Illinois state employees approve 4-year deal with raises

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A union representing thousands of Illinois state workers says its members have approved a four-year contract that offers lump-sum payments and a series of raises. AFSCME Council 31 says workers will get $625

Tickets on sale Monday for DuQuoin State Fair Grandstand

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Tickets go on sale Monday for Grandstand acts at this year’s DuQuoin State Fair. Fair officials announced this week that classic country artist Wynonna Judd and the Big Noise will play Tuesday. Shenandoah

Report: Former housing official hasn’t paid

CAIRO, Ill. (AP) — A published report says the former director of a southern Illinois housing authority ordered to pay a $500,000 fine for mismanaging public housing funds and program fraud hasn’t made a single payment after

Closing arguments set for missing Chinese scholar case

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Closing arguments are set for the federal death penalty trial of a former University of Illinois doctoral student charged with kidnapping and killing a 26-year-old visiting scholar from China. Monday’s closings follow a