State unemployment rate at 11%; small decrease from month prior
Kankakee, Will counties see another positivity rate decrease as statewide number remains level By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The unemployment rate in Illinois fell to 11 percent for the month of August, a decrease of a half of a percentage point from the previous month as the state added 66,000 non-farm…
Read MoreIllinois won’t take part in payroll tax deferral program
62,000 state employees will see no change in paychecks By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois plans to continue withholding federal payroll taxes on behalf of its 62,000 employees despite a program President Trump launched in August that allows workers to defer paying those taxes through the end of the year. “I’m…
Read MoreSenate committee focuses on criminal sentencing reforms
By RAYMON TRONCOSO Capitol News Illinois rtroncoso@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The second state Senate committee hearing spurred by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ recently unveiled a legislative agenda focused on criminal justice reforms Tuesday, September 15. The joint hearing of the Senate Criminal Law and Public Safety committees addressed truth-In-sentencing laws that mandate violent offenders serve…
Read MoreFormer state Sen. Link pleads guilty to tax evasion
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Former state Sen. Terry Link pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday, September 16, to a felony charge of tax evasion. Link, a Democrat from Indian Creek who resigned his seat last week, admitted in a plea agreement that he willfully under-reported his income on his federal…
Read MoreStatehouse statues of Stephen Douglas, Pierre Menard to be removed from exterior
Office of the Architect board plans future discussion on statues, artwork inside Capitol By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Statues of two slave-owning men with historical ties to Illinois will be moved from the Statehouse grounds in Springfield to a secure storage site, a panel of four officials voted Wednesday morning, August…
Read MoreFred Tucker
Charles Frederick Tucker, 89, of Belleville, IL, died Thursday, August 13, 2020, at his residence. Memorials may be made to the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, an organization near and dear to Fred’s heart, or to Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com. Visitation: Friends may visit…
Read MoreCharles Green
On August 12, 2020, the world lost a real hero. Charles Edward Green, 53, of Freeburg, IL, died in a traffic accident, saving the lives of a full car and the passenger of his. Memorials may be made to the family in person at the funeral home, sent to their address, or expressed online at…
Read MoreLink charged with felony tax evasion
State senator accused of filing false 2016 return By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Terry Link was charged in federal court Thursday with a felony count of tax evasion. In a one-page document, federal prosecutors allege that Link filed a return for tax year 2016 in which he reported income…
Read MoreTribune to Celebrate “Dog” Days of Summer
The Freeburg Tribune welcomes August and the Dog Days of Summer with a new opportunity for our readers to share some fun. The Tribune is asking all dog lovers or owners to send in their favorite photos of our furry friends enjoying summer fun. The photos will be compiled at the end of the month…
Read MoreLawsuit seeks $450 million payment to ratepayers from ComEd, Madigan
Case alleges violation of RICO, which feds used to dismantle organized crime groups By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — A group of Commonwealth Edison ratepayers asked a federal judge Monday, August 10, to force the utility company, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and others to pay “at least” $450 million to be split…
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