Attorney general warns senior citizens about scams

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says senior citizens should be on the lookout for con artists who target older people.

She warns that consumer scams increase during tough economic times and may involve debt settlement traps, fake check cashing scams, risky reverse mortgages and health care fraud.

She says it's difficult to undo the damage once people have sent money or given out personal financial information.

Madigan has been speaking to seniors as part of her Silver Beat program.

It helps train seniors to become experts at stopping scams. - http://goo.gl/aZao4

Illinois State Police Announce Possible Travel Delays due to Upcoming Protest

The Illinois State Police is urging drivers to proceed with caution when commuting between St. Louis and the Metro East. A protest is planned for Thursday afternoon. Protesters are expected to express their First Amendment rights, and the protest could carry over onto the Martin Luther King Bridge. Officers will maintain a zero tolerance policy for any obstructions on roadways, ramps, or any other distractions that impede or disrupt vehicular traffic and safe driving. Law enforcement officials say appropriate enforcement action will be taken and protesters can face fines and civil liability resulting in damage, accidents or injuries.  - http://goo.gl/pgknz

Marion County Police Beat for Thursday, November 17th, 2011

A 19-year-old Centralia man faces drug charges after a small container that allegedly contained cocaine was found in his possession while he was being booked into jail on an outstanding failure to appear in court warrant. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say they arrested Nathaniel Hegwood of South Maple at the probation department. He reportedly told them he did not have drugs or any illegal items in his possession. However, during the booking process, correctional officers found the container in one of his pants pocket. The original warrant was for failing to appear or pay fines on an illegal consumption of liquor by a minor conviction. 21-year-old David Jarnagin of South Locust in Centralia was arrested for driving on a suspended license. 25-year-old Garrick Goostree of South Jefferson in Salem posted$300 bond after being arrested by sheriff's deputies for failure to appear in court on a speeding charge.  - http://goo.gl/plvsK

Centralia Correctional Center Inmate Charged With Trying To Arrange Murders From Jail Cell

An inmate at the Centralia Correctional Center has been charged with soliciting the murder of a DuPage County judge and an assistant state's attorney. DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin told the Beacon News that 53-year-old Gordon Vanderark solicited the murder of two DuPage County officials and two other private citizens. The former Wheaton man has been in the Centralia Correctional Center for the past year. Vanderark was sentenced by Judge Blanche Fawell on December 20th of last year to 16 years in prison for a Class X felony aggravated DUI charge. Berlin told the newspaper that between December of last year and Tuesday of this week Vanderark solicited a hitman to kill Fawell and Assistant State's Attorney Audrey Anderson from his jail cell. Vanderark is also accused of soliciting the murder of his ex-wife and an acquaintance. Berlin said Vanderark had agreed to pay the hitman $70,000 and had already paid a $2,000 advance. Vanderark is scheduled to appear in DuPage County Court on the charges December 12th.  - http://goo.gl/ntSkK

U.S. Marshalls Join Centralia Police on Sex Offenders Sweep

The U.S. Marshall's office joined Centralia Police Wednesday in a check on registered sex offenders to determine if they were living at their registered address. Two people were taken into custody during the sweep. 35-year-old Winslow Martin of North Sycamore in Centralia was arrested for not residing at the home Centralia Police had on record. 61-year-old Jerry Dale Williams of North James in Centralia is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of stolen property. Police were allowed inside Williams' home to look for him after another occupant indicated he was not present. A shot gun, that police determined had been stolen in Jefferson County, was found in Williams' bedroom. He returned home during the process and was taken into custody.  - http://goo.gl/yKOed