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

Minnesota sues Trump administration over $243M Medicaid funding pause

Minnesota sues Trump administration over $243M Medicaid funding pause

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota announced Tuesday it is suing the federal government for withholding $243 million in Medicaid payments. State officials say the move puts health care coverage...

WATCH: Pritzker denies flying with Epstein

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he never met Jeffery Epstein and was never on a plane with the late sex offender. The governor made the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Alleged Sinaloa boss indicted

Illinois Quick Hits: Alleged Sinaloa boss indicted

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted an alleged Sinaloa Cartel boss on drug, firearm and...
Coroners warn bill renaming fentanyl overdoses could distort death certificates

Coroners warn bill renaming fentanyl overdoses could distort death certificates

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers want to rebrand fentanyl deaths as “poisoning” instead of “overdose,” but coroners say the...
New missile attacks in Iran as Trump administration set to update Congress

New missile attacks in Iran as Trump administration set to update Congress

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Israel and the U.S. launched new missile attacks into Iran on Tuesday as the Trump administration is set to brief members of the U.S. House...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago advances in bid for 2028 DNC

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago advances in bid for 2028 DNC

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago is one of five cities in the running to hold the 2028 Democratic National Convention. The...
Congressional Perks: Lawmakers billed taxpayers for limousine services

Congressional Perks: Lawmakers billed taxpayers for limousine services

By Mark StricherzThe Center Square A number of U.S. representatives like to be driven in style, billing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars for limo service from their office accounts,...
Casey Westfield School Board.1

Casey-Westfield Board Approves 3.5% Admin Raises, Hires New Band Director

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board approved employment contracts and set salary increases for the district's administration for the upcoming fiscal year....
marshall city graphic logo.2

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Marshall City Council for February 23, 2026

City of Marshall City Council Meeting | February 23, 2026 The regular meeting of the City of Marshall City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February...
Public school test scores continue to decline since pandemic

Public school test scores continue to decline since pandemic

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Academic achievement in U.S. public schools continues to fall behind pre-pandemic levels, with national test data showing a persistent decline in math and reading scores...
Southwestern states react to U.S. airstrikes in Iran

Southwestern states react to U.S. airstrikes in Iran

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Politicians and others in the Southwest remain divided over U.S. airstrikes in Iran. The Operation Epic Fury strikes began over the weekend and were in...
Appeals court won't delay tariff refunds

Appeals court won’t delay tariff refunds

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal appeals court on Monday rejected the Trump administration's request to delay a step toward granting tariff refunds. The government had asked for a...
Oil, gas prices jump as Iran war disrupts Middle East output

Oil, gas prices jump as Iran war disrupts Middle East output

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square U.S. and global oil and gas prices surged higher Monday as concerns grew that attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran could spiral into...
Number of service members killed in action rises to six

Number of service members killed in action rises to six

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The number of American service members killed in action as part of Operation Epic Fury has climbed from four to six, as Secretary of State...
Bill filed to create Illinois Epstein Files Investigation Commission

Bill filed to create Illinois Epstein Files Investigation Commission

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state lawmaker is proposing a commission to investigate the ties that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s...