Large storm brings twisters, floods, now snow and ice
By DAVID WARREN and REESE DUNKLIN Residents surveyed the destruction from deadly tornadoes in North Texas as the same storm system brought winter woes to the Midwest on Monday, amplifying…
Illinois
Justice Department to investigate Chicago police
By DON BABWIN and ERIC TUCKER The U.S. Justice Department is expected to start investigating the patterns and practices of the Chicago Police Department this week in the wake of…
Authorities: Illinois officer ‘staged suicide,’ after crimes
By DON BABWIN A northern Illinois police officer whose fatal shooting triggered a large manhunt carefully staged his death to make it look like he was killed in the line…
Former House Speaker Hastert pleads guilty to lying to FBI
Dennis Hastert pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to the FBI in a hush-money scheme, agreeing to a deal with federal prosecutors that recommends he serve no more than six months…
Hastert attorney says former speaker intends to plead guilty
By MICHAEL TARM An attorney for Dennis Hastert told a federal judge Thursday that the former House speaker intends to plead guilty in a federal hush-money case. John Gallo said…
Hunt for 3 suspects in Illinois officer’s death continues
Law enforcement officials broadened the hunt Wednesday for three suspects in the fatal shooting of a popular veteran police officer in a small northern Illinois community. Lake County Sheriff’s Office…
Backpage ad site: Aider of traffickers, or way to stop them?
By MARTHA IRVINE Is the huge classified ad site an abettor of sexual trafficking and exploitation, or a beacon of free expression? Does it generate crime, or help solve it?…
State workers’ suit against Duckworth spills into Senate bid
By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER A civil lawsuit alleging ethics violations nearly a decade ago has become an issue in a Democratic congresswoman’s bid to unseat first-term Republican U.S. Sen. Mark…