Teen charged in Metra robberies
A Chicago teen was charged Thursday with a string of armed robberies near two Metra stations on the South Side, police said. A second suspect is still being sought. Lee Mintz, 17, of the 8500 block of South Ingleside Avenue was arrested about 2 p.m. Wednesday, Chicago Police Officer Michael Fitzpatrick said. He allegedly used a gun to hold up five people from July 19 to July 30, Fitzpatrick said.
Gun buyback payouts slashed
The economy’s gotten so rotten you can’t even get as much money as you used to for turning in your handgun to Chicago police. People who turn in handguns Saturday during the city’s annual gun buyback program will get $50. Last year, a handgun fetched $100. Aides to Mayor Daley Thursday blamed a more than 50 percent drop in donations for the program.
Spire builder sued
Bank of America Corp. sued Shelbourne Development Group Inc., which halted construction on the planned 150-floor Chicago Spire tower, claiming the firm has defaulted on a loan. The lender, in a lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, said it’s seeking $4.9 million in principal, interest and associated fees from Shelbourne and its chairman, Garrett Kelleher, who is said to have guaranteed the obligation.
Judge OKs using Blago funds
A federal judge gave the go-ahead Thursday for almost $19,700 to be paid out of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund to creditors. Prosecutors backed the release of the money. The Friends of Blagojevich fund has been frozen by court order since the ex-governor was indicted in April on corruption charges. The payments are for legal, real estate, accounting and other professional services.
