Illinois

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- A former city bookkeeper was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison Thursday for embezzling more than $53 million from her Illinois community, in what ranks as one of the worst abuses of public trust in the state's corruption-rich history. Rita Crundwell, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud ...

If you've recently lost your job in Illinois, you may be eligible for Illinois Unemployment Insurance benefits. This is a guide to filing your claim for Illinois unemployment benefits. Since each situation may have its own unique circumstances, make sure you check with the contact numbers and websites listed ...

DIXON, Ill. -- The former financial officer for the small northern Illinois city of Dixon stole millions of dollars more than originally thought, federal prosecutors said Tuesday as they announced plans to try to seize Rita Crundwell's trucks, boats, horses and even theunborn foals she owns. A federal grand ...

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) -- Union workers have rejected Caterpillar Inc.'s latest contract offer and walked off the job at Caterpillar's plant in Joliet. Workers with picket signs lined up outside the plant early Tuesday. The contract expired at midnight for about 800 workers at the manufacturing plant. ...

As a champion horse breeder, Rita Crundwell was a familiar face in Dixon, Ill., a sleepy town of 15,000 where Crundwell also worked, managing the town's finances for about 30 years. But on Tuesday, federal authorities arrested the 58-year-old civil servant, accusing her of stealing $30 million in taxpayer ...

By Caryn Rousseau CHICAGO -- Serious Energy Inc. said Thursday it will close a Chicago window factory that became a symbol of the plight of American workers more than three years ago when employees briefly occupied the building. ...

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) -- A records clerk for an Illinois sheriff's office admits she goofed when she mistakenly faxed a request to have a deputy's son's speeding ticket fixed to the local newspaper. Joann Reed tried to use a St. Clair County Sheriff's Department fax machine to send a copy of the ticket issued ...

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) -- Unemployment rates rose in July in more than half the states for the second straight month, evidence that job growth remains weak nationwide. The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment increased in 28 states, fell in nine and remained unchanged in 13. ...

First Sears sold its famous Chicago tower, now the iconic retailer and former catalog heavyweight is weighing a move out of Illinois -- lock, stock and barrel. The Associated Press reports that Sears Holdings, which includes both Sears and Kmart operations, says the company is considering taking its business ...