Illinois quick hits: Mine manager pleads guilty; Johnson issues food executive order

Illinois quick hits: Mine manager pleads guilty; Johnson issues food executive order

August 29, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Mine manager pleads guilty

A former Franklin County mine manager has pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration in relation to an underground fire in August 2021.

Prosecutors say Timothy Brandon Parsons, 38, of Louisa, Kentucky, and co-conspirators agreed not to evacuate miners over the course of three shifts or notify MSHA, even though gas detectors alarmed for the presence of more than 10 parts per million of carbon monoxide. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18.

Johnson issues food executive order

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order establishing nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold or served on city-owned property.

The order aims to ensure that low fat, low sugar, culturally-appropriate food options are available in city facilities.

Johnson said all city agencies will be subject to mandatory purchasing guidelines for any food sold or served on city property.

Bluegrass music at Lincoln’s New Salem

The Traditional Music Festival and Bluegrass Concerts are coming to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County.

The annual event takes place Sept. 5 through Sept. 7.

Performers from all over the Midwest play music with instruments like mountain and hammer dulcimers, autoharps, fiddles, banjos and more.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: Mayors to visit capitol urge protection of local funding

Illinois Quick Hits: Mayors to visit capitol urge protection of local funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reverse his proposed budget cut to local...
Despite tax revolt, Lower Merion keeps administrator pay high

Despite tax revolt, Lower Merion keeps administrator pay high

By Mark StricherzThe Center Square Despite a $27 million settlement with taxpayers in 2022, Lower Merion School District continues to pay top-tier salaries to administrators.Assistant high school principals in the...
Supreme Court allows Louisiana to immediately move on drawing new map

Supreme Court allows Louisiana to immediately move on drawing new map

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square Louisiana lawmakers can immediately begin drawing a new congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday night put into effect its ruling striking down...
After Fifth Circuit ruling on TX border security law, ACLU sues to stop it from going into effect

After Fifth Circuit ruling on TX border security law, ACLU sues to stop it from going into effect

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Roughly one week after the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals handed Texas a win on its border security law, SB 4, the law is...
Colorado legislators back psychedelic drug research

Colorado legislators back psychedelic drug research

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Psychedelic drugs are experiencing an unprecedented wave of support across the U.S. for their potential therapeutic benefits. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to research...
Trump tells small business owners tariffs 'aren't high enough'

Trump tells small business owners tariffs ‘aren’t high enough’

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump told a group of small business owners Monday that tariffs should be higher, even as polling is mixed on the issue. "You...
Pennsylvania has the most Democrats in ‘Red to Blue’ campaign

Pennsylvania has the most Democrats in ‘Red to Blue’ campaign

By John ColeThe Center Square As Democrats ramp up their efforts to flip the U.S. House in November, four candidates from the Keystone State have been named to a program...
Trump hosts small business owners at White House, touting business-friendly policies

Trump hosts small business owners at White House, touting business-friendly policies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump enumerated a number of policies he said have created a favorable environment for small business growth while speaking to small business owners...
DeSantis signs new congressional map into law

DeSantis signs new congressional map into law

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed his redrawn congressional map into law. The Legislature gave passage last week. “Signed, sealed and delivered,” DeSantis...
South Carolinian facing charges for threatening Trump will stay jailed

South Carolinian facing charges for threatening Trump will stay jailed

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Army veteran Daniel Swain spoke only briefly in response to a federal magistrate judge on Monday and will have a detention hearing on Thursday. Swain,...
Iran testing fragile ceasefire, fires on Navy, commercial ships

Iran testing fragile ceasefire, fires on Navy, commercial ships

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Iran is testing the ceasefire as it fires at U.S. naval and commercial vessels within hours of the implementation of “Project Freedom.” U.S. Central Command...
Small businesses expected to feel pinch as diesel hits $6 a gallon

Small businesses expected to feel pinch as diesel hits $6 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois trucking industry leader says consumers and small businesses can expect to feel the pinch as...
GOP senators renew calls to nuke filibuster after voter ID bill languishes

GOP senators renew calls to nuke filibuster after voter ID bill languishes

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With Congress juggling government funding, the farm bill, government surveillance reauthorization and more, a Republican election security bill has taken a backseat, much to the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Four charged in alleged pharmacy burglary conspiracy

Illinois Quick Hits: Four charged in alleged pharmacy burglary conspiracy

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four people from California are charged in connection with a conspiracy to burglarize pharmacies and distribute controlled...
LA City Council member seeks to allow noncitizens to vote

LA City Council member seeks to allow noncitizens to vote

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A Los Angeles City Council member has proposed allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Speaking on Friday at a Rules Committee meeting, Councilmember Hugo...