Illinois Archives - The American Retiree

California Teen’s Tragic Stabbing in Illinois

CARBONDALE, IL – A family is in mourning after the tragic death of Cadence Eileen Prince, a 17-year-old who was reportedly stabbed in southern Illinois. Her boyfriend, Julian Holloway, 18, has been arrested in connection with the incident, leaving the community in shock. John Prince, Cadence’s father, is grappling with the loss of his daughter, whom he described as a sweet and trusting young woman. Cadence had moved to Illinois with her mother a few …

Justice Delayed: Charges Filed Nearly Four Years After Southern Illinois University Student’s Fatal Shooting in Gurnee

GURNEE, Ill. — Nearly four years after the tragic shooting death of a Southern Illinois University student, local authorities announced Monday that they have made an arrest in connection with the case. The victim, Daniel Lobo, was just months away from graduation when he lost his life during a road rage altercation in Gurnee. The incident, which occurred in 2021, unfolded as Lobo was a passenger in a car involved in a dispute with another …

Four students killed as car crashes into after-school center

CHATHAM, IL – The small town of Chatham, just south of Springfield, is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that left four young students dead. On a quiet Monday afternoon, 44-year-old Marianne Acres drove her car through the Why Not After School Camp, resulting in a devastating crash that claimed the lives of four children and injured six others. Among the victims was 7-year-old Alma, described by her mother as a joyful child …

Illinois Man Receives Life Sentence for Deadly 2022 Independence Day Parade Shooting in Chicago Suburb

Chicago, IL — An Illinois courtroom witnessed the closure of a harrowing chapter on Thursday as Robert Crimo III, 24, received multiple life sentences for his role in the deadly 2022 mass shooting during an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago. The tragic event resulted in seven deaths and caused injuries to over forty attendees, gripping the community in fear and sorrow. Crimo, who admitted to the charges against him earlier …

Four Killed in Devastating Illinois Plane Crash

COLES COUNTY, IL – A tragic plane crash claimed the lives of four individuals Saturday morning in central Illinois. The single-engine aircraft went down around 10:15 a.m. near the small town of Trilla, roughly an hour’s drive south of Champaign. The Cessna C-1ATG struck power lines before crashing into a field, according to local authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) arrived on the scene by Saturday evening to begin their investigation, and the National Transportation …

Illinois Man Faces Hate Crime Charges After Assault on Jewish Students at DePaul University

Chicago, IL – A 20-year-old Illinois man faces serious charges including hate crimes and aggravated battery following an assault on two Jewish students at DePaul University last November. Authorities have apprehended Adam Erkan, who is accused of targeting the students due to their advocacy for Israel on campus. According to law enforcement, the altercation occurred when Erkan, allegedly concealing his identity with a face covering, accosted the students using antisemitic language. The situation escalated when …

Horrifying Assault on Toddler Leaves Her with Skull Fracture and Brain Injury in Illinois

Aurora, IL – An Illinois man has been arrested following a devastating incident involving a 2-year-old girl who sustained severe injuries including a skull fracture and brain bleed. The event, occurring in Aurora, has prompted an investigation by local authorities into the circumstances leading up to the incident. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed due to her age and privacy concerns, was reportedly attacked on Saturday and is currently receiving medical care at a nearby …

Illinois Landlord Convicted of Murder and Hate Crime in Fatal Attack on Palestinian American Youth

Urbana, Illinois – An Illinois landlord was convicted of both murder and a hate crime in the 2023 violent attack on a Palestinian American teenager, intensifying ongoing national dialogues about racial hatred and the safety of minority communities. The decision emerged after a jury reviewed evidence that depicted not only a brutal assault but also a racially motivated one, aimed at the young boy due to his ethnic background. The convicted, whose identity and specific …

Illinois Lawmakers Stand Firm Against Violence Following Brick Attack on District Office

MT. VERNON, Ill. — In a recent act of vandalism, a brick shattered the tranquility of a southern Illinois legislative office, prompting strong condemnation from local lawmakers. Representatives of the Mt. Vernon district, where the incident occurred, express a reinforced commitment to continue their legislative duties despite the unsettling event. State Representative Dave Severin of Benton and State Senator Terri Bryant of Murphysboro, both Republicans, jointly addressed the incident that targeted their shared office. The …

Fatal Web of Deceit: Illinois Man Allegedly Orchestrates Murder-for-Hire Killing of Girlfriend’s Lover

Collinsville, Ill. — In a chilling revelation, authorities in Madison County have detailed their case against three men accused in a murder-for-hire plot that culminated in the death of a 32-year-old woman from Collinsville. The victim, identified as Portia Rowland, was allegedly the target of a $10,000 scheme orchestrated by the husband of the woman she was dating. On Saturday, officials announced the arrest of Sammy Shafer, Jr., 36, the mastermind behind the plot, alongside …