Illinois quick hits: Group criticizes elections board vote; charges filed in Clark County crash

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Group criticizes elections board vote

A government integrity and accountability group says Democratic members of the Illinois State Board of Elections rescued state Senate President Don Harmon from having to pay a nearly $10 million penalty for alleged campaign finance violations.

Last week, the board deadlocked along partisan lines on whether to grant Harmon’s appeal.

The fine had been recommended by ISBE staff and upheld by an independent hearing officer.

Reform for Illinois said Harmon ignored warnings from elections board staff and continued to take in donations above what they said was the legal limit.

Charges filed in Clark County crash

A driver has been charged in connection with a crash that killed a Charleston couple and injured two other people in Clark County Friday evening.

Edwin O. Pacheco-Meza, 34, of Indianapolis is charged with aggravated DUI and reckless homicide in connection with the head-on collision that killed Coles County Board member Mike Clayton and his wife Gail Clayton.

State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, posted statements on social media saying the driver who hit Clayton and his wife was in the U.S. illegally.

Rockford factory to reopen with tax incentives

A Rockford factory is slated to reopen with help from Illinois tax incentives.

Rockford Brake Manufacturing announced plans to reopen a brake component factory that closed last February.

As part of the state’s incentive package, the company received a tax credit for startups and committed to creating 150 full-time jobs.