On November 17, 2019 at approximately 2:35 a.m., Benton Police responded to a traffic crash at the intersection of East Main and McLeansboro Street.
Upon investigating, police arrested Caleb M. Hart, age 29, of Benton for driving under the influence.
Hart was charged and transported to the Franklin County jail for further processing.

On November 17, 2019 at approximately 7:15 p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 1200 block of North Main Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
Upon investigating, police arrested Steven H. Klingel, age 55, of Valier for unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
Klingel was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

SPRINGFIELD — A measure preventing lawmakers from receiving pay for days they did not hold office has remained in legislative limbo since its introduction in January. Its sponsor said the “simple, common sense” fix is necessary to address the General Assembly’s “culture.”

Here’s the link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign a measure to consolidate the state’s 649 suburban and downstate police and fire pension funds into two funds to maximize investment returns after the legislation passed the Senate on the final day of the fall veto session.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Two ideological heavyweights sparred Wednesday in Chicago not only about Illinois’ proposed progressive income tax change, but about whether high taxes cause people to leave.

Here’s the link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Illinois’ fiscal stability was recently ranked by U.S. News and World as the worst of all states in the nation, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to change the narrative about the state.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

A Benton man was arrested Friday after he allegedly fled police in a stolen car.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

The narrow window for farmers to get their crops out of the fields is open in Illinois and state officials are reminding operators to slow down or risk injuries.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

A 45-year-old man has been indicted on first-degree murder in the death of an Illinois state trooper.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

HARRISBURG — Despite his efforts to withdraw as counsel for a Saline County man accused of murder, Duane Verity will be Brian Burns’ defense attorney after all.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.