April 29, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says IBM’s new delivery center at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, fueled by state tax incentives, will create 750 new jobs.

According to IBM’s first quarter 2026 earnings results announced last week, the company expects an increase of about $1 billion in year-over-year free cash flow in 2026.

PARK CITY POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE

A part-time Park City police officer is facing 10 felony charges after state police investigated him for aggravated criminal sexual abuse while on duty.

The Lake County State’s Attorney approved the charges against Patrick Cacho, 29, of Kenosha, Wisconsin on Tuesday.

REPORT SAYS CHICAGO IS SECOND-PRICIEST CITY FOR SMOKES

Chicago is second only to New York on a list of America’s most expensive places to smoke.

Analysis by Ecigone found that a pack of Marlboro Red costs $18.00 in Chicago. The same pack costs $7.95 in North Carolina, the cheapest state, and $8.03 in Missouri.

According to the report, the ten most expensive cities are located where state legislatures have consistently used tobacco taxation as both a public health tool and a source of revenue.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Justice Kennedy talks about 'Life, Law & Liberty'

WATCH: Justice Kennedy talks about ‘Life, Law & Liberty’

By Dave MasonThe Center Square It’s important to understand what the framers of the U.S. Constitution wrote and intended, but the U.S. Supreme Court’s work goes beyond that, according to...
WA congressman urges Senate to confirm Trump DOJ nominee ahead of Dec. 4 deadline

WA congressman urges Senate to confirm Trump DOJ nominee ahead of Dec. 4 deadline

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Wash., sent a letter on Wednesday urging the Senate to confirm Pete Serrano as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of...
Judge who blocked Trump was major Democrat player as trial lawyer

Judge who blocked Trump was major Democrat player as trial lawyer

By Daniel Fisher | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The federal judge who ordered President Trump to continue paying food-stamp benefits owes his fortune to cigarettes and Democratic political ties forged...
Arizona recommends measles vaccine during outbreak

Arizona recommends measles vaccine during outbreak

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Arizona is recommending vaccinations to combat the state's worst measles outbreak since the 1990s. The latest update this week showed the state has 111 cases...
Govt. shutdown leads to over 800 flights cancelled, number growing

Govt. shutdown leads to over 800 flights cancelled, number growing

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown drags into its 38th day and forced flight reductions begin taking effect, the number of daily flight cancellations Americans are experiencing...
Illinois approves $1.5B transit package, funding for long-delayed projects

Illinois approves $1.5B transit package, funding for long-delayed projects

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers approved a $1.5 billion transit package, including long-delayed Moline-to-Chicago rail, hailed by Democrats as...
Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold partial SNAP payment

Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold partial SNAP payment

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Supreme Court said Friday that the Trump administration could withhold a partial payment for the federal food benefits program amid the longest-ever government shutdown....
Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor's proposal would hinder employment;

Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor’s proposal would hinder employment;

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging...
Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 7.52.57 AM

Casey Council Approves Over $2.45 Million in Bills, Renews $1.6 Million in CDs

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 Article SummaryThe Casey City Council approved the payment of over $2.45 million in bills for October, a figure that includes a significant...
Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019

Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Since 2019, partisan and special interest caucuses and coalitions in the U.S. House spent at least $50 million for staff, food, travel and other expenses,...
FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere

FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As Christine Finch helped her father, Graham Finch, gather his luggage at the San Francisco International Airport, she was worried about how flight delays caused...
Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists

Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal judge has barred federal agents from U.S. Border Patrol and ICE from conducting crowd control actions anywhere in northern...
Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding

Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The CEnter Square) – The latest education statistics indicate stagnant proficiency for public school students in Illinois, despite dramatic increases in...
Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill

Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A government watchdog group has filed ethics complaints against more than a dozen Democratic legislators in Colorado. Common Cause alleges the legislators had $25,000 in...
Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption

Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Though he has said he believes the company's position would lead to legally "absurd" results, a federal judge will still allow freight...