News Minute: Here is the latest Illinois news from The Associated Press - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

News Minute: Here is the latest Illinois news from The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois now has tougher penalties for those who use social media to organize violent "flash mobs" like those that have occurred on Chicago's Michigan Avenue and in other tourist areas. Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation today doubling the maximum prison term for offenders to six years.

CHICAGO (AP) - Some lucky winners of the Illinois Lottery weren't so lucky when they went to cash their checks. Lottery spokesman Mike Lang says checks to eight recent winners in the Chicago area bounced because of a clerical error, delaying the payouts totaling about $10,000.

RIPLEY, Ill. (AP) - The body of a 20-year-old man missing since a boating accident a week ago has been recovered from the LaMoine River in western Illinois. Josh Hart, of Rushville, was 1 of 5 people involved. Four other occupants of the small fishing boat made it shore after the vessel capsized. Sgt. Mark Wagner of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says the boat was overloaded and only had two lifejackets.

CATLIN, Ill. (AP) - The diver of a semi-trailer truck has walked away without serious injury after his vehicle collided with a freight train in the small town of Catlin in eastern Illinois. Police and Norfolk Southern railroad officials are investigating.

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