Safety board: Alabama derailed train lacked needed couplers
A Norfolk Southern train that derailed in Alabama earlier this month lacked required alignment control couplers for two of its locomotives and a company inspection did not identify their absence, federal investigators said Monday. The notation comes in one of three preliminary reports issued Monday by the National Transportation Safety Board about Norfolk Southern train accidents this month as the board investigates the railroad’s safety practices after the fiery February derailment and toxic chemical burn in East Palestine, Ohio. In a report released Monday about a March 9 derailment of two locomotives and 37 rail cars in Anniston, Alabama, the safety board said two of the train’s six locomotives were “waybill locomotives,” or towed cars not used for any tractive power.
news.yahoo.comIllinois Supreme Court judges hears arguments over constitutionality of law eliminating cash bail
The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of an Illinois law that eliminates cash bail ahead of a decision on the state's appeal of a lower court ruling that struck down the provision.
chicagotribune.comRailroad group warns that car flaw could cause derailments
U.S. railroads were warned to take certain cars out of service Thursday after Norfolk Southern discovered loose wheels on a car involved in last weekend's derailment in Ohio. It's not clear that the loose wheels caused the derailment near Springfield last Saturday because the National Transportation Safety Board has just begun investigating that crash — the latest in a string of high-profile derailments that have been grabbing headlines. The Association of American Railroads trade group responded Thursday by issuing an advisory about the suspect cars.
news.yahoo.comWhite supremacist convicted in Charlottesville car-ramming accused of prison misconduct
James Alex Fields Jr. has been accused of making threats against at least one correctional officer and of wielding a "dangerous weapon," according to prison records and a U.S. Justice Department filing reviewed by CBS News.
cbsnews.comArlington Heights-based school district eyes lobbyist as talks of Bears move and tax deals heat up in Springfield
Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214's Board of Education agreed to consider hiring a lobbyist as talks of tax deals for a proposed Chicago Bears stadium in the suburbs heat up in Springfield.
chicagotribune.comWatch live: Biden to tout job growth and slowing inflation rates in speech on economy
Biden's speech also comes as Republicans in Congress prepare for a standoff with the White House on the debt ceiling. House Republicans have threatened to withhold support unless measures are implemented to cut spending, a position that they ignored during the Trump administration and previous Republican presidents. The debt ceiling is the legal limit set by Congress of how much the federal government can borrow. Failing to lift the debt ceiling could lead the U.S. to default on its bond payments, potentially causing catastrophic effects on the economy. The environment then was similar to the situation currently playing out where a newly-elected Republican majority refused to lift the debt ceiling under a Democratic president.
cnbc.comMore than 1,000 plaintiffs, including Darren Bailey and 70 firearms dealers, named in latest lawsuit challenging state gun ban
Unsuccessful Republican attorney general candidate Thomas DeVore has filed a second lawsuit challenging Illinois’ recently enacted ban on high-powered guns and high-capacity magazines.
chicagotribune.comJudge issues order blocking Illinois semiautomatic gun ban
A judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday blocking the new Illinois law banning assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. Effingham County Judge Joshua Morrison issued the order after former Republican candidate for attorney general Tom DeVore sued to block the law. DeVore said he’s representing hundreds of people from dozens of counties who argue the law violates their constitutional rights.
news.yahoo.comIllinois bans semiautomatic weapons, critics vow court test
Illinois banned the sale or possession of semiautomatic weapons Tuesday when Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation driven largely by the killing of seven people at a 4th of July parade last year in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park. Pritzker acted without hesitation after the House voted 68-41 to make Illinois the ninth state, as well as Washington, D.C., to prohibit the sale or possession of semiautomatic weapons. Pritzker, who was sworn into his second term on Monday, celebrated the culmination of what he described as a four-year struggle against “the powerful forces” of gun advocacy groups.
news.yahoo.comIllinois House sends measure banning military style firearms to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is expected to sign
The Illinois House gave final approval Tuesday to a comprehensive measure to ban military style firearms, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign even as opponents vow a legal challenge.
chicagotribune.com‘Christmas in January for legislators’: Illinois House approves pay hikes for lawmakers, statewide elected officials, agency heads
The Illinois House voted late Friday to give pay raises to lawmakers starting with those sworn in for a new term next week, while also boosting the salaries of the governor and other statewide officials.
chicagotribune.comAttorney General files intent to appeal judge's bail ruling
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Friday notified the state Supreme Court that he will appeal a local judge's ruling that eliminating cash bail for criminal defendants is unconstitutional. Raoul's notice requests the high court reverse Wednesday's ruling by Kankakee County Circuit Judge Thomas Cunnington. Cunnington decreed that the General Assembly violated the constitution's separation of powers clause by eliminating cash bail in the so-called SAFE-T Act criminal justice overhaul.
news.yahoo.comKankakee County judge finds that elimination of cash bail provision in SAFE-T Act is unconstitutional – Chicago Tribune
A Kankakee County judge has found a key provision of Illinois’ sweeping criminal justice law is unconstitutional, potentially rolling back a controversial measure that would eliminate the use of cash bail as of New Year’s Day, according to a copy of the judge’s ruling obtained by the Tribune.
chicagotribune.comMan charged in connection to Springfield cat death pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charges
A man who was arrested November in connection with the death of a cat in the Springfield neighborhood, pleaded not guilty to two counts of animal cruelty and a charge of petit theft, jail records showed Tuesday.
