Illinois Quick Hits: Justice Department moves against Evanston reparations program

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a motion to intervene in a civil rights lawsuit challenging Evanston’s reparations program.

Judicial Watch filed the class action suit in May 2024, challenging Evanston’s use of race as an eligibility requirement for the program making $25,000 direct cash payments to Black residents and descendants of Black residents who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969.

The Justice Department’s proposed complaint in intervention names the city of Evanston as a defendant and alleges that the program violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Fair Housing Act.

PRITZKER SIGNS MEDICAID OMNIBUS

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that provides $110 million in state taxpayer funds during fiscal year 2027 to expand and invest in Medicaid services.

According to a statement from the governor’s office, Senate Bill 3365 builds a foundation to protect patients in anticipation of federal legislation impacting the health care system in Illinois.

SUBURBAN MAN GETS 16 YEARS FOR FIREARM, DRUG OFFENSES

A Prospect Heights man has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for trafficking weapons and drugs. P

rosecutors say Efrain Jacobo, 44, sold methamphetamine, cocaine and seven firearms to undercover officers in Joliet during the fall of 2024. In addition, law enforcement officers found more than 150,000 grams of meth and 1,800 grams of fentanyl during separate searches in Bolingbrook and Wheeling.

Jacobo pleaded guilty earlier this year.

SUBURBAN MAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORN

A federal judge has sentenced a Markham man to 33 years and nine months in prison for operating an online chat group that shared large amounts of child pornography.

Government attorneys say Christopher Martin, 46, operated a group chat on the Kik mobile application and required members to share photos and videos.

Martin pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornography earlier this year.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

In-home care rule change proposal generates more than 1,500 responses

In-home care rule change proposal generates more than 1,500 responses

By Alan WootenThe Center Square More than 1,500 responses were generated by Independent Women in support of reversing 2013 changes helping make in-home care more affordable and accessible to seniors....
Polis calls for return of Victims of Crime Act grant funding

Polis calls for return of Victims of Crime Act grant funding

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is calling for the Trump administration to end restrictions it has put on Victims of Crime Act grants. The funding in...
New Fire Engine

Casey Fire District Approves $400,000 Purchase of New Fire Engine

Article Summary: The Casey Fire Protection District Board of Trustees authorized a major fleet upgrade by approving the $400,000 purchase of a new fire engine from a neighboring district. To...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Clark County Board Faces Public Backlash Over Solar Projects

Article Summary: During its July 18 meeting, the Clark County Board faced a wave of public criticism regarding the recently approved Moonshine and Summit Solar Projects, with residents and experts...
Screenshot 2025-09-03 at 8.02.17 PM

Casey Continues Sidewalk Replacements on Main Street, Plans Tree Removal

Article Summary: The City of Casey is continuing its sidewalk replacement program with a current focus on Main Street, though the budget for the year is nearly depleted. The city...
Billions in investment, thousands of jobs coming to RGV from LNG facility, pipeline

Billions in investment, thousands of jobs coming to RGV from LNG facility, pipeline

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – Billions of dollars worth of investment and thousands of jobs are coming to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) after Liquified...
Bessent says Federal Reserve 'must change course'

Bessent says Federal Reserve ‘must change course’

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Federal Reserve "must change course" on monetary policy in his most public comments on the central bank since the...
Legislation to end cashless bail in D.C., nationwide introduced in Senate

Legislation to end cashless bail in D.C., nationwide introduced in Senate

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly two weeks after President Donald Trump issued executive orders to take steps to eliminate cashless bail...
Chicago ranks near bottom in survey of best and worst run cities

Chicago ranks near bottom in survey of best and worst run cities

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The city of Chicago ranks near the bottom in the new Best & Worst-run cities in...
WATCH: Pritzker to sue ‘immediately’ if Trump sends guard; GOP AG candidate profile

WATCH: Pritzker to sue ‘immediately’ if Trump sends guard; GOP AG candidate profile

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 delivers the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Northwestern president resigns; unemployment claims rise

Illinois quick hits: Northwestern president resigns; unemployment claims rise

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square U OF I Medicine investigated for antisemitism University of Illinois College of Medicine officials have until Monday, Sept. 8, to produce...
WATCH: Pritzker: Will go to court 'immediately' if Trump deploys National Guard

WATCH: Pritzker: Will go to court ‘immediately’ if Trump deploys National Guard

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will go to court if President Donald Trump sends the National...
Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed

Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan attempts another appeal Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is making another attempt to stay out of prison. Madigan filed...
IL US Rep: Failing schools cost billions in 'epidemic' of poor proficiency

IL US Rep: Failing schools cost billions in ‘epidemic’ of poor proficiency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says students’ failure to learn basic reading and math has major economic consequences. During...
Plaintiffs weigh steps after appeals court upholds transit concealed carry ban

Plaintiffs weigh steps after appeals court upholds transit concealed carry ban

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plaintiffs in a case challenging the prohibition of concealed carry on Illinois mass transit are reviewing their...