Freeport

Freeport aldermen approved a plan to sell part of a sprawling industrial compound plagued by environmental problems. For more than a decade, city officials have been removing contaminated soil and lead paint from the Rawleigh complex, the site of a former food processing center. The Freeport Journal Standard reports city leaders agreed to businessman Pete Alber's bid of $100 to buy Building D of the complex.

The Civil War monument sits outside of the Stephenson County Courthouse. It was built the late 1860s. County officials have said there is no public money available to fix it up, so local residents started raising money. A new base was installed last fall. Ron Werntz is one of the main fundraisers behind the project. He says organizers were stuck at the halfway mark to continue restoration efforts. But recently received an anonymous donation of $40,000 from a local veteran.

Freeport residents packed a Highland Community College auditorium last night: they were there to hear from the four mayoral candidates they’ll choose from in the February 26th primary election. 

Workers at a Freeport company that’s slated to move jobs overseas got support from Governor Pat Quinn Thursday. Their also inspiring talk of a hosting a debate on outsourcing.

A Freeport man’s appeal of a child pornography conviction was denied today by the Illinois Supreme court because he took and sent cell-phone pictures of a 17-year-old girl with whom he had sexual relations in 2008.

The pictures were found by the girl’s mother, who complained to police. Hollins was ultimately charged under child pornography provisions, which set 18 as the age of consent to be photographed in such circumstances. The age of consent for sexual activity is 17.

The head of the Illinois' largest organization for lawyers says the group supports allowing cameras in courtrooms. Illinois has been one of only 14 states where cameras were limited or prohibited in trial courtrooms. The Illinois Supreme Court approved a pilot program allowing media coverage in January.  John Locallo is President of the Illinois State Bar Association.  Speaking in Freeport, he says the new policy is another step toward transparency/