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

Pritzker: Fair maps in Illinois would be 'disarming' to Democrats

Pritzker: Fair maps in Illinois would be ‘disarming’ to Democrats

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Democrats would be “disarming” if they agreed to fair maps state by...
NY appeals court overturns Trump's civil fraud penalty

NY appeals court overturns Trump’s civil fraud penalty

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A New York appeals court has tossed out a $454 million civil fraud verdict against Donald Trump and his family business over charges he broke...
Casey Police Graphic Logo

Casey Police Department to Add New Officer

Article Summary: The Casey Police Department will soon have a new officer on its roster after the City Council unanimously approved the hiring of Tommy Starks. The approval follows a...
States sue over Victims of Crime Act grant funding

States sue over Victims of Crime Act grant funding

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a 20-state coalition and Washington, D.C., suing the Trump administration over restrictions it has put on Victims of...
White House backs off hefty EU tariff threats, EU eliminates industrial tariffs

White House backs off hefty EU tariff threats, EU eliminates industrial tariffs

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square After striking a framework trade deal with the European Union in July, the White House added more details to what the agreement entails Thursday. Most...
Home sales up 2% in July as prices stayed nearly flat

Home sales up 2% in July as prices stayed nearly flat

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Home sales increased 2% last month after a lackluster spring selling season as prices cooled. Existing-home sales increased by 2% in July, according to a...
Parents who lost daughters at Camp Mystic: Their deaths were '100% preventable'

Parents who lost daughters at Camp Mystic: Their deaths were ‘100% preventable’

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Parents who lost their daughters from flood waters at Camp Mystic said their deaths were “100% preventable” and asked the legislature to implement mandatory safety...
Illinois quick hits: COVID fraud indictments issued; man sentenced for mailing fentanyl

Illinois quick hits: COVID fraud indictments issued; man sentenced for mailing fentanyl

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square COVID fraud indictments issued A federal grand jury has indicted four Chicago-area individuals accused of fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in...
Trump defunds California sex ed program over 'gender ideology'

Trump defunds California sex ed program over ‘gender ideology’

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration terminated a federal grant that provided funding for sex education classes in California. The federal government terminated the Personal Responsibility Education Program,...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 21st, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 21st, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from...
Texas House passes Congressional redistricting bill after absconding Dems return

Texas House passes Congressional redistricting bill after absconding Dems return

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After House Democrats absconded for more than two weeks in opposition to a Congressional redistricting bill, the Texas House on Wednesday passed the bill by...

Department of Education ends support for political activism

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education announced this week it is ending taxpayer-funded programs that supported political activism jobs on college campuses. The Department of Education...
Illinois trucker warns foreign firms faking logs, dodging rules, risking safety

Illinois trucker warns foreign firms faking logs, dodging rules, risking safety

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After a recent deadly crash in Florida and a crash in Illinois involving semi-trucks, an Illinois...
Illinois law mandates pharmacies to sell needles, sparking safety debate

Illinois law mandates pharmacies to sell needles, sparking safety debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Governor has signed House Bill 2589, which requires pharmacists to sell sterile hypodermic needles...
Report warns U.S. national debt predicted to pass $53 trillion by 2035

Report warns U.S. national debt predicted to pass $53 trillion by 2035

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square By fiscal year 2035, the national debt is set to surpass $53 trillion, or 120% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, according to a new...