More fallout after Biden commutation
Backlash continues to grow after President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell, who stole millions from the community to supplement her lavish lifestyle.
Crundwell was convicted more than a decade ago of embezzling $54 million in the largest municipal embezzlement case in U.S. history. Originally sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison, she was released to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
The Dixon city manager says the pardon is a “travesty of justice.”
Flash Index drops
The University of Illinois Flash Index for November fell to 102 from its reading in October of 102.2. The index is the weighted average of the state’s growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending, and personal income as estimated from receipts for corporate income, individual income and retail sales taxes.
Corporate tax recipes were down significantly in November. Both the state and national unemployment rates remained unchanged last month with the Illinois rate 1.2 percentage points higher.
Holiday fire safety
The Illinois State Fire Marshall said it is providing the secret recipe for a fun and safe holiday season; fire safety.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. More than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source.
Officials said the top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and New Year’s Eve.