Convict Suing Joliet Paper Says Wrong Photo Ran With Sex Abuse Story

A woman locked up at Decatur Correctional Center is suing the Joliet Herald-News for allegedly running her picture along with a story about another woman sexually abusing children.

Attilah Shaw is doing time in Downstate Decatur Correctional Center—but not for the crime she read about in a Joliet Herald-News story that allegedly included her photograph above the name of the culprit. Shaw, 40, filed a lawsuit against the Herald-News claiming the newspaper libeled and defamed her when they ran her picture with a story about a woman charged with molesting children. That woman, Marlena Hammond, also 40, was convicted of the aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member. She is pulling a six-year prison sentence at Logan Correctional Center in Downstate Lincoln. Shaw is locked up not far from Hammond at Decatur Correctional Center. She's in for aggravated driving under the influence and driving with a revoked or …

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Harper: Transition to Common Core Standards Starts Next Fall

District 202 Superintendent John Harper's last column of the school year.

This time of year is filled with important transitions for students -- from grade to grade, level to level and from high school to college, the workplace, the military or some other life path.  Next fall, District 202 itself also faces one of the most important changes in the history of public education when the national Common Core Learning Standards will start to replace the state learning standards. The Common Core Standards for Math will be implemented in District 202 next school year. Common Core Learning Standards for Language Arts will follow in 2014-15.  We have talked a lot this year about the change to Common Core Standards. This shift will significantly impact our students, school district and community. It is very important …

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Thanas Confirms Plans to Quit City Manager Job After Council Criticism

Although the Joliet City Council has not received a letter of resignation, Thanas told WJOL today that he would stay until his successor was ready to take over.

Joliet City Manager Tom Thanas confirmed today he will resign his position once his successor is chosen, although he apparently has not yet submitted a written resignation to city council members. Thanas reportedly announced his intent to quit during a heated closed session Tuesday over his perceived failure to disclose negative information about the Electric Daisy Carnival, but council members said Wednesday they did not know if he was serious. He definitely was, Thanas told WJOL (1340 AM) this morning. He said he told the council Tuesday night they needed to put together a transition plan so he could assist the new city manager in taking over the job, according to a story on the radio station's Web site. However, unlike his announcement …

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Roxann

3:03 pm on Friday, May 24, 2013

Hey Mr. Hernandez maybe you should run for Thanas's position you seem to know it all   more ›

Harrah's Celebrates 20 Years with Charity Donations

The company will distribute $1,000 donations to charities in an event to be held Sunday at the downtown Joliet casino.

In recognition of its 20th anniversary in Joliet, Harrah's Casino is awarding $1,000 donations to 20 charities in Will County. The presentation will be made at noon Sunday under the casino hotel's porte cochere at 151 N. Joliet St. Recipients are: “We are committed to sharing our financial success with our community by donating a portion of company profits to charitable causes,” said Darren VanDover, senior vice president and general manager. “We also value the diversity and vitality of our community which in turn fuels our dedication to local organizations.” In addition, Harrah’s employees have volunteered more than 9,000 hours in the community, and recently, the property was honored with the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce’s Salute to …

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Felon Busted for Robbing Elderly Woman: Police

James Miles was arrested just one day after he allegedly burglarized the woman's house and then stole her purse when she returned home, sheriff's police say.

Fingerprints and other evidence left at the scene led Will County Sheriff's Office investigators to the man believed to have robbed and burglarized an elderly Joliet-area woman earlier this week. James D. Miles, 25, 1001 Nowell, Joliet, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, just a day after he allegedly broke into a home in the 1800 block of Brandon Road and then stole the homeowner's purse when she returned to her house as he was leaving, Deputy Chief Ken Kaupas said. A fingerprint expert at the sheriff's office helped analyze prints left behind at the scene, which ended up belonging to Miles, who is on parole from a 2009 residential burglary. Miles implicated himself in the crime when interviewed by investigators, Kaupas said. Initially, the…

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New Homes for Sale This Week in Joliet

Find homes for sale in Joliet on this page every week, from our partners at Zillow.

Blotter: Felony Theft, Battery, Drug Charges

Arrests made by the Joliet Police Department, Will County jail and other law enforcement agencies.

Tiaira M. Mitchell, 27, 125 Davison, Joliet, arrested by the Will County Sheriff's Office and booked into the Will County jail on May 22 on charges of driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and head/tail/sidelight. Andrea Mendoza, 22, 1206 Oregon, Joliet, arrested by the Joliet Police Department and booked into the Will County jail on May 21 on a charge of felony theft. Valerie Serrano, 37, 819 Kelly, Joliet, arrested by the Joliet Police Department and booked into the Will County jail on May 22 on a charge of retail theft. Shawen P. Borre, 22, 2816 Sun Valley, Plainfield, arrested by the Joliet Police Department and booked into the Will County jail on May 23 on charges of manufacture/delivery of 30 to 500 …

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The Sports Report

Kremer: JCA Finally Ready to Make Some Baseball Noise

Joliet Catholic Academy has been up-and-down for much of the baseball season, much like the weather, but has hit its stride as of late because of timely pitching and improved defense.

Earlier this spring cold, wet weather made it difficult to grip a bat, say nothing of hitting a fastball. Joliet Catholic Academy’s baseball team scuffled. The Hilltoppers’ offense was inconsistent and their schedule was daunting. For every big win their was an equally gut-wrenching loss and not always the one that stared back at the Hill on the scoreboard. JCA lost a string of players to illness and injury. Matt Testa (elbow), Ryan Bannon (wrist), Zach Jackovich (mono), Brock Pluth (knee injury), Nick Dalesandro (wrist), and Cal Placher (arm) all were sidelined for extended stretches, some for the season. Joliet Catholic Academy coach Jared Voss could have made excuses for the Hilltoppers, who climbed to 19-14 with a 5-1 victory over Oak …

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