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

February 12, 2026/

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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.

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