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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Homan threatens crackdown if New York limits ICE cooperation

Homan threatens crackdown if New York limits ICE cooperation

By Chris WadeThe Center Square President Donald Trump's immigration czar Tom Holman is renewing threats to "flood the zone" in New York if state lawmakers approve Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan...
Feds sue Colorado over ban on certain firearm magazines

Feds sue Colorado over ban on certain firearm magazines

By Derek DraplinThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Colorado for its ban on firearm magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. The...
Group calls for clear lines of authority after UVA member’s communications released

Group calls for clear lines of authority after UVA member’s communications released

By Tate MillerThe Center Square An education defense group is calling for clear lines of authority to be codified after text messages between a University of Virginia faculty member and...
States pushing back on data center sales tax breaks as Wisconsin forgoes $1.5B

States pushing back on data center sales tax breaks as Wisconsin forgoes $1.5B

By Jon StyfThe Center Square While those supporting sales tax breaks for data center projects say they believe the breaks are necessary to compete for projects amongst the 38 states...
Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Midwestern states, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan in particular, were hit harder in the past week by...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago police sergeant has been charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $41,000 in small business loans...
Democrats hold Michigan Senate majority with special election win in District 35

Democrats hold Michigan Senate majority with special election win in District 35

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Democrat Chedrick Greene won the special election in Michigan’s 35th Senate District by a wide margin Tuesday night, preserving Democrats’ narrow majority in the chamber....
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beecher Library Board Updates Borrowing Policy, Approves New Audio Equipment for Programs

Beecher Public Library District Meeting | March 17, 2026 Borrowing Rules Expanded: The Beecher Public Library District has broadened its borrowing policy to accept additional forms of identification and approved...
Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A panel of federal appeals court judges continues to agree that a Chicago federal judge overstepped his authority in ordering the en...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
'Project Freedom' paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

‘Project Freedom’ paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a day after its implementation, “Project Freedom,” a U.S. operation to safely escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, has been put...
Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Legislation to reduce credit card fees on purchases is a step closer to final passage in Colorado with proponents saying it will help small businesses...