September 24, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Officer charged in straw gun case

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By The Center Square
The Center Square

Officer charged in straw gun case

A Chicago police officer faces charges for making gun purchases on behalf of someone else transporting them to Mexico.

Federal prosecutors say 27-year-old Kevin Rodriguez used his status as a police officer to purchase semi-automatic firearms in Indiana and Illinois and then give them to Diego Valdez, who is charged with conspiracy and knowingly receiving a straw purchased firearm.

Deer chronic wasting disease testing

Hunters are reminded about locations where deer can be tested for chronic wasting disease, or CWD.

The free of charge service through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources allows hunter-harvested deer to be tracked for wildlife biologists to monitor the distribution of CWD throughout the state.

More information can be found on the Hunt Illinois app.

First Military Police graduate

The Herrin Police Department is being recognized for being the first recipient of the Military Police Reciprocity Program.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board announced the swearing in of officer Kevin Bailey as the first hire in the state certified by the new program enacted earlier this year.

Illinois joined 18 other states in May, allowing for Military Police veterans to qualify for law enforcement training requirements.

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