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Illinois Duo Sentenced for Multi-Million Dollar Bank Fraud Scheme and Money Laundering
Two Illinois men, Erik Richard Jones and Mitchell Allen Melega, were sentenced to prison after being convicted of bank fraud and money laundering. They were also ordered to pay nearly $4.84 million in restitution for defrauding First Midwest Bank and misappropriating loaned funds. The sentences were handed down in Rock Island, following their guilty pleas to multiple charges. On July 23, 2024, Erik Jones, of Colona, was sentenced to 54 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Mitchell Melega, formerly of Orion, was sentenced to 75 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. They were both ordered to pay $4,840,944.63 in restitution.
Illinois quick hits: More layoffs announced; suspects sentenced for stealing mail
More layoffs announced Manufacturers Caterpillar and John Deere are laying off workers. Moline-based John Deere laid off 170 employees this week, following hundreds more layoffs in the Quad Cities area the past few months. Caterpillar officials confirmed that the company implemented a one-week layoff for employees in East Peoria. According to Industrial Technology Research, U.S....
Most Illinois jails restrain people in chairs. This county ‘violently shocked’ them, too.
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Brice Fritz was naked, strapped down to a chair in a jail cell when a staff member monitoring her via video delivered 80,000 volts of electricity through the stun cuff on her leg. “I felt like I was being electrocuted,” Fritz told the Illinois Answers Project,...
Local Players Help Illinois to Little League Senior Softball Central Region Tournament Title Game
West Central High School senior-to-be Addie Seitz and Macomb High School senior-to-be Kylie Robinson are playing summer softball for an Illinois team that is currently participating in the Little League Senior Softball Central Region Tournament in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The team from Illinois are vying to win back-to-back Little League Senior World Champs.
Black Bears Spotted in Southern Illinois in Growing Numbers
Southern Illinois has reported several black bear sightings in the past weeks, causing quite a stir among local residents and animal lovers. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has confirmed these sightings across various counties such as Saline Pope, Williamson, and Jackson. Sightings Over the Past Few Weeks. The...
Illinois Woman Wins $1 Million In Lottery, Immediately Pays It Forward
This is the kind of person that should win the lottery. Some people really have the gift of being authentically selfless and enjoy helping other people. That seems to be the case for a woman from Aurora. According to the Illinois Lottery, Antoinette ‘Toni’ Green of Aurora won $1 million...
Saving new moms from the surprising leading cause of maternal death
Black women are at a higher risk of postpartum mental health disorders, with substance use disorder and suicide being the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths, and there are numerous resources available in Illinois to help new mothers receive the care they need.
Plainfield-Oswego Rep. Benton files prescription drug rebate bill for next General Assembly session
Plainfield-Oswego Democratic State Representative Harry Benton is staying busy during the current legislative recess, including filing a bill regarding saving on prescription drug costs for consumers. House Bill 5865 was filed with the clerk of the General Assembly on Friday, July 19. Benton said the goal of the bill is...
The House on Garling is nearly done — again
The first thing to know about the house at 1905 Garling Drive in Bloomington is that you cannot miss it. Tucked within a nondescript neighborhood of mid-century ranch homes is the house Tom Kirk built. Several years ago, Kirk, the former co-owner of Henson Disposal, started adding scrap metal sculptures to his home and yard.
New Illinois Law Requires Weather Radios In Certain Homes
It's been a rough tornado season and a new Illinois law is taking aim at that. We can all agree it's been a messy summer. In the Chicago area alone last week, there were 33 tornadoes, compared to their usual 5 or 6 per year. With the derecho that moved through last week, 5 tornadoes rolled through the QCA. In Iowa, May was ridiculous. We average 11 tornadoes in May. But this year, we had over 80 tornadoes in May alone.
When 2 Illinois Men Got Lost in the Woods – Something Found Them
It was supposed to be a date with two girls they had met, but for two Illinois men it became something completely different and terrifying. After they became lost in the woods trying to locate the home of the ladies, something found them, but it wasn't what they were hoping for.
Illinois To Host World’s Largest Karaoke Party
If you like to sing in front of a crowd, then this party in Illinois is perfect for you. World's Largest Karaoke Party At Illinois Concert Venue. Even though I don't do it very often, I enjoy doing some karaoke. The first time I ever did it was in Rockford at the original JMK location at Mulford and Spring Creek. I did "Born To Be Wild." Nowadays, my go-to tune is "Don't Stop Believin'"
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