Illinois briefs

Dozens of same-sex couples get licenses

CHICAGO - More than 80 same-sex couples have gotten marriage licenses in Cook County, including some from other Illinois counties who apparently didn't want to wait until gay marriage becomes legal statewide on June 1.

Cook County Clerk David Orr began issuing licenses on Friday after a federal judge ruled that Illinois' original ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional so there was nothing to stop couples from marrying now.

But U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman said the ruling applied only to Cook County because the suit was filed against Orr. He is a longtime supporter of gay marriage who was barred from issuing the licenses until now.

Pharmacist receives 7 years in scheme

CHICAGO - An Illinois pharmacist has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for stealing customers' identities to make fake prescriptions and collect money from insurance companies.

Federal prosecutors said 76-year-old Ronald Kielar, of Mundelein, collected more than $1.7 million by submitting more than 600 faked claims over several years. He was convicted at trial last fall.

Woman lands 13 years in fraud scheme

CHICAGO - Federal prosecutors say a Chicago woman has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for swindling at least 1,000 senior citizens out of $800,000.

Prosecutors said Tiffany Hall, 30, targeted more than 70 elderly victims who were widowed or lived alone. They say she stole their retirement and life savings and used the money to gamble and buy cars and electronics.

Hall's husband, Lawrence, was sentenced last month to 10 years in prison for his role in the scheme.