Bank robber sentenced
A Villa Park man has been sentenced to more than 7.5 years in federal prison for robbing four banks and a credit union.
Prosecutors say Charles Lawler robbed financial institutions in Naperville and four nearby communities in 2021 and 2022.
Sentencing is still pending for Lawler’s convicted accomplice, Tarandle Lee of Bolingbrook.
LGBTQIA+ hotline continues
The Illinois Department of Human Services announced Thursday that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Illinois will continue to provide state taxpayer-funded mental health support services for LGBTQIA+ youth, after the federal government ended funding last month for specific support on the 988 Lifeline.
IDHS said the 988 Lifeline launched in 2022 and developed a subnetwork of counselors trained to work with LGBTQ+ youth and adults under 25, who are disproportionately at risk for suicide and other mental health struggles.
Tillman to announced U.S. Senate bid
A Republican has joined the race to replace Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.
Jimmy Lee Tillman II is the founder and president of the Martin Luther King Republicans.
Tillman plans to officially announce his candidacy in Erie, Illinois, on Monday morning.
