Illinois quick hits: Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President’s office

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President’s office

A Chicago man has been charged with armed robbery after an incident at the Oak Park office of Illinois Senate President Don Harmon.

A statement from Harmon said the man entered his office Friday and confronted an employee with a knife.

According to the statement, the staff member was unharmed and the suspect was taken into custody.

Chicago SNAP funding executive order

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing additional taxpayer resources to local community organizations, nonprofits, food pantries and faith institutions working to address what he called “the the ongoing uncertainty around SNAP benefits.”

Johnson’s order authorized emergency procurement flexibility to expedite the direction of city resources to respond to hunger and food insecurity that result from federal cuts.

The mayor’s move came one day after he threatened property tax hikes if the city council rejects his proposed corporate head tax on hiring.

Deer hunting safety urged

As the state’s firearm deer season approaches, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding deer hunters to use safety harnesses when using tree stands in the field.

The IDNR said 70% of hunting incidents reported to the agency last year were related to tree stands, including failure to use a fall arrest system.

The 2025 Illinois firearm deer season dates are Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7.