Chicago area

• Witness sheds light on pension deal linking Blago insiders, Chicago Tribune
• Plea deal ends teen's trial in killing of Buffalo Grove High student in 2006, Daily Herald
• $75,000 bail for gang member accused of trying to intimidate jurors, Chicago Tribune

Southern Illinois

• Former ESL liquor commissioner pleads guilty to extortion, lying to FBI, IRS, Belleville News-Democrat

Nation

• Law firm secretary who stole $625K says partners were like family, gets 4 to 13 years, ABA Journal