December 17, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Bovino thanks police; fire assistance grants available

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Bovino thanks police

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino has expressed his appreciation to police officers in Chicago and Evanston.

In a social media post Wednesday, Bovino thanked the Chicago and Evanston departments and said they provided assistance in preventing “violent mobs” from assaulting CBP law enforcement officers as they conducted Title 8 immigration duties.

Fire assistance grants available

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for federal Volunteer Fire Assistance grants through Feb. 16, 2026.

The federal funds are passed through IDNR to aid fire departments in the purchase of new equipment and funding for training.

In 2025, the program awarded $322,893 for 48 Illinois projects.

Deer harvest totals

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7, down from 82,496 deer harvested during the 2024 firearm season.

Adams County had by far the highest total of deer harvested in 2025 with 2,291.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cook County, Chicago declare flood disaster Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have issued respective disaster...
Doudna Logo

Doudna Fine Arts Center 2025/2026 Season Announcement

The 2025/2026 season kicks off at the end of the month! Check out everything we have in store for you. You can find the link below to buy tickets. Doudna...
Screenshot

Search for New Casey Utility Superintendent Narrows to Five Candidates

The search for Casey’s next utility superintendent is moving into its final stages, with the city narrowing a pool of 25 applicants down to five finalists. The candidates are vying...
Casey Rotary Logo.2

Daughhetee, Winnett inducted into Casey Rotary Club

Casey’s Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee (left) was inducted into the Casey Rotary Club by visiting District Assistant Governor Bill Malone at the July 29 regular...
WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move

WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Gov. J.B. Pritzker jokes on national TV that Illinois’ congressional maps were drawn by kindergartners, a...
Screenshot

Casey Cracks Down on Blighted Properties, Considers Parental Responsibility Ordinance

The City of Casey is intensifying its efforts to combat blight, taking formal action against a dilapidated property on East Madison Avenue and considering new measures to hold parents accountable...
Lake Land College.6

Lake Land College Invests Over $63,000 in Grammarly AI Tool to Boost Student and Staff Writing Skills

Lake Land College is making a significant investment in artificial intelligence to support academic success, with the Board of Trustees approving a two-year, $63,750 contract for a campus-wide license for...
Screenshot

Casey Faces Utility Rate Hikes Amidst Inflation and Shrinking Customer Base

Casey residents can expect to see their utility bills rise in the near future as the city grapples with the dual pressures of inflation and a declining population. During a...
Casey illinois library.1.logo graphic

What’s Happening at the Library in August?

Tuesdays, August 5, 12, 19, & 26 - 1pm is BINGO with Renee! It is FREE and no registration is required. ALL are welcome. Thursday, August 7 - At 11am...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

Casey Council Approves $33.27 Million Appropriation Plan for FY 2026

The Casey City Council on Monday gave its final approval to a $33.27 million appropriation ordinance for the 2026 fiscal year. The spending plan, which sets the legal limit for...
Cecile Stephens

Cecile Stephens

May 19, 1939 - August 2, 2025 Cecile Stephens, 86, of Belton, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on August 2, 2025, after a brief illness. She was...
lake land college.3

Lake Land College Board Approves 3% Pay Raises, New Salary Structure for Staff

Many full-time and part-time employees at Lake Land College will see a 3% salary increase starting July 1, following a vote by the Board of Trustees to approve base salary...
lake land college.1

Lake Land College Backs 12-Year Extension for Mattoon’s Midtown TIF District

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has thrown its support behind a 12-year extension for the City of Mattoon's Midtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Project Area, a move...
Lake Land Effingham Tech Center.1

Lake Land College Celebrates Grand Opening of New Effingham Technology Center

Lake Land College officially opened the doors to its new Effingham Technology Center on Wednesday evening, welcoming hundreds of community members to explore the 100,000-square-foot facility that represents a major...
Eastern_Illinois_Panthers_logo.svg

EIU Leads OVC With 48 Academic Medal Of Honor Winners

On Friday it was announced that 349 Ohio Valley Conference student-athletes have earned the OVC Academic Medal of Honor for the 2024-25 academic year. It marks the second-highest total in...