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

Routh sentenced to life in prison for assassination attempt on Trump

Routh sentenced to life in prison for assassination attempt on Trump

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Ryan Routh, the North Carolina native who lived in Hawaii, has been sentenced to life in prison on conviction of going to Florida attempting to...
INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues

INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues

By Jared StrongThe Center Square After concerns were raised about spending on DEI, the University of Wisconsin-Madison shuttered a department but kept most of the staff and their titles working...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Public Works Advances $1.9 Million Improvement for Wilmington-Peotone Road

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee has authorized a nearly $2 million contract for Phase I...
Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis

Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago finished fiscal year 2024 with a $41.1 billion gap between the money it has available...
Will Dial-A-Ride Service

Will County Public Works: Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Expands to All 24 Townships, Eliminating Borders

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary:In a major overhaul of county transit, officials presented a quarterly report confirming that the Access Will County Dial-a-Ride...
Murder Suspect

Suspect Captured in Execution-Style Murder of Momence Bar Owner

Article Summary: Authorities have arrested a 47-year-old Indiana man in connection with the fatal shooting of Courtney Drysdale, the owner of a bar in rural Momence. The suspect was apprehended...
Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions for the state’s Democratic and Republican...
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.2

Beecher Fire District Imposes Fees for Excessive Lift Assists

Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new ordinance establishing fees for "excessive" lift assists....
Illinois Quick Hits: Group files FOIA lawsuit vs. Pritzker

Illinois Quick Hits: Group files FOIA lawsuit vs. Pritzker

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The suit...
First lady meets with former Oct. 7 hostages

First lady meets with former Oct. 7 hostages

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square American citizen and Chapel Hill, N.C. native, Keith Siegel and his wife Aviva focused their meeting with First Lady Melania Trump on hope and a...
Supreme Court declines challenge to California's congressional map

Supreme Court declines challenge to California’s congressional map

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to California's redistricting bid that would add more Democrat-majority districts in the state. In November, California...

Candidate: $243 million in unlawful spending is example of ‘Preckwinkle’s mismanagement’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A candidate for Cook County board president says county spending of $243 million in violation of Illinois’...
GOP lawmakers urge Thune to tweak filibuster rules to pass voter ID bill

GOP lawmakers urge Thune to tweak filibuster rules to pass voter ID bill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Dozens of Republicans are demanding that the U.S. Senate take up House-passed legislation implementing election security reforms – and they’re willing to restructure filibuster rules...
Illinois housing crunch sees prices rising, units dwindling

Illinois housing crunch sees prices rising, units dwindling

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois facing a housing shortage fueled by dwindling availability and rising prices, Illinois Policy Institute...
700 federal agents to leave Minnesota, Homan says

700 federal agents to leave Minnesota, Homan says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration will remove 700 federal agents who are assisting immigration enforcement measures in Minnesota, White House Border Czar Tom Homan said Wednesday. Homan...