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

WATCH: Supreme Court case could add to $10.8B midterm spending projection

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could issue a decision by July that could unleash billions more dollars into political campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections....
Lawmaker, officer: 'Blue Envelope" could help navigate autism during stops

Lawmaker, officer: ‘Blue Envelope” could help navigate autism during stops

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker who also serves in law enforcement says proposed legislation creating a “Blue Envelope”...
Senate GOP fails to halt welfare funding for non-citizens

Senate GOP fails to halt welfare funding for non-citizens

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans failed to halt over $5 billion in funding for refugees, with 20 GOP senators joining every Senate Democrat to continue providing costly...
Senate passes funding deal, sends to House for final approval

Senate passes funding deal, sends to House for final approval

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate sent a $1.2 trillion government funding package back to the House for approval Friday night, ensuring a partial government shutdown over the...
California group opposes property tax hike, billionaires' tax

California group opposes property tax hike, billionaires’ tax

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Officials with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association are concerned about efforts to raise property taxes on California’s homeowners, a representative of the organization told The...
Illinois quick hits: New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed

Illinois quick hits: New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed The newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court has been installed. Former appellate court justice...
High schools throughout California stage walkouts over ICE

High schools throughout California stage walkouts over ICE

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Hundreds of students at high schools throughout California held walkouts Friday over immigration raids and the law enforcement-involved deaths of two people in Minneapolis. Schools...
Pritzker celebrates expansion of French cheese maker in GOP leader’s district

Pritzker celebrates expansion of French cheese maker in GOP leader’s district

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is celebrating the expansion of a French cheese-making facility in Illinois House Republican Leader...

WATCH: WA GOP lawmaker asking Trump administration to investigate fraud allegations

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A Washington state lawmaker is asking President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate potential self-dealing and fraud within taxpayer subsidized programs...
IL Accountability Commission chair: “People need to be prosecuted”

IL Accountability Commission chair: “People need to be prosecuted”

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Accountability Commission is studying changes in federal immigration law enforcement after President Donald Trump’s border...
Graham blocks govt. funding vote over policy demands as deadline looms

Graham blocks govt. funding vote over policy demands as deadline looms

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With only hours before the federal government runs out of money, tensions are rising in the U.S. Senate as a handful of Republicans block a...
Trump sues the IRS for $10 billion

Trump sues the IRS for $10 billion

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump, his eldest two sons and the Trump organization have filed a lawsuit against the IRS, seeking at least $10 billion in damages...
Walz, Ellison to appear before House Oversight Committee

Walz, Ellison to appear before House Oversight Committee

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Amid allegations of widespread fraud in Minnesota, the U.S. House Oversight Committee said Friday that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will...
BREAKING: Don Lemon arrested for involvement in church attack

BREAKING: Don Lemon arrested for involvement in church attack

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal officials announced another series of arrests in connection with a protest that disrupted a Sunday morning church service in St. Paul on Jan. 18....
Lawmaker calls Pretti shooting an injustice, points to NRA statement as validation

Lawmaker calls Pretti shooting an injustice, points to NRA statement as validation

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square In a video circulating on social media, Illinois state Rep. Bob Morgan seized on comments from the National Rifle Association regarding the controversial shooting of...