April 24, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: State gaming board renew Rockford casino license

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has renewed Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s license for four years, retroactive to January 2026.

The Rockford casino’s license was the first to be authorized by the state’s gaming expansion law in 2019.

At its meeting Thursday, the board also issued a number of casino supplier renewals, video gaming licenses and sports wagering approvals.

ALLEGED GANG MEMBER FACES FIREARMS CHARGE

An alleged Chicago gang member is being held on a federal firearms charge after a U.S. District Court judge reversed a federal magistrate judge’s order to release the suspect on bond.

Prosecutors say Alexander Martinez Quiroz, 35, recorded himself firing shots from a handgun while standing in front of a Chicago building in December 2025.

As a previously convicted felon, Martinez Quiroz was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

INDIVIDUAL TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER BARRICADE SITUATION IN JACKSONVILLE

No injuries have been reported after a reported domestic disturbance and barricade situation in Jacksonville.

Local officers responded to a home around 1 a.m. Friday and reported that an armed subject was alone and uncooperative.

After Illinois State Police crisis negotiators and SWAT officers arrived, the individual exited the residence around 11:30 a.m. and was taken into custody for medical evaluation.

FORMER STATE POLICE OFFICER ORDERED TO PAY RESTITUTION FOR LOAN FRAUD

A former Illinois State Police officer has been sentenced to two years of probation and 30 hours of public service and ordered to pay $41,664 in restitution after he was convicted of loan fraud.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said John Sievers, 52, of Chicago fraudulently received two loans through the federal Paycheck Protection Program in 2021.

NEW TROOPERS WELCOMED

Twenty new troopers have graduated from Cadet Class 152 at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield.

Following a graduation ceremony Friday, the new troopers were scheduled to report to three ISP locations around the state on Sunday.

ELDERLY MAN FACES CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIALS CHARGES

An 88-year-old man is charged with possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials in Morgan County. Illinois State Police arrested Robert Crowe of Jacksonville on Thursday.

Anonymous tips of child sexual abuse materials can be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Responses due in Virginia redistricting appeal

Responses due in Virginia redistricting appeal

By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Responses are due by 5 p.m. Thursday in Virginia’s emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court over the commonwealth’s congressional redistricting dispute, as outside groups...
Illinois Republicans blame taxes, lawsuits after Morton Salt exits Chicago

Illinois Republicans blame taxes, lawsuits after Morton Salt exits Chicago

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Republican lawmakers are warning that the departure of iconic salt producer Morton Salt from Chicago is...
Data center regulations weighed; some worry over jobs, energy, taxes

Data center regulations weighed; some worry over jobs, energy, taxes

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Major bills in both the state Senate and House may heavily regulate data centers in the state....
Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for financial transparency

Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for financial transparency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report ranks Illinois 46 out of 50 states for financial transparency, partly due to the...
Solutions differ for Chicago Public Schools' potential $1B deficit

Solutions differ for Chicago Public Schools’ potential $1B deficit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says the city’s public schools could face a $1 billion budget deficit if...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against trucking industry

U.S. Supreme Court rules against trucking industry

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision Thursday, agreed that states can protect individuals injured in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Dems look at Chicago for national conventions

Illinois Quick Hits: Dems look at Chicago for national conventions

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Democrat National Convention’s committee on site selection visited Chicago this week, again considered the city for...
Judge sets up high stakes baby formula NEC trial vs Mead Johnson

Judge sets up high stakes baby formula NEC trial vs Mead Johnson

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge has potentially cleared the way for another trial against pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement maker Mead Johnson & Co. over...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Offensive Explosion Powers Casey-Westfield to 20-12 Victory Over Newton

CASEY, IL – In a high-scoring conference showdown, the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team outlasted Newton in a 20-12 offensive marathon on Tuesday. The Warriors' lineup was relentless, racking up 20 hits...
Illinois Quick Hits: Home insurance regulations approved by Illinois Senate

Illinois Quick Hits: Home insurance regulations approved by Illinois Senate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill to regulate homeowners insurance rates will be up for consideration in the Illinois House after...
Illinois Senate passes bill to regulate auto insurance rates

Illinois Senate passes bill to regulate auto insurance rates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate has approved legislation to regulate auto insurance rates, but a former Illinois Department of...
Op-Ed: The FAA's O'Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition

Op-Ed: The FAA’s O’Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition

By Mario H. Lopez | Hispanic Leadership FundThe Center Square At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, one of the nation's most critical travel hubs and a gateway for millions of passengers...
Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions

Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Based on the multiple billions of dollars lost to scams and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults...

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas tops $5 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now $5.03 in Illinois,...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Newton Shuts Out Casey-Westfield in Conference Clash

CASEY, IL – A stellar pitching performance by C. Barthelme led Newton to a 3-0 victory over Casey-Westfield in Monday’s conference baseball matchup. Barthelme was nearly untouchable on the mound, tossing...