Tim Mapes was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison, though U.S. District Judge John Kness told Mapes he had “zero hesitation in agreeing, wholeheartedly, that you are a good man,” after reading dozens of letters written to the court on Mapes’ behalf.

The state's fiscal watchdog, Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino, is under federal investigation. Meet the citizen watchdogs who broke the story.