Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges

Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges

February 12, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Honduran citizen residing in Waukegan has been indicted for allegedly bringing illegal aliens into the United States for private financial gain.

Federal prosecutors say Fredy Hernandez, 46, brought four foreign nationals from Honduras into the United States in 2022 and 2023, forced them to work, and made them believe they would suffer serious harm if they failed to comply.

SECRETARY OF STATE MANDATES ELECTRONIC LIEN AND TITLE PROCESSING

Financial institutions that process five or more liens annually will be required to transition to electronic lien and titling by July 1.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said that under ELT, lien and title records are transmitted directly to his office and maintained electronically until the lien is satisfied.

The secretary said banks, credit unions and dealers can instantly release the title when a loan is paid off, reducing costs and saving time.

ZIMMERMAN, MATCHBOX TIX ON SALE FRIDAY

Tickets go on sale Friday for two acts scheduled to perform at the Illinois State Fair.

Country performer and Illinois native Bailey Zimmerman is slated to play at the fair on Ag Day, Aug. 14. Matchbox Twenty is scheduled to perform Aug. 16.

Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, starting at 10 a.m.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning.2

P&Z Commission: New Women’s Recovery Center Proposed for Patterson Road Receives Support

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility...

WATCH: ‘Unfortunate accident’: Miss. senator blasted for comment on Guard troop shootings

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., faced heavy criticism Thursday after characterizing the recent shooting of two National Guard members blocks from the White House, killing...

WATCH: House Homeland Security hearing filled with tense exchanges

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A U.S. House hearing on homeland security wasn’t void of drama Thursday as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem engaged in several tense exchanges with Democrats,...
Judge rules against Trump's freeze on wind energy

Judge rules against Trump’s freeze on wind energy

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general applauded a federal judge’s ruling this week that the Trump administration can’t halt development of all wind energy projects. Proponents have long...
Illinois’ new paint fee takes effect, with critics calling it another burden on taxpayers

Illinois’ new paint fee takes effect, with critics calling it another burden on taxpayers

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new statewide fee on paint products adds a small charge to each container sold as...
Pritzker decision looms for energy bill 'on ratepayers' backs'

Pritzker decision looms for energy bill ‘on ratepayers’ backs’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated support for energy legislation awaiting his signature, but small business owners are...

WATCH: Use of National Guard debated in U.S. Senate as Illinois case lingers

By Greg BishopThe Center Square While the use of the National Guard remains on hold in Illinois, pending a legal challenge, the U.S. Senate is debating having troops on American...
Illinois quick hits: Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps

Illinois quick hits: Senator’s deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved U.S. District Court Judge Andrea Wood has approved a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve the bribery...
Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination makes first in-person appearance in court

Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination makes first in-person appearance in court

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The Utah man charged with assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk appeared in person before a Utah court Thursday for the first time since his arrest....
Pro-life orgs call out FDA, Makary for not fulfilling promise to review abortion drug

Pro-life orgs call out FDA, Makary for not fulfilling promise to review abortion drug

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Pro-life groups are holding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its commissioner Marty Makary accountable for leaving its promise to review the “dangerous” abortion...
Bill to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies dies in Senate

Bill to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies dies in Senate

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As expected, lawmakers failed to pass either of the competing partisan health care bills in the Senate on Thursday. The result all but ensures that...
Judge: CHA lawyers must pay $59K for citing ChatGPT-created cases

Judge: CHA lawyers must pay $59K for citing ChatGPT-created cases

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Lawyers who defended the Chicago Housing Authority in a case that resulted in more than $32 million in judgments to two families...
Op-Ed: Your kids now belong to the Chicago Teachers Union

Op-Ed: Your kids now belong to the Chicago Teachers Union

By Mailee Smith | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square Students who can’t read and secrecy from parents – that’s just part of the legacy of Stacy Davis Gates during her...
Illinois quick hits: Former police chief convicted of bribery; man sentenced for fraud

Illinois quick hits: Former police chief convicted of bribery; man sentenced for fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former police chief convicted of bribery A federal jury has convicted a former Summit, Illinois police chief of bribery offenses for...

WATCH: Chicago mayor: ‘Wicked’ people want chaos; critics rip mayor

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago has expressed his opposition to an alternative budget proposal from the city council....