Reporting from The Villagers’ Voice and Illinois Leaks. Explore the stories below and follow the links to read the full reports at their original publications.
Illinois Leaks carries the Illinois Attorney General’s announcement of charges against 11 current or former Ford Heights officials and employees. Prosecutors allege municipal funds paid for personal travel and casino-related spending; the charges remain allegations.
Illinois Leaks examines employee incentive loans reported by McDonough District Hospital and questions efforts to recover delinquent balances. The article describes its requests for loan agreements, recipient information, and other financial records.
Keith Freeman’s federal sentencing remained deferred as prosecutors anticipated additional cooperation, Illinois Leaks reports. The article reviews a joint status filing and the request for another six-month reporting interval.
Illinois Leaks reports another delay in Lewis Lacey’s sentencing while his cooperation with federal investigators continues. Its account reviews the parties’ status report and the timetable for a further update.
Illinois Leaks argues against excluding journalists and sealing public court records. The commentary draws on disputes over press access and cases in which the Watchdogs sought to make records available.
The Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor found Country Club Hills School District 160’s records search inadequate, Illinois Leaks reports. The dispute concerns documents about the disposal of district-owned vehicles.
An Illinois election-board complaint against Madison County board chairman Chris Slusser is proceeding toward a public hearing, Illinois Leaks reports. The article reviews the denial of reconsideration and allegations about political-action-committee donations.
Illinois Leaks examines a Kankakee school board member’s superintendent votes and the district’s later payment of her filing-related fine. The article questions the sequence of decisions and the use of taxpayer funds.
Illinois Leaks preview: “According to the Hospital District Law, the district board…”
Illinois Leaks preview: “Any such “person” who fails to file (an SEI) by May 15 shall be…”
Illinois Leaks preview: “The Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (“PAC”) has issued a determination affirming what we…”
Illinois Leaks preview: ““ Mattoon CUSD #2 is aware of a…”