Macoupin County

Kurt Geschwend, a close friend of Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval, holds a homemade sign outside of Ayuzo Sandoval's restaurant in Staunton, Ill., Sunday. ICE took Ayuzo Sandoval into custody Wednesday, prompting a rally in his support.

Staunton restaurant owner’s detention sparks probe into Duckworth's staffer

Beth Hundsdorfer

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office Wednesday, alleging that one of her staffers misrepresented himself as an attorney in an attempt to free Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval.

A crowd gathered in Staunton, IL Sunday to show support for local business owner Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval. Friends and community members say Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Sandoval after he dropped his kids at school on Wednesday.

Race, Identity & Faith

Hundreds gather in Metro East to support business owner detained by ICE

Kate Grumke

A small Illinois city is rallying for a prominent community member who is currently in ICE detention in Missouri. He was taken into custody after dropping his daughters off at school last week.

The Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville, Illinois.

Law & Order

Illinois funeral director accused of mishandled human remains faces forgery allegation

Beth Hundsdorfer

A Macoupin County judge approved the appointment of a special prosecutor to review a criminal case against August Heinz, the funeral home director accused of giving dozens of families the wrong ashes. Heinz's ex-wife is alleging he also committed forgery.

Logs are caught in the turbulent waters of a lock on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at the Melvin Price Lock And Dam on the Mississippi River.

Government, Politics & Issues

Fosterburg Water District secures $4.2 million USDA loan to access new treatment plant

Will Bauer

The district north of Alton in Fosterburg township will soon break ground on the water treatment plant and more than 50 miles of pipe to connect to six other communities and water districts.

Government, Politics & Issues

Misdeeds by Carlinville funeral home director spur Illinois legislative proposals

Beth Hundsdorfer

At least 80 families have received the wrong remains from the Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville, Illinois, according to the Sangamon County coroner.

Heinz Funeral Home Director Albert August “Gus” Heinz agreed to a permanent revocation of his state funeral director license in October. The revocation came at least six months after a local coroner complained to the state about conditions at the Carlinville, Illinois home that were “unacceptable and criminal in nature.”

Law & Order

For months, Illinois failed to act when Carlinville funeral director mishandled remains

Beth Hundsdorfer

Bodies were found decomposing and families given strangers’ ashes in the months following a coroner’s complaint on the Heinz Funeral Home.