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

State legislative investigation: Camp Mystic created 'complacent flood culture'

State legislative investigation: Camp Mystic created ‘complacent flood culture’

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The first findings of a state legislative investigation into the deaths that occurred at Camp Mystic, in Hunt, Texas, last July, were presented in a...
Illinois Senate to consider megaprojects after Pritzker calls out amusement tax

Illinois Senate to consider megaprojects after Pritzker calls out amusement tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposed stadium for the Chicago Bears and other megaprojects are expected to be up for discussion...
EXCLUSIVE: SPLC called on to remove parental rights groups from its ‘hate map’

EXCLUSIVE: SPLC called on to remove parental rights groups from its ‘hate map’

By Tate MillerThe Center Square An Illinois-based parental rights group sent an open letter to the Southern Poverty Law Center requesting that it remove parental rights organizations from its “hate...
Illinois Quick Hits: Driver killed in reported shootout with police on I-88

Illinois Quick Hits: Driver killed in reported shootout with police on I-88

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A man is dead after a reported exchange of gunfire with police on Interstate 88 in DeKalb...
Kankakee Area Career Center

Beecher to Fund $32,000 for Kankakee Area Career Center Roof Amid Severe CTE Teacher Shortages

Beecher Board of Education Meeting | April 15, 2026 Article Summary: Beecher School District 200U will contribute approximately $32,000 toward a $1 million roofing project at the Kankakee Area Career Center...
Joseph House

Historic Joseph Perry House in Crete Granted Landmark Status

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board officially designated the Joseph Ferris Perry House in Crete Township as a historical landmark, protecting the...
U.S. House to vote on five-year Farm Bill this week

U.S. House to vote on five-year Farm Bill this week

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The House Rules Committee debated long into Monday night to prepare the five-year farm bill for a floor vote this week. Lawmakers have filed over...
Constitutional tests await IL Dems’ race-based district plan

Constitutional tests await IL Dems’ race-based district plan

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Later this fall, Illinois voters appear likely to get the chance to vote on a plan to rewrite the state constitution to...
State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges

State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Colorado House on Monday approved a bill allowing for the access of abortion medication on college campuses. House Bill 1335 is sponsored by Reps....
Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients

Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumer protection organization Consumers’ Research launched a campaign to warn Congress about nonprofit hospitals that prioritize "woke" politics such as diversity, equity and inclusion, transgender...
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction

Illinois quick hits: Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...
Pritzker pushes housing plan described as 'all stick,' no carrot

Pritzker pushes housing plan described as ‘all stick,’ no carrot

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pushing to prevent local communities from restricting housing development, but local leaders say...
Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is 'one step' in the process

Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is ‘one step’ in the process

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square *The Center Square) – The federal government has moved to partially block an Illinois law banning electronic processing fees on the...
Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole

Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State transportation officials say repairs are underway after a large hole developed on an Interstate 64...
Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge

Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Convicted felony suspected of shooting two officers One Chicago police officer is dead and another was critically injured after a man...