Kane County Reporter

Federal prosecutors have accused former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza of bribing House Speaker Michael Madigan to secure support for a bill ending mandated landline service. During the trial's opening statements, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mower described the case as involving "a corporate executive paying off the most powerful politician in Illinois."

The trial is part of a broader federal investigation into Madigan and his political operations, which contributed to ending his tenure as leader of both the House and the state Democratic Party. Prosecutors highlighted Madigan's extensive influence, with Mower noting that La Schiazza referred to him as “King Madigan” in emails.

In early 2017, when Madigan’s associate Michael McClain requested funds for former state Rep. Edward Acevedo, La Schiazza quickly agreed. An email from La Schiazza showed his eagerness: “Lets move quickly to get this done.”

In other news, the University of Illinois reported record enrollment numbers for the fall 2024 term, with 97,772 students across its campuses in Chicago, Springfield, and Urbana-Champaign. This marks a 3.2% increase from 2023. The Urbana-Champaign campus enrolled a record 9,008 freshmen, with over two-thirds hailing from Illinois.

Meanwhile, Big Lots has filed for bankruptcy, affecting its 29 stores in Illinois. Nine stores are scheduled to close immediately, potentially resulting in approximately 180 job losses statewide.

Illinois manufacturers face significant challenges due to cumulative financial pressures known as "stacked costs." These include regulatory requirements and high operational expenses that hinder growth and innovation. State Reps. Martin McLaughlin and Tom Weber recently visited HM Manufacturing in Wauconda to observe these impacts firsthand.

The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has collaborated with the Peoria Riverfront Museum on a new display featuring duck decoys crafted by tribe members. Chief Craig Harper emphasized the cultural significance of this collaboration during a dedication ceremony.

Illinois apple orchards are offering family-friendly activities such as apple picking and hayrides this fall season. The state ranks among the top 25 apple-producing states in the country.

State Representative Dan Ugaste invites volunteers to join a Fox River cleanup event on September 21 at Ferson Creek Park and encourages blood donations at an upcoming drive on October 2 at Persinger Rec Center in Geneva.