January 13, 2026/

Illinois interstate shootings decline

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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – State police say the number of shootings on Illinois interstates dropped 31% to a total of 61 in 2025, down from 89 interstate shootings in 2024.

According to Illinois State Police, 2025 was the first year in roughly a decade with zero interstate shooting fatalities. ISP said air operations and automated license plate readers have been instrumental in identifying and tracking those committing crimes, as well as reducing crashes.

MEDICAL FRAUD CASE

A former operations manager for a suburban Chicago medical center has been indicted in connection with an alleged $900,000 fraud scheme.

Brandon Getzloff, 42, of Carol Stream has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors say Getzloff used procurement credit cards from the medical center to buy gift cards for himself and pay his personal bills from 2021 to 2024.

SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH OF DECLINING ILLINOIS SPORTS BETS

The Illinois Gaming Board’s October 2025 Sports Wagering Report showed 6.4 million fewer bets were placed across the state compared to October 2024, marking the second straight month when Illinois marked a 15% decrease.

September 2025 data was the first full month of activity reported following implementation of Illinois’ new per-wager tax on sports bets. The Sports Betting Alliance warned that Illinois’ high sports betting taxes are undermining the legal sports betting marketplace.

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