Illinois quick hits: NFL star offers to help jailed woman; weather disrupts state fair

NFL star offers to help jailed woman

An NFL star is offering to help an Illinois woman who is serving a prison sentence after pleading guilty to stealing $1.5 million in food, mainly chicken wings.

Vera Liddell, who was the food service director for the Harvey School District, is serving nine years in prison.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones posted on “X” that he would pay for the wings she stole to get her released from prison.

Weather disrupts state fair

Weather is prompting changes at the Illinois State Fair.

The start time for the Jonas Brothers concert has been moved up because of expected thunderstorms. Thursday’s concert has been moved to 7 p.m. due to the forecast. Gates will open at 6 p.m.

Rain moved through the state Thursday morning and mainly cleared out, but another round of storms is expected Thursday night.

Six Flags Gurnee getting new roller coaster

An extreme roller coaster is coming to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee next year. Wrath of Rakshasa will make its debut in 2025 in the County Fair section of the park.

Officials said the coaster will have the world’s steepest drop and most inversions of any ride. The coaster will stand at 180 feet tall and will suspend riders as they face straight down a 96-degree vertical drop.