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Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up today in Illinois. Questions about today's coverage plans are welcome, and should be directed to AP-Illinois News Editor Hugh Dellios at 312-781-0500 or hdellios@ap.org.
A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories, digests and digest advisories will keep you up to date.
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UPCOMING TODAY:
PREFERRING PRISON
CHICAGO — Walter Unbehaun has spent nearly all of his adult life behind bars, so it's not surprising that he faces sentencing Thursday for yet another crime, a bank robbery last year. His reason for robbing the bank is surprising, though: He was homesick for prison. Now a judge faces an unusual dilemma: Sending the 74-year-old high-school dropout to prison would be more of a reward than a punishment for him, but setting him free would risk him trying to commit another crime. By Michael Tarm. SENT: 800 words, photo. Will be updated after 2 p.m. sentencing hearing.
MEDICAL MAIRJUANA-POT OR GUNS
CHICAGO — Controversial language has been removed from proposed Illinois medical marijuana rules that would bar legal gun owners from becoming cannabis-using patients. A person close to the rule-writing process confirmed the wording has been dropped from draft regulations expected to be published this week. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity until the rules are officially published on Friday. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the change in its Thursday editions. By Carla K. Johnson. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 400 words.
OBAMA LIBRARY
CHICAGO — Illinois lawmakers hold a hearing in Chicago to discuss whether to commit $100 million from a new capital construction bill to help secure the Obama Presidential Library and Museum. The Illinois House's Executive Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss the measure that's sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan and state Rep. Monique Davis, both Chicago Democrats. The pair are hoping the seed money could boost Illinois and Chicago's chances of landing the library, which could be a huge economic boon. By Sara Burnett. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Developing from morning hearing.
ILLINOIS TREASURER-LAWSUIT
CHICAGO — Lawyers for Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford are expected to appear in court Thursday to ask a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed by a former employee. Edmund Michalowski accused Rutherford in January of sexual harassment and making him do political work while on state time. Lawyers for Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford are expected to appear in court to ask a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed by a former employee. By Michael Tarm. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 130 words, more on merits. Developing from morning hearing.
FROM AP MEMBERS:
PEORIA-TWITTER RAID
PEORIA, Ill. — Police officers trying to find out who was behind a fake Twitter account set up in the name of Peoria's mayor have raided a home, seizing computers and phones and hauling several people in to be questioned. Tuesday's raid was carried out by seven plainclothes officers, the (Peoria) Journal Star reported. Three people at the home were brought to a police station to be interviewed, as were two other people who were met by police at their workplaces. The Twitter account, which has since been shut down, was set up in late February or early March under the handle @Peoriamayor. It included a photo of Mayor Jim Ardis, his city email address and a bio saying he enjoyed serving the city and several tweets referenced sex and drugs. SENT: 300 words.
EXCHANGE-BOODY SAWMILL
BOODY, Ill. — Tom Curry never had a problem seeing the wood for the trees. The former UPS driver with a passion for raw lumber drove around all day nurturing a dream of starting his own sawmill business. In 2006, he pulled a hard right in pursuit of his goal and started the Curry Sawmill, just off busy Illinois 48 in the very unbusy burg of Boody. A man who could read a book or watch a video and learn to do pretty much anything, Curry instructed himself on how to run a sawmill. He built a 4,000 board-foot capacity (lumber-speak for pretty huge) drying kiln with the help of his brother-in-law, Chuck Levandoski. He added a suitably massive bandsaw, along with planers and joiners, which would handle a cascade of raw material flowing in from The Mill Tree Service, another business sideline. By Tony Reid. (Decatur) Herald & Review. SENT: 790 words, photos.
IN BRIEF:
— UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-PRESIDENT: University of Illinois trustees will hold a special meeting Friday to name the 19 members of the search committee that will look for a new president. SENT: 130 words.
— ILLINOIS-SOIL MOISTURE: Illinois officials say the level of soil moisture is high across Illinois. SENT: 130 words.
— ILLINOIS-UNCLAIMED PROPERTY: Illinois state Treasurer Dan Rutherford says his office has returned nearly $30 million in previously unclaimed property to 15,000 owners in the first three months of 2014. SENT: 130 words.
— HEROIN DEATH-CHARGES: A southwestern Illinois man is accused of homicide in connection with a woman's deadly heroin overdose in January. SENT: 130 words.
— DECATUR MURDER-CONVICTION: A central Illinois man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the shooting death of a teenager in Decatur. SENT: 130 words.
— WEST FRANKFORT-WIFE KILLED: A southern Illinois man accused of fatally shooting his wife in the back of the head has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder. SENT: 130 words.
— CHICAGO VIOLENCE: Chicago police are investigating after a 14-year-old was shot multiple times on the city's far South Side. SENT: 130 words.
— COOK COUNTY-BRIBES: Two former Cook County Board of Review analysts convicted of federal conspiracy, bribery and fraud charges have been sentenced to prison. SENT: 130 words.
— ILLINOIS TOLLWAY-WETLANDS: The Illinois Tollway has agreed to contribute $2 million toward the restoration of a more than half-mile section of creek running through the St. James Farm Forest Preserve. SENT: 130 words.
— LINCOLN-POETRY MONTH: Illinois' Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is planning a presentation about poetry in Abraham Lincoln's life. SENT: 130 words.
SPORTS:
HKN--BLACKHAWKS-BLUES
ST. LOUIS — The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks begin their bid for a repeat title on the road. The St. Louis Blues appear vulnerable after losing six in a row to end the regular season, but hope to have several injured mainstays back in the lineup. By R.B. Fallstrom. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 7 p.m. CT.
BBO--RED SOX-WHITE SOX
CHICAGO — Jon Lester goes against Chris Sale as the Boston Red Sox wrap up their series against the White Sox in Chicago. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos. Game starts at 7:10 p.m. CT. With hometown lead on losing team.
ALSO:
— BBN-WRIGLEY CELEBRATION: Chicago baseball and football greats who played at Wrigley Field and a ceremonial pitch using a 100-year-old baseball will be part of the park's 100th-year birthday party.
— AURORA-NCAA CHAMPION: The city of Aurora plans a ceremony to honor University of Connecticut champion basketball player Ryan Boatright.
MARKETPLACE: Calling your attention to the Marketplace in AP Exchange, where you can find member-contributed content from Illinois and other states. The Marketplace is accessible on the left navigational pane of the AP Exchange home page, near the bottom. For both national and state, you can click "All" or search for content by topics such as education, politics and business.
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