Afternoon News Update: April 23

A Beloit baby has been found dead. It happened early this morning in the 1500 block of St. Lawrence. Investigators say the 16-year-old mother had fallen asleep on the couch with her baby. After waking up, she noticed her child was not breathing and called 9-1-1. The incident is under investigation.
A Rockford man has received 20-years in prison for murder. Officials say that 26-year-old Thomas Stuen has pled guilty to the murder of Eric Johnson. Stuen along with Cory Richardson shot and killed Johnson back in December 2010 at his home during a robbery attempt. Richardson pled guilty back in October 2013 and is currently serving a 32-year sentence.
A teenager has been sentenced to five years of probation for starting a fire last summer that destroyed much of downtown Prophetstown. The 17-year-old was sentenced Tuesday in Sterling after he plead guilty to arson charges. The fire destroyed eight historic buildings, damaged two others and left about half a dozen people homeless. It caused up to $3 million in damages.
The Rockford School District has finalized the last step for the East field house. The school board voted on Tuesday to hire Vissering Construction Company to build the 63,000 square foot addition for the E-rabs. The current library will be demolished and renovations will be made to the courtyard plaza as well. Students will be able to participate in putting the field house together through the Workforce Development Program.
Former ISU President Timothy Flanagan has pled not guilty to a misdemeanor. The charge stems from an alleged altercation between Flanagan and a grounds crew worker outside of the university-owned presidents’ resident back in December. The ex-president has acknowledged yelling at the employee but denies he spat on or made contact with the man. Flanagan resigned last month, days before the charge was filed.
House Speaker Michael Madigan has been chosen almost unanimously to serve a fifth term as chairman for the Illinois Democratic Party. Senator Michael Noland was the only one to vote against Madigan’s appointment, but declined to say why. Since 1983, Madigan only missed two years serving as House Speaker.
Governor Pat Quinn has designated today as Wrigley Field Day in Illinois. This comes as the Chicago Cubs celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the storied ballpark that opened as Weeghman Park on April 23, 1914. The team is holding a series of events this season, including today, to mark the anniversary.
Illinois farms have reported at least 360 cases of a deadly virus blamed for killing millions of pigs across the U.S. in the last year. The disease isn't a danger to humans but is blamed for driving up pork prices. There's little information on how it spreads.

Filed Under: Beloit, Rockford

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