At 48, having raised three children now in their 20s, Jeanette Byrd is back in a world of diapers, day care and cartoons.

In the last two years, Byrd’s 3-year-old granddaughter and 1-year-old grandson were placed in her care by the Department of Children and Family Services, and now she’s on the path toward permanent guardianship of the children.

A 35-year-old Illinois State Police trooper was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 55 while cleaning up debris on the road, officials announced on Tuesday.

The trooper’s death marked the latest in over two dozen roadside crashes involving state police this year, officials said.

Recyclable metal dealers will have to keep more records before accepting catalytic converters, thanks to an Illinois law going into effect in the new year.

The new legislation will require recyclable metal dealers keep a record of the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the catalytic converter itself. Additionally, any potential seller must provide a copy of the certificate of title or registration to show ownership of the vehicle the catalytic converter was removed from.

Despite being criticized for being a waste of time, a new commission will be created Jan. 1 to evaluate Illinois’ property tax system.

State Rep. Mary Beth Canty’s legislation creates the commission that will include members of the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

A Chicago podiatrist convicted in the 2002 shooting of a church worker had his federal death sentence commuted by President Joe Biden.

Ronald Mikos, 76, is housed in the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind. Mikos was one of 37 people who had their death sentences commuted. None of the 37 will be eligible for parole.