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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Report: Post-election audits in swing states insufficient

Report: Post-election audits in swing states insufficient

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A recent report analyzed the 2024 post-election audits of seven swing states, finding that many were “inadequate” and lacking “transparency.” In Michigan, it found that...
U.S. producer prices surge in July as tariffs increase costs

U.S. producer prices surge in July as tariffs increase costs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. wholesale inflation surged last month, a sign that President Donald Trump's tariffs are boosting costs and higher prices may be on the way. The...
Colorado sued over social media warnings for minors

Colorado sued over social media warnings for minors

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square An internet trade group filed a lawsuit against Colorado Thursday morning, challenging a new law that would require social media platforms to regularly send pop-up...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025

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 shares highlights from...
Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago business owners are now being forced to pay some of the highest commercial property taxes...
Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats An Adams County judge has rejected a lawsuit against 33 Texas House Democrats who absconded...
Illinois judge rejects Texas legislature lawsuit over absconding Dems

Illinois judge rejects Texas legislature lawsuit over absconding Dems

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square An Illinois judge has rejected a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas against 33 House Democrats who absconded from the state to stop legislative...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for June 9, 2025

At its regular monthly meeting, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees took several actions, including approving employee pay raises, supporting a TIF district extension for the City of Mattoon,...
DOJ settles race-based admissions with military academies

DOJ settles race-based admissions with military academies

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Department of Justice announced this week a settlement of litigation challenging the race-based admissions practices at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and...
More California voters are liking Trump's job performance

More California voters are liking Trump’s job performance

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square President Donald Trump’s job approval rating in California is slightly higher than what it was at this time in his first term and from when...
U.S. national debt tops $37 trillion

U.S. national debt tops $37 trillion

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Congress has spent more money than it has collected for the last two decades, allowing the U.S. debt to top $37 trillion for the first...
Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Human trafficking law signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build...
Justice Department finds GWU in violation of Title VI

Justice Department finds GWU in violation of Title VI

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week that George Washington University violated federal civil rights laws by doing nothing while Israeli students faced antisemitic...
WATCH: Nearly 400 people become U.S. citizens at Illinois State Fair

WATCH: Nearly 400 people become U.S. citizens at Illinois State Fair

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly 400 people from more than 70 different countries became naturalized U.S. citizens Wednesday at the Illinois...
Appeals court says Trump can move forward with foreign aid cuts

Appeals court says Trump can move forward with foreign aid cuts

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can cut billions of dollars in foreign aid that had been appropriated by Congress. The...