January 29, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Grayson gets 20 years for murder

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey at her Springfield home in July 2024.

After a jury convicted Sean Grayson of second-degree murder Oct. 29, Judge Ryan Cadigan handed down the maximum allowed sentence Thursday.

Sonya Massey’s cousin, Sontae Massey, said her cousin’s death is a permanent reminder of what happens when power is exercised without humanity.

AG APPLAUDS RULING ON EV INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says he applauds a federal judge’s decision that the U.S. Department of Transportation illegally withheld around $1 billion in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program funding from Illinois, 19 other states and the District of Columbia.

The ruling follows a lawsuit filed in May 2025. Raoul said the decision ensures that Illinois can continue its transition to a clean energy future by investing in electric vehicle infrastructure using funding approved by Congress.

MICROMOBILE SAFETY INITIATIVE

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has announced a new campaign to address the rise of electric bikes, scooters, skateboards and unicycles on streets and sidewalks.

Giannoulias said the “Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready” campaign combines public education, updated driver training and a push for modernized safety laws.

The secretary cited a 300% increase in crashes involving micromobility devices from 2019 to 2022.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Des Moines school board chair ends U.S. Senate campaign amid superintendent controversy

Des Moines school board chair ends U.S. Senate campaign amid superintendent controversy

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Des Moines, Iowa, school board chair Jackie Norris ended her campaign for U.S. Senate Thursday, citing her need to focus on the school system in...
Former national security advisor Bolton indicted by grand jury

Former national security advisor Bolton indicted by grand jury

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton was indicted Thusday by a federal grand jury. A federal grand jury in the U.S. District...
Retail advocate: 'Empty storefronts' will result from Chicago mayor’s budget

Retail advocate: ‘Empty storefronts’ will result from Chicago mayor’s budget

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago is touting new taxes in his 2026 budget proposal, but business groups are...
Illinois quick hits: SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues; Guard-blocking order stays in place

Illinois quick hits: SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues; Guard-blocking order stays in place

By The Center SquareThe Center Square SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues If the federal government shutdown continues past Nov. 1, 1.9 million Illinoisans will lose food assistance....
Energy Dept’s Haustveit at Louisiana Summit: 'More reliable energy' needed

Energy Dept’s Haustveit at Louisiana Summit: ‘More reliable energy’ needed

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The U.S. will need more reliable energy sources than ever before and the Trump administration will deliver, an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of...
Trump says U.S. won't survive without tariffs, businesses say they won't survive with them

Trump says U.S. won’t survive without tariffs, businesses say they won’t survive with them

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square People on both sides of a legal challenge to President Donald Trump's tariff authority warn that survival is on the line in the high-profile case...
Nonprofit in tariff challenge case hits back at Trump

Nonprofit in tariff challenge case hits back at Trump

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A nonprofit group challenging President Donald Trump's tariff authority in front of the U.S. Supreme Court said Thursday that Trump's criticism of the group was...
Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer arrested by immigration enforcement

Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer arrested by immigration enforcement

By Greg BishopThe Center Square A Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for being in the country illegally. As part of a...
Florida sues California, Washington for licensing immigrants

Florida sues California, Washington for licensing immigrants

By David BeasleyThe Center Square The state of Florida has filed a complaint with the U.S. Supreme Court against the states of California and Washington, sayinga damage has been caused...
DOJ brings first ever Antifa terrorism charges in Texas ICE attack

DOJ brings first ever Antifa terrorism charges in Texas ICE attack

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following the designation of Antifa by President Donald Trump as a domestic terror organization, the FBI announced that terrorism charges have been brought against suspects...
Many agree with McMahon that government shutdown proves DoEd is unnecessary

Many agree with McMahon that government shutdown proves DoEd is unnecessary

By Tate MillerThe Center Square U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s statement that the now more than two-week long government shutdown reveals the U.S. Department of Education is unnecessary –...
Colorado aids federal workers as shutdown hits week three

Colorado aids federal workers as shutdown hits week three

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado is taking steps to assist its over 50,000 federal employees as the government shutdown enters its third week. While not all of those employees...
Democrats tank bipartisan bill to fund DOD in midst of government shutdown

Democrats tank bipartisan bill to fund DOD in midst of government shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In an act of defiance, Democratic senators blocked the House-passed full-year funding bill for the Department of Defense from advancing Thursday. The procedural vote on...
U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump over H-1B visa fee

U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump over H-1B visa fee

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one of the world's largest business federations, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Thursday over its proposed $100,000...
Senate Republicans offer govt funding olive branch; Democrats refuse it

Senate Republicans offer govt funding olive branch; Democrats refuse it

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats blocked Republicans’ bill to reopen the government for the tenth time Thursday – even after Republican leaders agreed to hold a vote on...