September 10, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: DOJ seizes illegal vaping products in Bensenville; NFIB optimism index rises

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

DOJ seizes illegal vaping products in Bensenville

A major raid in a Chicago suburb has led to the seizure of hundreds of thousands of illegal vaping products.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said many of the items found at Midwest Goods in Bensenville were smuggled in from China and contained undisclosed chemicals.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. joined Bondi in Bensenville for the announcement.

Alderman announce county president race

Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly has announced that he is running for Cook County Board president.

In a campaign video released Wednesday, Reilly said current board President Toni Preckwinkle and her political allies claim Chicago is safe and doesn’t need help.

Reilly also said corruption and insider deals are rotting Cook County government inside out. Preckwinkle has held the office since 2010.

NFIB optimism index rises

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.5 points in August to 100.8, nearly 3 points above the 52-year average of 98.

The Uncertainty Index fell by 4 points to 93 but remained well above the historical average.

NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said Illinois policymakers should avoid further tax increases and work to make it easier for employers to find, recruit and train employees.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Pritzker touts EV plant in Normal, Bailey says taxpayers bear the burden

Pritzker touts EV plant in Normal, Bailey says taxpayers bear the burden

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Rivian is the best electric vehicle maker in the world, but his...
State Supreme Court hears arguments over Uber forced arbitration

State Supreme Court hears arguments over Uber forced arbitration

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four years after two men – an Uber driver and a passenger – died in a car...
Vance defends DOJ's nearly $1.8B 'weaponization' fund

Vance defends DOJ’s nearly $1.8B ‘weaponization’ fund

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday defended a nearly $1.8 billion taxpayer fund through the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at supporting victims of "lawfare...
Vance highlights 'progress' in Iran negotiations, floats additional fighting

Vance highlights ‘progress’ in Iran negotiations, floats additional fighting

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. and Iran have "made a lot of progress" on negotiations to end the conflict between the two nations....
Experts: Republican bills offer little data privacy protection, override state laws

Experts: Republican bills offer little data privacy protection, override state laws

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans have introduced legislation that would enact nationwide consumer data protections, but experts disagree on whether the proposed federal standard would actually protect Americans’ online...
NAACP asks Black university athletes in 7 states to boycott

NAACP asks Black university athletes in 7 states to boycott

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Black athletes in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and South Carolina at public universities are being encouraged to join the NAACP’s Out of Bounds...
Tillis to Hegseth: Choose meritocracy over your mediocre yes-men

Tillis to Hegseth: Choose meritocracy over your mediocre yes-men

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Gen. Chris Donahue, former key leader aboard Fort Bragg and in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, got a strong backing from an outgoing North Carolina senator...
Chicago committee approves $5M for public school project

Chicago committee approves $5M for public school project

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen are planning to spend more tax increment financing dollars on Chicago Public Schools, even though...
Group files federal lawsuit against Illinois' gun owner ID law

Group files federal lawsuit against Illinois’ gun owner ID law

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new challenge to Illinois’ requirement for gun owners to have a state police-issued license has been...
Feds push back on Minnesota prosecution of ICE agent

Feds push back on Minnesota prosecution of ICE agent

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal immigration officials are calling Minnesota’s prosecution of an ICE agent a “political stunt” after Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced criminal charges tied to...
Minnesota mobile voting push stalls as session ends

Minnesota mobile voting push stalls as session ends

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As the 2026 Minnesota legislative session came to a close over the weekend, several special interest efforts ultimately failed to advance. One of those was...
Taxpayers fund factories Pentagon says contractors should build

Taxpayers fund factories Pentagon says contractors should build

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Pentagon is asking Congress to approve a new model that expects defense contractors to fund their own factory expansions, while simultaneously handing out $191...
Renewed call for Trump to pardon Texas Republican political consultant

Renewed call for Trump to pardon Texas Republican political consultant

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After a Trump administration settlement with the IRS was announced including a new $1.8 billion weaponization fund for “political prisoners,” Texans are renewing their call...
Op-Ed: Illinois is closed for business

Op-Ed: Illinois is closed for business

By Alan Jernigan and Joshua MeyerThe Center Square The policies coming from Springfield send a clear message: Illinois is closed for business. While other states enact pro-growth policies and create...
Illinois Quick Hits: Proposal would allow two-year, online car registration

Illinois Quick Hits: Proposal would allow two-year, online car registration

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie has filed legislation she says will make the vehicle registration process...