Illinois quick hits: Deer poachers sentenced; National Guard soldiers return | Illinois
Deer poachers sentenced Five Mississippi men have been sentenced to probation and ordered to pay fines and restitution after using spotlights to illegally hunt white-tailed deer in southern Illinois. Prosecutors said the five men engaged in a calculated, five-year operation in Massac, Jefferson, Union, Pope and Clark counties. Restitution amounts ranged from $2,000 to $75,000. […]
Illinois quick hits: Carjacker sentenced to 15 years | Illinois
Carjacker sentenced to 15 years A man who committed multiple carjackings and robberies in Chicago has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Prosecutors say Dwight Hasberry, 32, of Chicago, and three others engaged in a series of crimes, including carjacking a vehicle with an infant in the back seat, on Sept. 28 and […]
Democratic attorney generals call for demasking ICE agents | California
(The Center Square) — California, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada joined a coalition that asked Congress to prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from wearing masks. The states also want Congress to require the federal agents to show their identity and wear agency insignia. In making the request, the coalition is citing public safety concerns. […]
IL’s highest-in-nation cell phone taxes rise more in latest state budget | Illinois
(The Center Square) – With the latest tax increase imposed on July 1, Illinois cell phone users are paying a combined tax rate of nearly 38%. Before the new state budget took effect, Illinois already had the highest local wireless tax in the country at 7%. The tax rate went up to 8.65% on July […]
Illinois congressman pushes for NWS funding as Trump’s budget faces scrutiny | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Amid staffing shortages and public concern over natural disasters, the National Weather Service is defending its ability to fulfill its core mission—even as it operates under the strain of past budget cuts and ongoing reorganization. Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, a former meteorologist, said he and others are pushing bipartisan […]
WATCH: As Pritzker claims hospitals will close, Republican points to $50B fund | Illinois
(The Center Square) – While Illinois Democrats say hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans are going to lose health insurance and rural hospitals are going to close, Republicans say that’s not true. President Donald Trump’s one big beautiful bill has been criticized by Democrats like Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who claims “people will die.” “We have […]
Illinois quick hits: Cartel boss pleads guilty; Measles outbreak ends | Illinois
Cartel boss pleads guilty The son of Sinaloa Cartel boss “El Chapo” Guzman has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in Chicago. Federal prosecutors announced Ovidio Guzman Lopez, who succeeded his father as one of the leaders of the cartel in Mexico, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug conspiracy and two counts of knowingly […]
Illinois quick hits: State to receive $23 million in opioid settlement | Illinois
State to receive $23 million in opioid settlement Illinois could receive more than $23 million from a recently announced settlement states had with eight pharmaceutical manufacturers. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office announced the settlement totalling $720 million nationwide, alleging opioid manufacturers worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. Three charged with COVID fraud Three individuals face […]
IL may boost abortion funding if federal support is cut, concerns rise | Illinois
(The Center Square) – After a new federal law cut Medicaid funding for most abortion providers, Planned Parenthood of Illinois warns nearly 30,000 low-income patients could lose care. Critics say abortions won’t stop, they’ll just shift to the mailbox. A provision in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act aims to cut Medicaid funding […]
Illinois quick hits: Illinois joins lawsuit against EPA over grant cuts | Illinois
Illinois joins lawsuit against EPA over grant cuts Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for canceling so-called climate justice grant projects. Raoul says one example in the $3 billion in such funding is $2.7 million for sewage backups alongside the Chicago-Calumet River system. Raoul joins 19 […]