by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois April 14, 2026 Article Summary Just hours after their lawyers argued to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, the three-judge panel ordered the release of longtime Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain and former Commonwealth Edison CEO Anne Pramaggiore. McClain and Pramaggiore are one half of the "ComEd Four" defendants convicted in 2023 for bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The appellate judges indicated they would also g...

by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois April 15, 2026 Article Summary Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey has moved into an apartment in Chicago as he seeks to improve his outreach to voters in the state's most populous region. Bailey lived in a Michigan Avenue skyscraper during his failed 2022 campaign. He said he wants to more intentionally focus on winning votes in the Chicago area this year. Bailey also openly condemned remarks by President Donald Trump this week attacking the...

A 59-year-old Sandoval resident has been charged in Marion County Court with felony criminal trespass to a residence in the 100 block of Vine Street in Sandoval for allegedly entering a home with a person present. Gail Williams of North Main was also charged with misdemeanor battery for striking the resident in the arm and misdemeanor criminal damage to property for allegedly breaking a window at the residence. Sandoval Police arrested Williams on April 14th. A preliminary hearing in the case...

A 23-year-old Centralia man has been ordered held without bond after being charged in Marion County Court with aggravated battery and criminal sexual abuse. Zykevious Burnett of South Maple is accused of impeding the breathing of the victim while they were in a car in Foundation Park in Centralia. He later allegedly grabbed the woman's breast. The incident occurred on April 10th. Burnett was already out on pre-trial release in another case. His release was found to be a real and present ...

The Central City Village Board, during a special meeting Wednesday night, approved a payment as part of a settlement resolving a lawsuit filed by the village's former police chief. Trustees voted unanimously in favor of a $75,000 payment, which will represent Central City's portion of a settlement awarded to Nicholas Heath, who filed suit in federal court in 2022. Village officials said the remainder of the settlement will be covered by insurance. Heath was terminated from his position by the...

Three people were taken to the Marion County Jail on Wednesday on outstanding warrants. 35-year-old Jessica Peek of Melrose Drive in Centralia was arrested on an outstanding Clinton County no bond misdemeanor warrant. She was later transferred to the Clinton County Jail at Carlyle. 60-year-old Jerome Alsept of Pinfield Street in Odin was arrested by Odin Police on a Marion County no bond failure to appear major traffic warrant. 34-year-old Randi Heern of Johnson Street in Centralia was broug...

Centralia Police say both drivers were injured in a two-vehicle crash at Noleman and Lincoln Street Tuesday night. Police report the crash occurred when 68-year-old Debra Ericksen of Charlotte Street in Central City apparently ran a red light while northbound on Lincoln and struck an eastbound SUV on Noleman driven by 19-year-old Aaron Smith of East Kell in Centralia. Both drivers went to the hospital. Two passengers in the Smith vehicle, 19-year-old Courtney Jackson of Lamar Street in Mt. V...

Sandoval Police have arrested a 59-year-old Sandoval resident for home invasion and criminal damage to property. Gail Williams of North Main was taken to the Marion County Jail to await further court action. Centralia Police arrested 23-year-old Zykevious Burnett of Calumet City on aggravated battery with strangulation and criminal sexual abuse. He was also taken to the Marion County Jail. Two others were taken to the Marion County Jail on no-bond felony failure-to-appear warrants. Spencer...