The big local news comes from Springfield and the State Journal-Register:
A four-month investigation by the Sangamon County state's attorney's office has found insufficient evidence to charge U.S. Sen. Roland Burris with perjury.
Burris, D-Ill., was under investigation for possible perjury for his January testimony before the Illinois House impeachment committee.
Sangamon County state's attorney John Schmidt, a Republican, said some of Burris' statements were vague, "but vague statements cannot support a perjury charge."
"Moreover, an individual does not commit perjury if he corrects the known falsity before the adjournment of the tribunal," Schmidt said in a letter delivered today to House Speaker Michael Madigan explaining the reasons behind his decision.
Burris testified to the state House Impeachment Committee that he had no prior contacts with disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich until his late 2008 appointment to the US Senate. In February, Burris amended that testimony, and a federal wiretap from November capture the beleaguered Burris discussing the possibility of a fundraiser for Blago with Robert Blagojevich, the former governor's brother.
Burris will be explaining this mess to Illinoisans for a long time.
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