Illinois quick hits: Bovino thanks police; fire assistance grants available

Illinois quick hits: Bovino thanks police; fire assistance grants available

December 17, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Bovino thanks police

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino has expressed his appreciation to police officers in Chicago and Evanston.

In a social media post Wednesday, Bovino thanked the Chicago and Evanston departments and said they provided assistance in preventing “violent mobs” from assaulting CBP law enforcement officers as they conducted Title 8 immigration duties.

Fire assistance grants available

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for federal Volunteer Fire Assistance grants through Feb. 16, 2026.

The federal funds are passed through IDNR to aid fire departments in the purchase of new equipment and funding for training.

In 2025, the program awarded $322,893 for 48 Illinois projects.

Deer harvest totals

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7, down from 82,496 deer harvested during the 2024 firearm season.

Adams County had by far the highest total of deer harvested in 2025 with 2,291.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

AG candidate seeks to reform SAFE-T Act

AG candidate seeks to reform SAFE-T Act

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois attorney general candidate launched a new initiative to reform the SAFE-T Act. The law enacted...
Op-Ed: Senate Bill 3070 provides sensible solution for students, manufacturers

Op-Ed: Senate Bill 3070 provides sensible solution for students, manufacturers

By Ben BarnettThe Center Square Illinois manufacturers face a serious problem. We have modern, high-tech facilities running at full capacity, but we struggle to find the young talent needed to...
Washington Township Graphic.2

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Washington Township Board of Trustees for March 2, 2026

Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | March 2, 2026 The Washington Township Board of Trustees met on March 2, 2026, handling a brief but financially significant agenda. Alongside authorizing...
Illinois millionaire’s tax moves closer to November ballot

Illinois millionaire’s tax moves closer to November ballot

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A measure giving Illinois voters the opportunity to consider a millionaire’s tax is one step closer to...
Beecher Village Graphic.1

Beecher to Implement ‘No Food’ Rule for New Police Station Community Room

Village of Beecher Meeting | April 13, 2026 Article Summary: To avoid charging rental fees and managing cleanup logistics, the Village of Beecher will adopt a usage policy for its...
(Photo by Chad Merda)

Oldest preserve expansion pushes acreage past 24,000 milestone

The Forest Preserve’s first acquisition of the year not only expands the District’s oldest preserve, it also pushes total acreage past the 24,000 mark. On March 27, the Forest Preserve...
—photo by Jim Piacentini

Beecher Edges Gardner-South Wilmington 4-3 Behind Lane’s Perfect Day at the Plate

Easton Lane’s perfect day at the plate helped propel the Beecher varsity baseball team to a tight 4-3 home conference victory over Gardner-South Wilmington on Monday. Lane went 3-for-3 with...
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.3

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher Fire Protection District for February 26, 2026

Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | February 26, 2026 The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees met on Thursday, February 26, 2026, to address facility maintenance and hear operational...
washington township graphic.2

Washington Township Trustees Approve Nearly $87,500 in February Disbursements

Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | March 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Washington Township Board unanimously approved its February financial obligations, clearing $87,437.25 in combined spending across the Road...
Beecher Village Graphic.2

Beecher Renews IGA with Will County for License Plate Reading Cameras

Village of Beecher Meeting | April 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher approved a three-year Intergovernmental Agreement with Will County to maintain license plate reading cameras within the...
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.4

Beecher Fire District Reports Over 1,300 Training Hours, Details Local Initiatives

Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | February 26, 2026 Article Summary: Beecher Fire Protection District leadership provided comprehensive operational updates to the board, highlighting 1,330 hours of firefighter training and...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for April 9, 2026

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026 The Will County Board Executive Committee met on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to process a diverse agenda featuring major strategic,...
Rock Run Preserve —Photo by Chad Merda

On the road to 100 years: How the Forest Preserve District expanded

As the Forest Preserve District approaches its centennial year in 2027 with a total of nearly 24,000 protected acres, it’s a good time to reflect on how the District grew...
Beecher Baseball Bobcats

Easton Lane’s Two-Way Heroics, 17-Hit Attack Lift Beecher Past Milford in 14-13 Thriller

The Beecher varsity baseball team survived a wild, back-and-forth slugfest on Saturday, outlasting host Milford 14-13 in a non-conference battle that featured 30 combined hits and constant lead changes. Milford...
—photos by Jim Piacentini

Norkus Strikes Out 15, Tosses One-Hitter in Beecher’s 4-0 Victory Over Gardner-South Wilmington

Senior ace Taylor Norkus delivered a masterpiece in the circle, striking out 15 batters and tossing a complete-game one-hitter to propel the Beecher varsity softball team to a 4-0 home...