East Central Reporter

Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke has commenced his two-year prison sentence for racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion. Burke is serving his term at a low-security section of the federal correctional center in Thomson, Illinois. This marks the end of a legal process that began nearly six years ago when the FBI raided his Chicago offices in November 2018. Despite being charged with multiple federal criminal counts in January 2019, the trial did not start until late 2023. After being convicted on 13 out of 14 counts in December 2023, Burke was sentenced to two years of confinement and fined $2 million in June 2024.

In other news, Illinois's fall trout season will begin with catch-and-release fishing from October 5 through October 18 at selected sites. The full season starts on October 19 with a five-trout limit. Anglers must have an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fishing license and a $6.50 trout stamp to participate.

The IDNR has also announced an increase in bobcat hunting permits from 1,000 to 2,000 due to the successful recovery of the bobcat population in Illinois. The application deadline for these permits was September 30.