain of Flight 2325 reported a compressor stall in the plane's left engine. Wagner said there were no injuries reported among the 140 passengers and five crew members on board. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said the FAA is investigating.

Hunter shot and killed

An Illinois man is the second hunter to be accidentally shot during Wisconsin's deer season. Burnett County Medical Examiner Mike Maloney said 29-year-old Scott Kiefer of Montgomery was killed Monday afternoon about 20 miles east of Siren. Investigators said Kiefer was shot by another member of his hunting party when a rifle discharged after getting caught in some brush. The group was tracking a wounded deer at the time. The shooter was 54 years old.