Briefs: Teen charged in murder
A 16-year-old Chicago boy was charged Wednesday in the fatal shooting of a University of Chicago graduate student from Senegal and a string of armed robberies around the campus, police said. Eric Walker gave a videotaped statement, with a parent present, admitting his role in the crimes, Lt. Dennis Keane said at a news conference. Amadou Cisse, 29, was shot in the chest just steps from his home near the university shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 19. Police still are relucant to give details about what led to Cisse's death or Walker's exact role, other than to say the motive appeared to be robbery. Walker was charged with one count of first-degree murder, three counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, authorities said.
Clerk arrested in drug sting
A clerk in the Cook County public defender's office has been arrested for accepting a nearly 40-pound package of marijuana brought to her office. Officials say the package was delivered by a Chicago police officer posing at a UPS worker. Police say they arrested 40-year-old Lamour Holloway Tuesday as she put the package in a vehicle outside her workplace. The marijuana was valued at more than $100,000. As a clerk, Holloway earns $34,000 a year. Records indicate she's been employed by the public defender's office for 10 years.
Fired worker talks to FBI
A state worker fired for leaking a report about corruption in the Blagojevich administration said he has been questioned by the FBI. Matthew Magalis wants the Civil Service Commission to return him to his job at the Illinois Department of Human Services. The department fired him last month for giving a confidential investigative report to a Chicago newspaper. Magalis testified at a commission hearing that a federal probe is exactly what he sought when he released the report about Khalil Shalabi. State inspectors found that Shalabi raised money for Gov. Rod Blagojevich and managed personal businesses on state time.
Seigle donates $10 million
Elgin-area tycoon Harry Seigle will donate $10 million to his alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis, to help fund a new building for the school's arts and sciences and law school. The former chairman of Seigle's Inc., a building supply chain, graduated from Washington University in 1968. Two of his sons and a brother also are alums. The $10 million gift is one of the largest in the school's recent fundraising efforts, the university said, and will pay for the bulk of the new facility now under construction on the west end of the Danforth campus. "I do it out of a heartfelt affection for Washington University," Seigle said of his donation Wednesday, adding that he hopes the facility's research and education will benefit future generations.
Brass band at Hemmens
Illinois Brass Band will be performing An Old Fashioned Christmas at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Illinois Brass Band is a six-time North American Brass Band Association Champion. The performance will feature classic carols and other holiday songs. Tickets are $15 and $20 and available at the Hemmens or by calling (847) 931-5900.
AIDS Walk in Elgin
A walk for orphans will be take place Saturday in Elgin in conjunction with World AIDS Day. The event seeks to increase awareness about the children affected by the AIDS pandemic and urge Congress to continue its commitment in the global fight against AIDS. The walk starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Family Life Church, 270 E. Chicago St. Walkers will take 6,000 steps, about three miles, through downtown Elgin in solidarity with the 6,000 children who will be orphaned that day by AIDS.
States sue for disclosure
Twelve states, including Illinois, sued the Bush administration Wednesday to force greater disclosure of data on toxic chemicals that companies store, use and release into the environment. The state officials oppose new federal Environmental Protection Agency rules that allow thousands of companies to limit the information they disclose to the public about toxic chemicals, according to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the lead attorney general in the lawsuit. The change lets 100 polluters off the hook in New York alone, he said. The EPA, however, said the change improves the Toxics Release Inventory law and eases requirements only on companies that can certify they have no releases of toxins to the environment.