Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

August 27, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS

The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms.

Originally filed in 2021, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sided with the county, upholding the ban in June of this year. In 2023, the state enacted a similar ban.

A Second Amendment challenge for the statewide ban is set to be heard by the appeals court Sept. 22. A district judge found the state’s ban unconstitutional last year.

Man sentenced for COVID fraud

A federal judge has sentenced a former Chicago man to a year and half in prison for scheming to fraudulently obtain nearly $2 million in small business loans from COVID relief funds.

Prosecutors say Samuel W. Jackson, 45, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after he and others spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury vehicles and at restaurants and entertainment venues.

Airport funding announced

More than $8 million in federal tax funds from the Trump administration is headed for airports across Illinois.

The U.S. Department of Transportation funding goes to improve taxiways, accommodate more passengers and make travelling easier.

An airport in Peoria is getting $7.6 million. Airports in Decatur and Bloomington are also receiving funds.

More Stories
Beecher Weather Full forecast →
Today Jul 20
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
85° 61°

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

💨 10 to 15 mph 💧 34%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jul 21, 12:35 PM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Maine Democrats lining up to replace Platner in Senate race

Maine Democrats lining up to replace Platner in Senate race

By Chris WadeThe Center Square Top Maine Democrats are being groomed as replacements for disgraced U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, who has yet to abandon his floundering candidacy amid damaging...
Trump: U.S. to 'probably' strike Iran tonight; oil prices rise

Trump: U.S. to ‘probably’ strike Iran tonight; oil prices rise

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump said the United States will "probably" strike Iran again on Wednesday night, after casting doubt on the ceasefire between the two countries....
Class action vs Apple over Face ID scans seeks to unlock big payout

Class action vs Apple over Face ID scans seeks to unlock big payout

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Apple has been hit with another class action lawsuit under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law, this time accusing the tech giant of...
Another fatal ICE shooting, this time in Houston

Another fatal ICE shooting, this time in Houston

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Another fatal immigration enforcement shooting has occurred, this time in Houston. The victim was a Mexican national in the country illegally, U.S. Immigration and Customs...
Census shows Illinois under-20 population declining faster than national average

Census shows Illinois under-20 population declining faster than national average

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed Illinois has seen outsized shifts in its population...
U.S. launches 'powerful strikes' against Iran, halts oil sales

U.S. launches ‘powerful strikes’ against Iran, halts oil sales

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The United States on Tuesday launched a "series of powerful strikes" against Iran in response to attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz....
Trump praises Erdoğan, pressures Europe on NATO and defense

Trump praises Erdoğan, pressures Europe on NATO and defense

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump remained icy toward key European leaders at the NATO Summit Tuesday, though he had nothing but good things to say about Turkish...
Installation of Big Bend border wall set for August in Texas

Installation of Big Bend border wall set for August in Texas

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square U.S. Customs and Border Protection is preparing to begin border wall panel installation in Texas’ Big Bend region, part of which borders Big Bend Ranch...
Chicago mayor to Trump: “Consider this a call”

Chicago mayor to Trump: “Consider this a call”

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is calling on President Donald Trump to fight violence the mayor’s way. During...
Chicago aldermen latest calling for US attorney's ouster over 'Broadview Six' case

Chicago aldermen latest calling for US attorney’s ouster over ‘Broadview Six’ case

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal prosecutor in Illinois is facing additional calls for his resignation this week by public officials,...
Trump demands Republicans attach voter ID bill to $350 billion for Pentagon

Trump demands Republicans attach voter ID bill to $350 billion for Pentagon

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As congressional Republicans recuperate from weeks of disrupted work, President Donald Trump is doubling down on two policy goals consider long-shots by observers: an extra...
Appeals court hears arguments in religous contraception case

Appeals court hears arguments in religous contraception case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit weighed arguments on Tuesday over mandating religious organizations who object to provide access to contraceptives through...
Illinois Quick Hits: New round of EV charging funds announced

Illinois Quick Hits: New round of EV charging funds announced

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation says about $30 million of funding is available for new electric vehicle...
Arrests made during operation targeting India-based gangs

Arrests made during operation targeting India-based gangs

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square An international crackdown on India-based organized crime gangs has resulted in 24 arrests in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Eleven of the defendants are in...
Seven more counties consider separation, creating new state

Seven more counties consider separation, creating new state

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square0 – Voters in seven Illinois counties have a chance to join 33 others that approved referendums to consider...