Illinois quick hits: Rivian announces layoffs; cocaine, fentanyl seized

Rivian announces layoffs

Rivian Motors, with a plant in Normal, has announced that it will lay off 10% of its salaried workforce and expects vehicle output to be flat this year.

A company official said challenging macroeconomic conditions, including higher interest rates, were behind the weaker manufacturing outlook. Electric vehicle makers have been dialing back their investment plans for EVs, citing deceleration in the growth of sales and waning consumer interest.

Woman pleads guilty to theft

An Illinois woman has pleaded guilty to stealing from the Ravinia Festival Association when she was an employee.

Prosecutors said Michelle Bringham of Glenview owes $230,000 in restitution and will be on probation for two years for stealing from the non-profit. The FBI found that she wrote checks to a fake vendor to steal funds when she worked as an accounting coordinator.

Cocaine, fentanyl seized

A traffic stop in Iroquois County resulted in nearly $700,000 worth of cocaine and fentanyl being seized by Illinois State Police.

Police said the traffic stop happened on Interstate-57 south of Ashkum. A state trooper pulled over a semi-truck to perform a safety compliance inspection and when the trooper received consent to search the truck, 49 pounds of drugs were found.

The driver of the truck, who police said was from Houston, Texas, was arrested and taken to the Iroquois County jail.