(CHICAGO) A mistrial has been declared in the trial of a former AT&T Illinois President accused of bribing former House Speaker Michael Madigan. Court officials say Paul La Schiazza was charged in a five-count indictment that alleged he engaged in a conspiracy to bribe Madigan in 2017 while AT&T Illinois was trying to pass legislation it believed was worth millions of dollars to its bottom line. After three days of deliberation, the jury’s foreperson told the judge that the jury could find a way out of a stalemate.
(CHICAGO) A Spring Grove woman accused of neglecting and abusing a wheelchair-bound elderly Veteran who was in her care is now facing a handful of felony charges. Fox Lake Police say 55 year old Lynda Serrano has been charged with three felony counts of elder abuse or neglect by a caregiver. The charges were handed down after an elderly Veteran who had been in her care since late 2023 told medical staff at the James Lovell VA Medical Center about the alleged abuse and they in turn contacted local authorities.
(NORMAL) Illinois State University is implementing a wage freeze. After the ISU Annual State of the University address over the weekend, college officials said the university needs to cut expenses across the board, which means no staff wage increases this year. The school is also cancelling plans to build a new residence hall, plus other building additions and improvements are being cancelled. Officials say raising tuition to cover rising expenses is no longer possible comparing the value of a college degree with the cost of teaching it.
(SPRINGFIELD) This week is Rail Safety Week in Illinois, marking the 11th year of the statewide awareness initiative. The Illinois Commerce Commission & Operation Lifesaver, a national rail safety non-profit, is conducting a week-long safety blitz across the state to share rail safety facts. The vast majority of collisions in Illinois occur where active warning devices, like flashing lights, ringing bells, and/or gates are already installed. Last year, 102 collisions at public highway-rail crossings in Illinois resulted in 18 deaths.