January 20, 2026/

Illinois quick hits: Bovino bounty trial to begin; Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case; Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Bovino bounty trial to begin

Jury selection is complete for the trial of a man accused of putting a bounty on U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, was charged last fall with soliciting the murder of a senior law enforcement official. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago.

Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case

A southern Illinois district judge has sentenced a Kentucky man to 15 years in federal prison for possessing more than 150 grams of meth and a firearm as a felon. James W. Towery, 45, of Salem, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute meth and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say law enforcement found a handgun along with the drugs during a traffic stop in Massac County on March 11, 2024.

Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments

Gov. J.B. Pritzker held a roundtable discussion in Chicago on Tuesday to discuss the impact of federal government actions on Illinoisans. Pritzker said manufacturers feel it when tariffs go up and farmers pay the price for trade wars. President Donald Trump held a White House briefing Tuesday afternoon and said Democrats created the affordability problem and his administration is solving it.

Latest News Stories

Emmy Kusterman, a fifth-grader for the Lady Braves, posted a strong time of 15:35.38 to finish 21st overall at Wednesday's cross country meet in Toledo. (Photo by Terri Cox)

Lady Braves, Braves run at Cumberland Invite

Featured Photo: Emmy Kusterman, a fifth-grader for the Lady Braves, posted a strong time of 15:35.38 to finish 21st overall at Wednesday's cross country meet in Toledo. (Photo by Terri...

Maine residential Amazon delivery includes 250 election ballots, rice, plates

By Chris WadeThe Center Square Maine Republicans are calling for a criminal investigation after hundreds of mail ballots for the November election were mistakenly sent to a woman in an...

WATCH: Labor leaving agreed-bill process has consequences, Illinois legislator warns

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he understands why labor leaders are walking away from the agreed-bill process,...

Warriors defensive lineman Fred Thomas wraps up the Lawrenceville quarterback for a sack. The play was a crucial strip-sack that led to a fumble recovery and Casey-Westfield's first possession of the game. (Photo by Terri Cox)

Warriors Dominate Lawrenceville, Improve to 5-0 and Clinch Playoff Berth

By Terri Cox | Staff Writer LAWRENCEVILLE - The Casey-Westfield Warriors traveled to Lawrenceville on Saturday afternoon, spoiling the Indians' Homecoming game at Loeb Field. The Warriors shined in all...

Casey Rotary Club welcomed District Governor John Calderon

The Casey Rotary Club welcomed District Governor 6490 John Calderon as the guest speaker for its Sept. 23 meeting at Richards Farm Restaurant. Calderon spoke about Rotary International’s continued effort...

WATCH: Illinois Republicans propose law putting distance between protesters, police

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois statehouse Republicans are pushing for a measure to give police conducting official business some distance from...

Economists: Bears’ Arlington Heights stadium won’t bring promised benefits

By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economists say that reports making large economic claims about a new Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights...

Trump-era move to limit prison unions draws fire from lawmakers and staff

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of President Donald Trump’s plan to scale back collective bargaining say union contracts raise taxpayer...

Illinois quick hits: Durbin declines award; nearly $1B in sports betting revenue

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Durbin declines award Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has decided not to receive an award from the Archdiocese of Chicago for...

WATCH: Trump, Pritzker trade barbs; U.S. Senate talks Chicago; partial government shutdown

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop airs the latest...

WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ‘loser’ as governor prepares for troop deployment lawsuit

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is a “loser” and that the city needs the...

Illinois quick hits: Quantum facility breaks ground; immigration group responds to raid

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Quantum facility breaks ground Ground is broken for the first project at the planned Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park at Quantum...

Bipartisan senators reintroduce H-1B visa reforms

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) — As the Trump administration’s recent efforts to reform the H-1B visa process by adding a one-time $100,000...

WATCH: Illinois student struggles continue as enrollments decline

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A public education advocacy group says Illinois students are still struggling with academic proficiency. Advance Illinois held...

Summer 2025 Graduates Announed

Lake Land College is pleased to announce the students who have graduated following completion of the Summer 2025 term. The 2025 Summer graduates are: Name Hometown Degree ...

« Previous
1
…
154
155
156
157
158
…
207
Next »