Illinois news in brief: Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case

Illinois news in brief: Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case

Spread the love

Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case

A former Big Ten Network employee has been sentenced to 28 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $4 million in restitution after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges. Prosecutors said Weston Goldstein, 48, used company credit cards and the Big Ten Network’s procurement process to buy electronic devices and sell them online over a period of eight years.

EPA announces $5 million to address non-point source pollution

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director James Jennings has announced $5 million for projects addressing non-point source pollution. The agency said NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground, picking up pollutants and depositing them into sources of drinking water.

State recovers unpaid wages, prevailing wage penalties

The Illinois Department of Labor has recovered more than $67,000 in unpaid wages for eight employees after an investigation found prevailing wage violations by Absolute Home Improvements & Cleaning Service on a public works project in Lake County. The investigation found the employer failed to pay required fringe benefit rates to employees and did not comply with payroll reporting requirements under the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. The company also paid more than $6,700 in penalties.

Grocery stores that got taxpayer money may close

All seven Save A Lot stores across Chicago could shut down this Saturday after the company decided to end its partnership with grocery operator Yellow Banana. NBC Chicago reports that city officials attributed the end of the partnership to the recent death of Yellow Banana CEO Joe Canfield and cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The city gave $13.5 million in taxpayer funds to refurbish the grocery stores in 2022. A Save A Lot spokesperson said Yellow Banana is exploring options to keep the stores open.

⚠️ Heat Advisory issued July 27 at 5:48AM CDT until July 27 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jul 26
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
90° 70°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

💨 5 to 15 mph 💧 58%

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass

Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois legislative session has ended with no stadium deal for the Chicago Bears. House Bill 958...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student's alleged killer charged with new felony

Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer charged with new felony

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Late Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman’s alleged killer has been charged with possessing a 6-inch shank in...
$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, 'no property tax relief'

$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, ‘no property tax relief’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has voted to approve a record-high budget for fiscal year 2027, with new...
Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools

Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation to ban the use of cell phones by students from bell-to-bell officially passed both chambers in...
Election 2026: Stumps heavy with economy, crime in U.S. Senate race

Election 2026: Stumps heavy with economy, crime in U.S. Senate race

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Democrat and fifth decade politician Roy Cooper’s campaign to succeed Sen. Thom Tillis, flipping one of 53 seats in the U.S. Senate, is locked in...
Quintuple fatal in Virginia renews focus on English language in CDL licensures

Quintuple fatal in Virginia renews focus on English language in CDL licensures

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Jing Dong, a U.S. citizen after immigrating from China, will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the quintuple fatal crash early Friday morning, State Police...
Everyday Economics: Jobs report to test how long consumers can keep carrying economy

Everyday Economics: Jobs report to test how long consumers can keep carrying economy

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The jobs report is the main event this week. But the real question is bigger than payrolls. Can household spending keep holding up when the...
Congress returns to backlog of must-pass legislation

Congress returns to backlog of must-pass legislation

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After leaving town for a week without sending a key immigration enforcement funding package to President Donald Trump’s desk, Congress returns Monday to a backlog...
Climate science without a notorious worst-case scenario

Climate science without a notorious worst-case scenario

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change threw out one of its most extreme emissions scenarios last week, a major development in climate science...
Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks

Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Top Democrat leaders in the Illinois legislature met with Gov. J.B. Pritzker late Friday behind closed doors...
Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy

Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer watchdog is calling for a potential criminal investigation after allegations surfaced that a suburban...
Proposed $250 bill could be a boon for drug cartels, experts warn

Proposed $250 bill could be a boon for drug cartels, experts warn

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A proposal to create the largest U.S. currency denomination in more than 50 years could unintentionally benefit drug cartels, money launderers and tax cheats, according...
Iowa voters head to the polls for fierce races

Iowa voters head to the polls for fierce races

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Iowa will head to the polls Tuesday to elect candidates in several high-profile primary races that will be watched across the country. Many...
Frankfort School District 157-C.1

Frankfort 157-C Considers Five-Minute Public Comment Limit for Smaller Crowds

Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education Meeting | April 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education on April 21, 2026, reached consensus to extend...
Screenshot 2026-05-23 at 7.23.02 PM

District 210 Transportation Update Details Fuel Swings, New Bus Safety Technology

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 Transportation Director Andy Rezer told the board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that fuel...