October 20, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Davis Gates selected to lead IFT; new veterans facilities in Quincy

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Davis Gates selected to lead IFT

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates is now also the president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Union delegates elected Gates to replace outgoing president Dan Montgomery on Saturday.

The IFT is planning a statewide lobby day and press conference in Springfield Oct. 29, the second-to-last day of the General Assembly’s fall veto session.

New veterans facilities in Quincy

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Capital Development Board have announced the opening of a new veterans home in Quincy.

Agency officials say the renovation and rehabilitation project provides a 260,000 square foot long-term care home for 210 residents and an 80,000 square foot independent living facility for 88 residents.

Human trafficking suppression operation

Illinois State Police reported the arrest of eight people during a human trafficking suppression operation in Williamson County last week.

Seven of the eight individuals arrested were charged with traveling to meet a minor and indecent solicitation.

If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Mrs. Davis' First Grade class.1

Building Blocks of Literacy: First Graders Master Reading and Writing

In Mrs. Davis's first-grade classroom, students are busy building the foundational skills for a lifetime of learning. The young readers and writers have been focused on mastering phonics, specifically highlighting...
WA Dems blame GOP for government shutdown; 1 million in state could lose SNAP benefits

WA Dems blame GOP for government shutdown; 1 million in state could lose SNAP benefits

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer say it’s not Democrats, but Republicans, who are responsible for keeping the federal...
Officials react to allegations of civilians impersonating ICE

Officials react to allegations of civilians impersonating ICE

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square One San Diego County supervisor is concerned about civilians posing as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents using fake ICE clothing and tactical gear and...
WATCH: Bonta visits food bank amid lawsuit over CalFresh

WATCH: Bonta visits food bank amid lawsuit over CalFresh

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Thursday he is continuing to push for federal emergency contingency funding to restore millions of Californians’ food benefits as...
IL taxpayers to pay $20M for food banks as SNAP funding lapses start Saturday

IL taxpayers to pay $20M for food banks as SNAP funding lapses start Saturday

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers are going to cover $20 million in food subsidies to food banks across the state....
Poll: 7 in 10 of Americans are against mail-order abortion without a doctor visit

Poll: 7 in 10 of Americans are against mail-order abortion without a doctor visit

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A national poll shows that seven in 10 “likely voters” think a doctor visit for an abortion pill prescription should be required and many are...
Trump's plan to re-start nuclear weapons testing faces criticism

Trump’s plan to re-start nuclear weapons testing faces criticism

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's plan to restart testing of nuclear weapons drew concern from some foreign nations, disarmament groups and Democrats. Trump broke with decades of...
Illinois quick hits: Corrections director appointment approved; Clean Slate Act passes

Illinois quick hits: Corrections director appointment approved; Clean Slate Act passes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Corrections director appointment approved After more than two years of being appointed, Latoya Hughes was approved by the Illinois Senate to...
Tyler Robinson's in-person hearing delayed to January

Tyler Robinson’s in-person hearing delayed to January

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Utah County in-person hearing scheduled Thursday for Tyler James Robinson, 22 - charged with aggravated murder in the death of conservative leader Charlie Kirk...
GOP may have to rewrite govt funding bill as shutdown hits 1 month mark

GOP may have to rewrite govt funding bill as shutdown hits 1 month mark

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ongoing government shutdown has dragged on for a month as Senate Democrats have blocked Republicans’ temporary funding bill more than a dozen times. With...

WATCH: Clean Slate Act passes Illinois legislature despite opposition

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House has approved a Senate bill that modifies the Clean Slate Act to seal certain...
Illinois trucker: Deadly California crash exposes lawbreaking in trucking industry

Illinois trucker: Deadly California crash exposes lawbreaking in trucking industry

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois trucking company owner says the deadly California semi-truck crash involving an illegal immigrant driver...
Massive AI supercomputing systems being built in Illinois, Tennessee

Massive AI supercomputing systems being built in Illinois, Tennessee

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While the state of Texas and private investors are advancing artificial intelligence developments in partnership with...
Advocates slam Vance's call for less legal immigration

Advocates slam Vance’s call for less legal immigration

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Legal immigration advocates on Thursday slammed U.S. Vice President JD Vance's call for a reduction in legal immigration Wednesday night while speaking at an event...
Prolonged shutdown hits pain points for some veterans, VA employees

Prolonged shutdown hits pain points for some veterans, VA employees

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Nearly 37,000 Department of Veterans Affairs employees have been furloughed or are working without pay as the prolonged government shutdown continues and some VA services...