Former Republican State Sen. Sam McCann on Tuesday was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for stealing nearly $700,000 in campaign funds and attempting to conceal his theft with false reports to state election authorities.

Federal prosecutors told a judge Tuesday that they oppose plans by defense attorneys to seek a new trial for four convicted former executives and lobbyists for the state’s largest utility after the U.S. Supreme Court blunted part of a federal bribery law last month.

The Illinois Answers Project found jail staff are restraining people in chairs in ways that often violate policies and last longer than recommended by manufacturers.

Cameras are coming to Peoria County highways this year, but they won’t be used to catch speeding drivers. Illinois State Police will be installing the license plate reading cameras with funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation, hoping to aid law enforcement in solving crimes.

If you work freelance at all in Illinois, you’ll now have more protections. A new law which went into effect July 1st looks to make sure freelancers get paid for their work.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the case of indicted ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan told a judge Monday they hope to keep his trial on track for October, despite a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court last month that could shake up the case.