Tagged: US Fidelis

Quinn to announce plan to address Illinois' drought

Gov. Pat Quinn plans  a visit to a southern Illinois farm today. The Illinois Farm Bureau says that so far, it's the sixth driest year on record. The average precipitation of the first half of the year was 12.6 inches. Much of Illinois' corn and soybean crop is suffering. Farm officials say southern Illinois is experiencing the worst of it.  Quinn is expected to detail whatever government relief may be available to drought-affected growers and ranchers.

Updated at 6:15 am Wednesday with comments from U.S. attorney

For the second time in four days, the former co-owner of a once prominent marketer of auto service contracts has pleaded guilty.

Cory Atkinson of Lake St. Louis, Mo., on Monday pleaded guilty to federal charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and filing false tax returns. On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to state charges that included insurance fraud and stealing.

The former co-owner of a once prominent marketer of auto service contracts has pleaded guilty to misleading consumers, insurance fraud and stealing.

Cory Atkinson's guilty plea was announced Thursday by Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster. Sentencing is Sept. 28 and Koster's office said Atkinson could get up to four years in prison.