Photos: Satanic Temple of Illinois and advocating for religious plurality
The Satanic Temple of Illinois has been adding a seasonal display in the state house rotunda. Like much about the Satanic Temple, it's less about Satan and more about pushing the limits of intellectual freedom and freedom of religion.
chicagotribune.comMan charged in connection to Springfield cat death faces additional animal cruelty charge
A man who was arrested November in connection with the death of a cat in the Springfield neighborhood is now facing an additional count of animal cruelty, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report obtained Thursday by News4JAX.
10th Annual Let’s Move Jacksonville Field Day
I’m A Star Foundation teens are preparing for their milestone 10th Let’s Move Jacksonville, a big field day embracing health, wellness and self-care. The event will take place Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Klutho Park, located at 204 West 3rd Street in downtown Springfield. TV anchors from all three local news stations are joining forces to host the event. Action News Jax’s Tenikka Hughes, First Coast News’ Chris Porter and WJXT River City Live’s Rance Adams will encourage the crowd to enjoy a variety of activities.
Pet owners in Springfield on edge after multiple family cats disappear, including 2 later found dead in dumpster
Pet owners in the Springfield area who were already on edge following the recent disappearance of multiple cats are even more on edge after an incident involving a family cat was caught on video.
Darren Bailey, playing to downstate crowd, resumes calling Chicago a ‘hellhole’ at state fair’s GOP day
Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey again had harsh words about Chicago, resuming his description of the city as a "hellhole' during Republican Day speeches at the Illinois State Fair.
chicagotribune.comMore police promised for Chicago trains after fatal shooting
Chicago police and transit officials on Saturday pledged additional security for the city's trains to stem a spike in violent crime after the shooting death of a passenger overnight. A 29-year-old man, Diuntel Moon, was shot multiple times in the chest and abdomen on a Chicago Transit Authority Red Line train on 79th Street in the Chatham neighborhood about 2 a.m. Saturday, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said at a news conference. “No resident should think twice about their safety on any part of CTA or in our neighborhoods.”
news.yahoo.comFederal judge throws out lawsuit alleging required signage on Illinois’ gas tax freeze violates free speech
A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by a group representing gas station owners that fought a requirement for businesses to display signs advertising a freeze on the state’s gas tax.
chicagotribune.comPritzker says state now in compliance with a law requiring DNA evidence in rape cases to be tested within six months
Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the Illinois State Police no longer has any DNA evidence from sexual assault cases that has not been tested within six months, a significant improvement from a backlog that existed for years.
chicagotribune.comBringing axe-throwing to Main Street
Stumpy’s Hatchet House opened earlier this month in Springfield, bringing axe-throwing to Main Street. Stuart and Kelly Josberger initially had the idea to start an axe-throwing business in 2015, when splitting wood in their backyard quickly led to throwing axes at log rounds with their friends. The couple were considering starting a business after retirement and began to look more into axe-throwing, realizing no one had yet brought the idea to the US. They soon opened a location in Eatontown, New Jersey – making this the first hatchet house in the United States.
Silkie’s Chicken and Champagne
Chef Kenny Gilbert has launched his newest endeavor in Springfield. Silkie’s Chicken and Champagne forms an eclectic concept that offers many styles of fried chicken on multiple flavors of biscuits. Pair that with cocktails featuring bubbles as the base...it may sound a little out there, but I can attest, the combo is fiercely pleasurable to the palate. I sat down with the chef to talk about his new concept, the reason for the location and the experience Kenny hopes people have when they visit Silkie’s.
Porchfest Returns to Historic Springfield
Porchfest makes a return to Historic Springfield this weekend after a year long hiatus. While attendees can expect the same great neighborhood vibe with plenty of music, food and more...the main focus will be on the east side of the neighborhood. With 25 acts on a number of featured porches from noon to 8pm, the vibe will be engaging and infectious. With the addition of multiple businesses on Main and Pearl Streets, attendees are invited to stay for Porchfest After Dark. Rance made a stop at one of the headline act houses to find out more about this weekend’s activities.
Media outlets recall country's unity after Sept. 11 attacks
Media outlets that often spend hours each day exploring the country's differences paused to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by recalling almost wistfully the sense of common purpose that united Americans in the aftermath.
Piece of North Tower destroyed on 9/11 rests in courtyard at Bartram Trail
It wasn’t long after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 that Mark Miner, then a senior at Bartram Trail wrote a letter — actually multiple letters — to officials in New York City asking for a piece of the World Trade Center wreckage. Time and again Miner was rebuffed. And again he tried. One finally got through.