Man guilty of shipping firearms parts to Israel
A Palos Hills man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of illegally shipping firearm parts to Israel. Amin Betuni admitted in a plea agreement that he shipped the firearm parts to people in Israel on at least three occasions in 2022.
During a court-authorized search of Betuni’s residence, law enforcement discovered more than 1,200 rounds of ammunition, a shotgun, rifle, additional bolt carrier groups and three firearm conversion devices known as “Glock switches.” The parts were on the U.S. Commerce Control List and subject to federal export regulations.
Fire Marshal announces grants
The Office of the State Fire Marshal has announced the application period is open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. The OSFM will award $4 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.
Officials said the program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for the fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment.
Butter Cow unveiled
Illinois State Fair officials unveiled the Butter Cow Wednesday in the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Butter Cow has been an unofficial mascot of the fair since the 1920’s.
Five-hundred pounds of unsalted butter are used to sculpt the life size figure by hand. The sculpture will remain on display for the duration of the fair.
The 2024 Illinois State Fair runs Aug. 8 through 18 in Springfield.
