August 27, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS

The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms.

Originally filed in 2021, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sided with the county, upholding the ban in June of this year. In 2023, the state enacted a similar ban.

A Second Amendment challenge for the statewide ban is set to be heard by the appeals court Sept. 22. A district judge found the state’s ban unconstitutional last year.

Man sentenced for COVID fraud

A federal judge has sentenced a former Chicago man to a year and half in prison for scheming to fraudulently obtain nearly $2 million in small business loans from COVID relief funds.

Prosecutors say Samuel W. Jackson, 45, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after he and others spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury vehicles and at restaurants and entertainment venues.

Airport funding announced

More than $8 million in federal tax funds from the Trump administration is headed for airports across Illinois.

The U.S. Department of Transportation funding goes to improve taxiways, accommodate more passengers and make travelling easier.

An airport in Peoria is getting $7.6 million. Airports in Decatur and Bloomington are also receiving funds.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Fifth-Inning Rally Lifts Casey-Westfield Past Fairfield, 3-1

A crucial three-run fifth inning proved to be the difference on Friday, as the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team capitalized on defensive miscues to secure a 3-1 non-conference road victory over...
Spanberger vows to get Virginians ‘representation we deserve’

Spanberger vows to get Virginians ‘representation we deserve’

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Virginia’s Democratic governor responded to an invalidated election result and the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of an emergency stay on Friday by saying she’s committed...
EXCLUSIVE: The Oversight Project calls for investigation into Fusus, Oak Brook contract

EXCLUSIVE: The Oversight Project calls for investigation into Fusus, Oak Brook contract

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Oak Brook police chief welcomes an investigation into how the village obtained a multi-million taxpayer funded...
Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.

Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Democratic senators are advancing a series of proposals to tax America's wealthiest households, with supporters projecting trillions in new federal revenue. Critics, however, argue the...
Colorado governor shortens Tina Peters' sentence for election tampering

Colorado governor shortens Tina Peters’ sentence for election tampering

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has shortened the prison sentence of former county clerk Tina Peters, convicted of election tampering related to the 2020 election. The...
No ruling; Florida judge hears arguments in redistricting litigation

No ruling; Florida judge hears arguments in redistricting litigation

By David BeasleyThe Center Square A Florida judge on Friday heard arguments on a lawsuit to block a new congressional redistricting plan in Florida that could give Republicans a four-seat...
Debate grows over bill on gender, abortion care access in child placement

Debate grows over bill on gender, abortion care access in child placement

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposed law could allow child services to consider a child’s gender identity and access to abortion...
Lawsuit: D300 secretly gender transitioned student; Seeks to nix IL gender ‘guidance,’ too

Lawsuit: D300 secretly gender transitioned student; Seeks to nix IL gender ‘guidance,’ too

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A mother from Chicago's far northwest suburbs has lodged a lawsuit against her child's public school district, accusing Community Unit School District...

WATCH: Family farm’s decade-long water war with Ecology waiting on WA Supreme Court

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square More than nine years after a legal battle began between a Grant County family farm and the Washington Department of Ecology, the two sides are...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Baseball Powers Past Paris in 10-6 Home Victory

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team secured a decisive 10-6 victory over Paris on Thursday, utilizing a high-powered offense to overcome an early deficit and claim the non-conference win at home....
Trump says tariffs never came up during China trip

Trump says tariffs never came up during China trip

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Friday that tariffs never came up during his two-day trip to China, even as his administration works to replace a tariff...
IL biometric privacy suits say tech companies used broadcasters’ work to train AI

IL biometric privacy suits say tech companies used broadcasters’ work to train AI

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Some of America's biggest tech companies have been hit with class action lawsuits under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law, accusing...
Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows 8% of Cook County offenders on electronic monitoring AWOL

Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows 8% of Cook County offenders on electronic monitoring AWOL

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A report from a Cook County judge revealed that 8% of people participating in the electronic monitoring...
Fed funding of pediatrics group questioned over its gender ideology stance

Fed funding of pediatrics group questioned over its gender ideology stance

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Parental rights group the American Parents Coalition is urging Congress to review federal funding of the American Academy of Pediatrics, alleging that the organization prioritizes...
Trump’s ‘historic’ visit to China yields some economic, less geopolitical fruits

Trump’s ‘historic’ visit to China yields some economic, less geopolitical fruits

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump returned Friday from his first diplomatic visit to China since 2017, heralding the ‘historic’ nature of the trip. Former President Joe Biden...