September 11, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Freedom Caucus remembers Kirk; new chief judge for Cook County

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Freedom Caucus remembers Kirk

The Illinois Freedom Caucus says members are “devastated and horrified” by the murder of conservative radio and podcast host Charlie Kirk.

Caucus members say Kirk was a Christian, a husband, a father and a patriot who helped advance conservatism in his home state.

Kirk was born in Illinois and launched Turning Point USA in the Land of Lincoln.

ISP asks for help with Decatur homicide investigation

The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 5 is asking for the public’s assistance with the death investigation of 51-year-old James E. Taylor of Decatur.

Taylor was reported missing on May 12, 2023 and was found dead seven days later in a rural area near his home.

ISP special agents are investigating the death as a homicide.

New chief judge for Cook County

Longtime Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans is on his way out.

Judges in the county’s circuit court Wednesday elected Charles Beach over Evans, who was seeking his ninth term, by a vote of 144 to 109.

Beach’s first term is slated to begin Dec. 1.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Flint, Detroit top list of most-affordable U.S. cities for homebuyers

Flint, Detroit top list of most-affordable U.S. cities for homebuyers

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Flint and Detroit rank as the two most-affordable cities in the nation for homebuyers, according to a new WalletHub report. The analysis compared 300 U.S....
SCOTUS turns away Palatine HS teacher fired over anti-BLM Facebook posts

SCOTUS turns away Palatine HS teacher fired over anti-BLM Facebook posts

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineeThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will not review lower courts' decisions finding a suburban school district did not violate the constitutional rights of...
WATCH: Critics say political protests interfere with education

WATCH: Critics say political protests interfere with education

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square As student walkouts and protests tied to immigration enforcement increase nationwide, education experts are raising concerns about declining civics proficiency among K-12 students and the...
Congressional candidates discuss agriculture, healthcare

Congressional candidates discuss agriculture, healthcare

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Editor's note: This is the part of a series of stories that are appearing this week on the June 2 primary in California. The stories...
Trump admin still releasing minors into U.S., well below Biden era

Trump admin still releasing minors into U.S., well below Biden era

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration is still releasing unaccompanied alien children (UAC)s into the U.S., although the numbers are dramatically lower than the unprecedented numbers released by...
TrumpRx expanding, offering generic prescription drugs

TrumpRx expanding, offering generic prescription drugs

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square TrumpRx is expanding to about seven times its current size, adding more than 600 generic prescription drugs to the months-old direct-to-consumer government website, the president...
Trump pauses planned military strikes against Iran, cites further negotiations

Trump pauses planned military strikes against Iran, cites further negotiations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Renewed military strikes against Iran have been postponed once again, President Donald Trump said Monday. In a Truth Social post, the president says a military...
Consumer advocates say Nicor’s rate hike is unreasonable, profit-driven

Consumer advocates say Nicor’s rate hike is unreasonable, profit-driven

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Consumer advocates have signaled heavy opposition to a proposed $221 million rate hike by Nicor Gas, arguing...
Johnson’s office counters Pritzker claim Chicago mayor 'has no plan' to keep Bears

Johnson’s office counters Pritzker claim Chicago mayor ‘has no plan’ to keep Bears

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has no plan to keep the Bears in the...
Pritzker: Trump war to blame for high gas prices

Pritzker: Trump war to blame for high gas prices

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says everyone is paying more for gas because of President Donald Trump’s military action...
Proposed law would require women’s restroom on construction sites

Proposed law would require women’s restroom on construction sites

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Construction companies across Illinois may be required by law to provide female employees with separate bathroom facilities...
Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens

Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Today is the first day of the filing period for independents and new party candidates seeking state...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Pitching Duel Leads Casey-Westfield to Narrow 1-0 Shutout Over Danville

In a classic pitchers' duel on Saturday, the Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team edged out Danville for a hard-fought 1-0 victory in a non-conference home game. The game was defined by...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Offense Explodes in 16-1 Rout of Villa Grove

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team put on an offensive clinic on Saturday, overwhelming Villa Grove in a 16-1 victory that saw the Warriors rack up 14 hits and 16 runs...
Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE 'doxxing'

Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE ‘doxxing’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, who serves on the Immigration and Human Rights Committee, is calling...