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

Responses due in Virginia redistricting appeal

Responses due in Virginia redistricting appeal

By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Responses are due by 5 p.m. Thursday in Virginia’s emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court over the commonwealth’s congressional redistricting dispute, as outside groups...
Illinois Republicans blame taxes, lawsuits after Morton Salt exits Chicago

Illinois Republicans blame taxes, lawsuits after Morton Salt exits Chicago

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Republican lawmakers are warning that the departure of iconic salt producer Morton Salt from Chicago is...
Data center regulations weighed; some worry over jobs, energy, taxes

Data center regulations weighed; some worry over jobs, energy, taxes

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Major bills in both the state Senate and House may heavily regulate data centers in the state....
Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for financial transparency

Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for financial transparency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report ranks Illinois 46 out of 50 states for financial transparency, partly due to the...
Solutions differ for Chicago Public Schools' potential $1B deficit

Solutions differ for Chicago Public Schools’ potential $1B deficit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says the city’s public schools could face a $1 billion budget deficit if...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against trucking industry

U.S. Supreme Court rules against trucking industry

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision Thursday, agreed that states can protect individuals injured in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Dems look at Chicago for national conventions

Illinois Quick Hits: Dems look at Chicago for national conventions

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Democrat National Convention’s committee on site selection visited Chicago this week, again considered the city for...
Judge sets up high stakes baby formula NEC trial vs Mead Johnson

Judge sets up high stakes baby formula NEC trial vs Mead Johnson

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge has potentially cleared the way for another trial against pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement maker Mead Johnson & Co. over...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Offensive Explosion Powers Casey-Westfield to 20-12 Victory Over Newton

CASEY, IL – In a high-scoring conference showdown, the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team outlasted Newton in a 20-12 offensive marathon on Tuesday. The Warriors' lineup was relentless, racking up 20 hits...
Illinois Quick Hits: Home insurance regulations approved by Illinois Senate

Illinois Quick Hits: Home insurance regulations approved by Illinois Senate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill to regulate homeowners insurance rates will be up for consideration in the Illinois House after...
Illinois Senate passes bill to regulate auto insurance rates

Illinois Senate passes bill to regulate auto insurance rates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate has approved legislation to regulate auto insurance rates, but a former Illinois Department of...
Op-Ed: The FAA's O'Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition

Op-Ed: The FAA’s O’Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition

By Mario H. Lopez | Hispanic Leadership FundThe Center Square At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, one of the nation's most critical travel hubs and a gateway for millions of passengers...
Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions

Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Based on the multiple billions of dollars lost to scams and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults...

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas tops $5 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now $5.03 in Illinois,...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Newton Shuts Out Casey-Westfield in Conference Clash

CASEY, IL – A stellar pitching performance by C. Barthelme led Newton to a 3-0 victory over Casey-Westfield in Monday’s conference baseball matchup. Barthelme was nearly untouchable on the mound, tossing...