Illinois Quick Hits: Springfield plan detached from megaprojects

Illinois Quick Hits: Springfield plan detached from megaprojects

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A proposal to create the Capital Area Tourism Authority and Capital City Downtown Medical District in Springfield may be passed on its own after it was previously included in megaprojects legislation.

State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, filed the amendment to SB 2829 on Wednesday and said she is exploring all avenues to get the bill over the finish line.

Sean Reed contributed to this story.

U.S. ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES GRAND JURY CHANGES

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros has announced internal reforms to grand jury practices and disclosures, days after his office dismissed charges against protesters who were arrested outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview last year.

Boutros said his office moved to dismiss the indictment after learning of “certain conduct” by the government in the grand jury.

Boutros said the new process will be more transparent and effective while greatly reducing the likelihood of mistakes.

MAN SENTENCED FOR TRANSPORTING CASH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS

A Texas man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for transporting $9 million in illicit cash proceeds for a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization.

Prosecutors say Ricardo Tello, 39, delivered the money by plane or car in the Chicago area.

Tello pleaded guilty to drug distribution and money laundering charges in September 2025.

PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION TO FORM

The Illinois Supreme Court is inviting applications from individuals interested in serving as appointed members of the Illinois State Public Defender Commission.

The court said people appointed to the commission must have significant experience defending indigent clients in criminal or juvenile proceedings and must demonstrate a commitment to public service and understanding of the legal system.

The commission was created by the Funded Advocacy and Independent Representation Act in 2025 and is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

U.S. LNG exports hit new high as Turkey buys big

U.S. LNG exports hit new high as Turkey buys big

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square U.S. LNG exports reached a fresh record of 525.1 million cubic feet in November, with shipments to trade partners including Turkey, Egypt and several European...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTA passenger set on fire in November leaves hospital

Illinois Quick Hits: CTA passenger set on fire in November leaves hospital

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago Transit Authority train passenger says she has been released from the hospital more than two...
House Oversight probes Rep. Ilhan Omar's husband's businesses

House Oversight probes Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband’s businesses

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The House Oversight Committee is investigating the rapid rise in value of two companies owned by Rep. Ilhan Omar's husband, amid concerns over financial transparency...

WATCH: IL Senate GOP proposes SAFE-T Act changes for domestic violence violations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran says his caucus has proposed changes to the SAFE-T Act that...
Illinois open-burn bill ignites capitol clash

Illinois open-burn bill ignites capitol clash

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal aimed at giving local fire protection districts more oversight of open burning in unincorporated...
AMA's medical education infused with political ideology, Do No Harm says

AMA’s medical education infused with political ideology, Do No Harm says

By Tate MillerThe Center Square In its ongoing fight against identity politics in medicine, Do No Harm exposed the American Medical Association this week for content related to identity politics...
Los Angeles police chief declines to enforce ICE mask ban

Los Angeles police chief declines to enforce ICE mask ban

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square California has a new law that prohibits law enforcement from wearing masks, but don’t expect it to be enforced in Los Angeles. At least not...
Surge in gas-fired power for data centers, with Texas leading

Surge in gas-fired power for data centers, with Texas leading

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The amount of gas-fired power generation in development in the U.S. nearly tripled over the past year to a record-high 252 gigawatts, with a third...
Entrepreneurs push back as Illinois city proposes new business registry

Entrepreneurs push back as Illinois city proposes new business registry

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite existing state registration requirements, Pontiac officials are proposing a new local business registration program aimed...
Benghazi attack suspect arrested, will face charges in U.S.

Benghazi attack suspect arrested, will face charges in U.S.

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A suspect in a 2012 attack on a United States compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans was arrested and will be prosecuted in...
Canada looks to shift auto industry away from U.S.

Canada looks to shift auto industry away from U.S.

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wants his nation's auto industry to look far beyond its usual American market with investments in electric vehicles and other...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker's fiscal update blasts Trump administration

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker’s fiscal update blasts Trump administration

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget says tax provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill Act would...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Capital Imp Committee Debates ‘Human Factor’ in Drafting New Artificial Intelligence Policy

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | Jan. 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Capital Improvements and IT Committee launched a comprehensive discussion on creating a...
Civil group seeks revival of student loan forgiveness lawsuit

Civil group seeks revival of student loan forgiveness lawsuit

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The New Civil Liberties Alliance presented oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit this week, after filing an opening brief...
Professor: California sees nation's least affordable electricity

Professor: California sees nation’s least affordable electricity

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California is experiencing the country's biggest hikes in electricity rates, according to new research from the Energy Institute at the Haas School of Business at...