John O’Connor

Springfield

Writer at Associated Press

Illinois political writer for The @AP. Credentials? A dog named Shadrach. (@Shadrach_Bond) [email protected]

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Articles

The trial of an ex-deputy who shot an unarmed Black woman in her home is moved to another city

2 weeks ago | wjpf.com | Robert Thies |John O’Connor

By JOHN O’CONNOR Associated PressSPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The murder trial of a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey, an unarmed black woman, in her Springfield home last summer will be moved out of the capital city to Peoria because of intense publicity, a judge ruled Tuesday. Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin granted the request by defense attorneys for Sean Grayson, who personally appeared in court, shackled at the waist, for the first time in months.
Alleged drunk driver who killed Mays Landing newlyweds in crash released from jail

2 weeks ago | pressofatlanticcity.com | John O’Connor

An Atlantic City man who was allegedly driving under the influence before getting into an accident that killed a recently married Mays Landing couple last month in Maurice River Township was released from jail Monday until trial. Levon Woods, 25, is charged with two counts each of vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide and violation of a law intended to protect public health and safety. Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Demetrica L.
Young Abraham Lincoln's tiny Illinois town is due for a makeover

3 weeks ago | apnews.com | John O’Connor

PETERSBURG, Ill. (AP) — Before his famous debates, before the Civil War rent the nation, before he helped end slavery and before his tragic assassination, Abraham Lincoln had New Salem. The tiny central Illinois village, where Lincoln accidentally spent half-a-dozen years in the 1830s, perhaps did as much to prepare him to be the Union-saving 16th president as any other aspect of his humble yet remarkable life.
Illinois returns stolen land to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation

4 weeks ago | stltoday.com | John O’Connor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Prairie Land Potawatomi Nation has reclaimed land in Illinois that was promised to the tribe’s leader 175 years ago but stolen by the federal government 20 years later. A law signed by Gov. JB Pritzker last week transferred Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, 1,500 acres in north-central Illinois. “We are proud to once again call this land home,” said Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation based in Mayetta, Kansas.
Illinois returns stolen land to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation

4 weeks ago | winnipegsun.com | John O’Connor

Author of the article:Published Mar 25, 2025 • 2 minute read You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article contentBy John O’connorArticle contentRecommended VideosWe apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team. Illinois returns stolen land to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Back to videoWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Illinois returns stolen land to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation

4 weeks ago | apnews.com | John O’Connor

Illinois returns stolen land to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation 1 of 2 | This undated image provided by Wisconsin Historical Society shows Chief Shab-eh-nay. (Wisconsin Historical Society via AP) 2 of 2 | Joseph Zeke Rupnick, chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation based in Mayetta, Kansas, seen in a screen grab from Monday, June 10, 2024. (AP Photo/John O’Connor) SPRINGFIELD, Ill.
Illinois votes on a new state flag design -- and chooses the current one

1 month ago | yoursun.com | John O’Connor

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How Abraham Lincoln set the precedent for Trump’s deportation authority

1 month ago | theblaze.com | John O'Connor |John O’Connor |“The Mysteries

Across the United States, Americans of all backgrounds recognize Juneteenth on June 19, commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Confederate-held Texas learned of President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. The same legal reasoning that ended slavery also supports a president’s authority to remove foreign nationals designated as domestic terrorists.
Nearly 700 people were killed 100 years ago this week in the deadliest US tornado

1 month ago | latrobebulletinnews.com | John O’Connor

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (AP) — From Logan School’s top floor, 11-year-old Othella Silvey should have been able to see her house easily — it was less than two blocks away. But after a monstrous tornado ripped through the Illinois town of Murphysboro on March 18, 1925, Othella saw nothing but flattened wasteland. kAm“$96 4@F=5?’E E6== H9:49 5:C64E:@?
Nearly 700 people were killed 100 years ago this week in the deadliest US tornado

1 month ago | southernillinoisnow.com | Bruce Kropp |John O’Connor

By JOHN O’CONNOR Associated PressMURPHYSBORO, Ill. (AP) — From Logan School’s top floor, 11-year-old Othella Silvey should have been able to see her house easily — it was less than two blocks away. But after a monstrous tornado ripped through the Illinois town of Murphysboro on March 18, 1925, Othella saw nothing but flattened wasteland. “She couldn’t tell which direction was home,” said Othella’s daughter, 81-year-old Sylvia Carvell.