A new report has raised questions about $16 million in spending by local governments at a time when pension payments are eating up resources for other services at the local level.

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

Eight people have been arrested and $50,000 and more than 17 pounds of meth have been seized by authorities in a drug bust that spanned the tristate area.

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

EAST ST. LOUIS — At disparate parts of the district, candidates for Illinois’ 12th District got glowing endorsements to try to further mobilize their base in a tight race.

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

Add Illinois to the list of states battling a polio-like condition.

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

Billionaire Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker has portrayed himself as a champion of working families and received substantial support from organized labor, but he used nonunion workers to remodel his Gold Coast mansion

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

MOUND CITY — Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Carlo Montemagno will be laid to rest with full military honors at Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, Illinois, at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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

Sears Holdings Corp., parent of the Sears and Kmart retail chains, has filed for bankruptcy protection — a last-ditch effort to save an American icon that shaped shopping habits for more than a century

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

The largest state employee’s union is demanding state employees get paid raises from the past three years despite questions about the union’s contract.

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

Races up and down the state will determine who will be in the Illinois statehouse and could shape how the state addresses its massive pension debt.

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

On October 10, 2018 at approximately 12:50 p.m. Benton Police responded to the Public Square in reference to a hit and run.

Upon investigating, police arrested Nicholas J. Johnson, age 38, of Herrin for driving under the influence.  Johnson was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On October 10, 2018 at approximately 12 p.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North Main and Martin Street.  Upon investigating, police arrested Stacy K. Manning, age 33, of Benton for driving while license suspended.  Manning was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On October 12, 2018 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of West Washington Street in reference to a suspicious person.  Upon investigating, police arrested  Joshua W. Bryant, age 27, of Sesser for unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unlawful delivery of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia subsequent to a vehicle search after  Benton Police K9 “Ranger” alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle .  Police also arrested Joshua C. Sims, age 26 ,of Benton on an active Williamson County warrant for failure to appear.  Both Bryant and Sims were transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.