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INJUSTICE WATCH/WBEZ: Dying and disabled Illinois prisoners kept behind bars, despite new medical release law
By Carlos Ballesteros (Injustice Watch), Shannon Heffernan (WBEZ), and Amy Qin (WBEZ) This article was produced by WBEZ, Chicago’s NPR news station, and Injustice Watch, a nonprofit news organization in Chicago focused on issues of equity and justice in the court system. Phillip Merritt’s dementia is so advanced he’s lost the ability to speak. But…
As perjury trial draws to close, ex-Madigan aide leans on memory science, wife in defense
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – In more than two weeks of his obstruction of justice and perjury trial, one fact about the longtime chief of staff to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan came up time and again: Tim Mapes was detail-oriented. Mapes not only served as Madigan’s top aide…
Illinois heat wave is the latest of several weather extremes in the state
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois is roasting in triple digit temperatures this week, forcing the state and schools to cancel some outdoor activities and modify class schedules. Every county in Illinois was under an excessive heat warning Thursday morning, with some areas expected to continue to be under advisory until at least…
Illinois heat wave is the latest of several weather extremes in the state
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois is roasting in triple digit temperatures this week, forcing the state and schools to cancel some outdoor activities and modify class schedules. Every county in Illinois was under an excessive heat warning Thursday morning, with some areas expected to continue to be under advisory until at least…
Illinois heat wave is the latest of several weather extremes in the state
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois is roasting in triple digit temperatures this week, forcing the state and schools to cancel some outdoor activities and modify class schedules. Every county in Illinois was under an excessive heat warning Thursday morning, with some areas expected to continue to be under advisory until at least…
State leaders announce FFA mental health awareness grant program
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Farmers and residents of rural communities often face stigma when it comes to mental health challenges, but state leaders hope to change that. Governor JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that chapters of FFA – the group once known as Future Farmers of America – will be eligible for $1,000…
Southern Illinois casino opens, sends $25 million to the state
By JENNIFER FULLER, MOLLY PARKER & ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com CARTERVILLE – Gov. JB Pritzker joined hundreds of people from across southern Illinois on Friday to celebrate the opening of the state’s 14th casino on a rural estate just outside of Carterville. The Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort is the fourth casino to open…
Cairo port project gets additional funding, but construction timeline still uncertain
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Both the state and federal governments are pumping additional money into plans to develop a riverport in southern Illinois at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. President Joe Biden’s administration announced Wednesday that the Alexander-Cairo Port District will receive a $150,000 grant to develop…
UPDATED: Jury convicts Madigan’s longtime chief of staff on perjury, obstruction of justice charges
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – A federal jury has convicted the once-top aide to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, finding Tim Mapes guilty on charges of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice for lying to a grand jury investigating Madigan and his inner circle. The jury of six men and…
Illinois heat wave is the latest of several weather extremes in the state
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois is roasting in triple digit temperatures this week, forcing the state and schools to cancel some outdoor activities and modify class schedules. Every county in Illinois was under an excessive heat warning Thursday morning, with some areas expected to continue to be under advisory until at least…