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.

"God bless him. Now, once the weather breaks, we have the money to complete the monument," said Werntz.

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. 

Amtrak is set to resume passenger service across northern Illinois from Chicago to Dubuque in 2014.  Cities along the route are building new stations to handle the new Blackhawk Line. Some in Freeport see a chance to create much more than just a stop on the route.

Reverend Jesse Jackson is the next high-profile activist who plans to visit the northwest Illinois encampment known as “Bainport.” Reverend Al Sharpton spoke to the crowd of protestors based at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds in Freeport Saturday. They’ve pitched their tents across the street from Sensata Technologies, where many of them will see their last day of work two weeks from today.

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.

Two northern Illinois structures have made the Landmarks Illinois 2012 list of Ten Most Endangered Places. They are the Freeport City Hall in Freeport and the Fox River Country Day School in Elgin.

The list, now in its 18th year, calls attention to threatened historic resources in need of assistance in the form of responsible stewardship and/or creative reuse plans. The economic downturn, public deficits and a lack of available financing continue to challenge historic sites throughout Illinois.

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/