Illinois | featured news

Federal officials say the pilot of a small airplane is dead after a crash in central Illinois. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro says the single engine home-built aircraft took off from the Decatur Airport on Thursday afternoon and crashed 1.5 miles east of the airport.

A woman from Gurnee, Ill., faces charges of aggravated assault for allegedly trying to hit a police officer with a "rigid female pleasure device."

Boston's Back Bay, Oak Park, Ill., and downtown Frederick, Md., all make the list this year.

The judge who presided over Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial refused on Wednesday to throw out the conviction of the former Illinois governor on a single count of lying to investigators.

A Lynwood, Ill., police officer accused of killing one man and wounding two others in a two-state shooting spree was released from jail Tuesday evening after his alibi was verified, NBC affiliate WMAQ of Chicago reported.

A 7-year-old boy was mauled to death by four dogs at the home of a neighbor in Illinois, according to news reports.

In a second trial on corruption charges, the defense may call Washington officials like White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Sunday.

Former Illinois governor finds a novel way to supplement his legal defense fund. Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich compared himself to a superhero as he stood alongside folks dressed as Superman and Batman at the Chicago Comic Con. Blagojevich said Saturday at the show in suburban Chicago that he draws inspiration from the superheros as he faces his own battles.

Jury finds former Ill. governor guilty of lying to federal agents; judge says he intends to declare a mistrial on remaining 23 counts.

A sheriff says reality TV actress Tila Tequila complained that audience members pelted her with stones and feces during an outdoor music festival in southern Illinois.