October 17, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: ICE ordered to wear body cameras; Fed’s Beige Book released

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

ICE ordered to wear body cameras

A U.S. District Court judge in Chicago has ordered federal immigration enforcement officers to wear body cameras while performing their duties.

Judge Sara Ellis issued a temporary restraining order last week to limit federal authorities’ use of tear gas and other measures to disperse protesters.

The judge updated the order Thursday to include the body camera mandate.

Camera funds announced for local police

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board has announced the opening of the application period for the Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Camera Grant.

This grant provides over $56 million in state taxpayer funding to equip police agencies across Illinois with video technology.

Individual awards of up to $3 million are available through the program.

Fed’s Beige Book released

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says economic activity in the Fed’s Seventh District was little changed in the latest reporting period.

The Beige Book released Wednesday showed declines in business spending and manufacturing activity, and increases in consumer spending and real estate activity.

Employment was flat, prices rose moderately and wages went up modestly.

The Chicago Fed covers parts of five Midwestern states.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield Board of Education for Jan. 26, 2026

Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 The Casey-Westfield Board of Education met on Monday, January 26, 2026, to handle annual financial business and personnel matters. The Board...
Casey Westfield Warriors logo graphic

Casey-Westfield FCCLA Ranked No. 1 in Region for Service Hours

Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) has been recognized as the top school...
Screenshot 2026-02-04 at 2.25.33 PM

Senate Bill Secures $1 Million for Casey Sewer Improvements

Casey City Council Meeting | Feb. 2, 2026 Article Summary: Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee announced that a federal budget bill passed by the Senate includes $1 million in community...
EXCLUSIVE: 5 largest U.S. cities don’t have enough money to pay bills: report

EXCLUSIVE: 5 largest U.S. cities don’t have enough money to pay bills: report

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The five largest cities in the United States, all led by Democrats, did not have enough money to pay their bills in 2024, according to...
INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues

INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues

By Jared StrongThe Center Square After concerns were raised about spending on DEI, the University of Wisconsin-Madison shuttered a department but kept most of the staff and their titles working...
Casey Westfield School Board.3

Board Approves Updated School Resource Officer Agreement

Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board approved an updated intergovernmental agreement with the City of Casey Police Department regarding the School...
Screenshot 2026-02-04 at 2.25.17 PM

Casey Advances Housing Strategy with Land Bank Transfers and Inspection Contract

Casey City Council Meeting | Feb. 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey City Council has approved the transfer of vacant city-owned lots to the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority and...
Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis

Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago finished fiscal year 2024 with a $41.1 billion gap between the money it has available...
Trump seeks $1B from Harvard in federal funding dispute

Trump seeks $1B from Harvard in federal funding dispute

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square President Donald Trump is now seeking a $1 billion payment from Harvard University as part of an effort to resolve an ongoing dispute with the...
Lawmakers react to U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Prop. 50

Lawmakers react to U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Prop. 50

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are responding to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Wednesday to not hear an appeal challenging the...

WATCH: Senators slam fraud, call for welfare scrutiny in Minnesota

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Senators on Wednesday called for more scrutiny over welfare payments and railed against allegations of fraud in Minnesota and across the country. The senators...
Nurses demand inclusion in professional degree definition

Nurses demand inclusion in professional degree definition

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The American Nurses Association is urging the public to call for nurses to be added back into the definition of “professional degrees” after the Trump...
Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions for the state’s Democratic and Republican...
Trump tells Iranian leaders they 'should be very worried'

Trump tells Iranian leaders they ‘should be very worried’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Iran’s leadership “should be very worried,” President Donald Trump warned Wednesday amid conflicting reports that talks between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic had been...
Illinois Quick Hits: Group files FOIA lawsuit vs. Pritzker

Illinois Quick Hits: Group files FOIA lawsuit vs. Pritzker

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The suit...