Rednour: ‘At Du Quoin State Fair anything’s possible’
Madigan, Cullerton file lawsuit over lawmakers missed paychecks
CHICAGO — Leaders of the Illinois House and Senate sued Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday over what they called a “purely political and unconstitutional” move to block lawmaker paychecks because of inaction on the state’s nearly $100 billion pension crisis.
Here’s the link to the story in the Springfield State-Journal Register.
Judge rejects bid to allow concealed carry immediately
A federal judge is rejecting a legal bid by gun-rights advocates who wanted people to be able to immediately carry firearms in Illinois under the state’s new concealed carry law.
Bost enters the race for 12th Congressional District
MURPHYSBORO – State Rep. Mike Bost is making the rounds today in three Southern Illinois communities, making it official that he will run for the 12th congressional district on the Republican ticket in 2014.
Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.
Arraignment hearing for Depler continued, rescheduled for Aug. 7
BENTON – A court hearing for 32-year-old Michael A. Depler, of Valier, — scheduled for Wednesday — was pushed back for two weeks on a continuance motion filed by defense attorney Jordan Campanella.
Depler was arrested following a fatal ATV accident last month in Franklin County that resulted in fatal injuries to Eco C. Edmonds, 26, of Mulkeytown.
Last week a Franklin County Grand Jury handed down a seven-count indictment charging Depler with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to stop after having an accident involving personal injury, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cannabis, improper operation of an all-terrain vehicle on a roadway, driving while license suspended and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
Following the continuance Depler is now slated to appear in Franklin County Court for an arraignment hearing on August 7 at 1:30 p.m.
Former Buckner cop William McKinney makes first court appearance
William P. McKinney, the former Buckner police officer who is facing charges in the death of a 62-year-old Buckner resident, made his first appearance in Franklin County Circuit Court on Monday.
McKinney is charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery of a senior citizen and official misconduct in the death of Roy D. Barnhart who died July 7, five days after McKinney arrested him.
McKinney was advised of his rights and an arraignment hearing was set for August 14 at 1:30 p.m.
McKinney was fired by Buckner officials shortly after the altercation that took place on July 2. Police were called to quell a disturbance and Barnhart and McKinney, who was one of the responding officers, had a heated verbal exchange. Barnhart was tasered by one of the other officers and then McKinney allegedly hit and kicked Barnhart after he was on the ground and handcuffed, according to witnesses. At least one report by witnesses indicate that McKinney had to be physically pulled off of Barnhart, who died July 7 at St. Louis University Hospital.
McKinney is being represented by Franklin County Public Defender Eric Dirnbeck.
‘Bleeding the taxpayers dry’: Investigation looks at retirement benefits for county part-timers
Officials with Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund are investigating whether dozens of part-time employees working for St. Clair County, mostly attorneys, received retirement benefits even though they may not have worked enough hours to qualify.
Lisa Madigan takes pass on governor’s race
For months, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan, brushed aside the notion that it would be a conflict of interest if she served as governor while he continued to run the General Assembly.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Gun issue inspires talk of downstate Dem challenge to Gov. Ryan
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — When Gov. Pat Quinn tried to impose his last-minute restrictions on Illinois’ new concealed-carry gun law, he spent days rallying support in Chicago neighborhoods with stops at a West Side church, a community center and even historic Wrigley Field.
More details released in fatal Franklin County crash
Staff Report
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department released more information this morning regarding a fatal crash Wednesday night that took place on Route 14 east of Benton.
According to the report Lavern F. Johnson, 50, of McLeansboro, was killed at 9:15 p.m. when he struck a tractor pulling a bean drill and traveling west on Route 14 a short distance from North Thompsonville Road. The tractor was being operated by Steven S. Browning, 47, of Benton and according to the police report was taking up all the westbound lane and protruding into the eastbound lane. Johnson, who was traveling eastbound, was driving a 1998 Mercury Sable and died on impact, according to Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler.
At 9:26 p.m. a second vehicle being driven by Mary Stich, 71, of Dahlgren, Illinois, struck the implement. Stich received major injuries and had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Ewing-Northern Fire Department. Stich was airlifted from the scene by Air-Evac and taken to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville with major injuries. She is listed in critical condition.
A third person was also injured in the crash according to authorities. Kurtis T. Hunter, 49, of Johnston City, had stopped after the first crash and was out of his vehicle calling 911 when he was struck by the vehicle driven by Stich after she hit the implement. Hunter received injuries to his legs and was transported to Franklin Hospital by Abbott’s EMS. He was treated and released.
Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones said a reconstruction team is working on putting details of the crash together. He also said that citations are pending. State police also assisted with the accident which closed Route 14 for approximately four hours.