October 17, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: ICE ordered to wear body cameras; Fed’s Beige Book released

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

ICE ordered to wear body cameras

A U.S. District Court judge in Chicago has ordered federal immigration enforcement officers to wear body cameras while performing their duties.

Judge Sara Ellis issued a temporary restraining order last week to limit federal authorities’ use of tear gas and other measures to disperse protesters.

The judge updated the order Thursday to include the body camera mandate.

Camera funds announced for local police

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board has announced the opening of the application period for the Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Camera Grant.

This grant provides over $56 million in state taxpayer funding to equip police agencies across Illinois with video technology.

Individual awards of up to $3 million are available through the program.

Fed’s Beige Book released

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says economic activity in the Fed’s Seventh District was little changed in the latest reporting period.

The Beige Book released Wednesday showed declines in business spending and manufacturing activity, and increases in consumer spending and real estate activity.

Employment was flat, prices rose moderately and wages went up modestly.

The Chicago Fed covers parts of five Midwestern states.

Latest News Stories

WATCH: WA Senate candidates differ on taxes, parental rights, protecting girls’ sports

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square With less than two weeks before the general election, two candidates for one of the most closely watched races in Washington state are sharing their...

Newsom, Bonta vow suit over National Guard deployment

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication. Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed concerns that President Donald Trump is sending federal agents to...

U.S. nuclear stockpile hit with shutdown furloughs

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square All 68 federal employees at a Nevada nuclear stockpile site were furloughed in the wake of the U.S. government shutdown. Some contractors remain at the...

Spokane police chief ordered officers not to work with FBI after June 11 protest

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall directed officers not to work with the FBI in the days following the June 11 immigration protests, according to records...

Treasury sanctions Russian oil companies, calls for ceasefire

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against two Russian oil companies on Wednesday. The department cited Russia's "lack of serious commitment" to ending the war...

DOJ: Illegal immigrant charged with assault

By Dave MasonThe Center Square An illegal immigrant from Mexico was expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday following an arrest in which he rammed law enforcement vehicles before...

Manufacturing advocate: ‘Follow the actions’ with Pritzker on taxes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he prefers growing the economy over raising taxes, but a small and midsize...

Illinois quick hits: National Guard restraining order extended; economic growth above trend

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square National Guard restraining order extended Following an agreement between the state of Illinois and the federal government, U.S. District Court Judge...

US and Qatar say EU climate regulations could impact LNG supplies

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Energy is urging the heads of State in the European Union (EU) to repeal or significantly change climate regulations adopted in...

U.S. debt tops $38 trillion for first time

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. national debt reached $38 trillion amid a partial federal government that costs taxpayers $400 million daily to pay furloughed federal workers to stay...

Trump defends tariffs, tells beef producers to lower prices

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Cattle producers called on President Donald Trump to reverse course on a plan to import beef from Argentina as prices for the grocery store staple...

VA secretary pleads with Democrats to end the shutdown

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square As part of a visit to the Washington, D.C., veterans’ medical center Wednesday, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins publicly urged Democrats in Congress...

WATCH: Pritzker opposes redistricting Illinois mid-cycle as other states move forward

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The prospect of Illinois legislators changing the state’s congressional maps before the 2026 election seems unlikely with...

Record-long govt shutdown threatens food, early childhood education assistance

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats are set to block Republicans’ government funding bill for the 12th time Wednesday, keeping the federal government shut down despite tens of millions...

Sen. Scott Wiener announces he’s running for Pelosi’s seat

By Dave MasonThe Center Square State Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat and vocal opponent of the Trump administration, announced Wednesday he’s running for U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s seat....

Casey Local