Illinois quick hits: State police trooper dies; Madigan opening statements expected
State police trooper dies
Illinois State Trooper Corey S. Thompsen has died after a two-vehicle crash in Champaign County.
Illinois State Police released a statement saying that Thompsen was involved in a two-vehicle collision Friday afternoon on East Leverett Road at County Road 1300E.
Thompsen was taken to a nearby hospital, but he died from his injuries a short time later. Thompsen was 28 years old.
Madigan opening statements expected
Opening statements may begin this afternoon in the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Jury selection was still in progress Monday morning, with two alternates needed to complete the panel. Along with co-defendant Michael McClain, Madigan is charged with 23 federal counts of corruption.
Opening statements are expected to take a total of about four hours. A judge previously denied McClain’s motion to be tried separately over concerns that Madigan’s defense team could blame McClain for a multiyear corruption and bribery scheme. The trial is projected to last eleven weeks.
NIU shooting
One person is injured after a shooting in a parking lot at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
University police say the incident happened about 12:40 a.m. Sunday. One person suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call DeKalb police or NIU police.
