February 2, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A circuit court judge has ruled that Cook County spent $243 million in violation of the Illinois constitution.

According to Criminal Watch, Judge Alison Conlon ruled that the county’s use of transportation-related tax revenues during the 2023 fiscal year violated the state’s Safe Roads Amendment.

The court found that Cook County’s diversion of $243 million did not meet the amendment’s requirement that revenue from fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees and other transportation taxes be used exclusively for transportation infrastructure and related operations.

DRUG CHARGES

A federal drug investigation has resulted in criminal charges against a Chicago couple and seven other individuals for allegedly trafficking cocaine in the Chicago area.

Joel Andrade, 34, and Maria Brenda Mora-Hernandez, 32, are charged with drug conspiracy, drug distribution and firearm offenses.

The other defendants also face federal drug charges.

BANK TAKEOVER

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Banking, in cooperation with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, took possession and control of Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust in Chicago on Friday.

Susana Soriano, Acting Director of IDFPR’s Division of Banking, said Metropolitan was closed due to unsafe and unsound conditions and an impaired capital position.

First Independence Bank of Detroit, Michigan agreed to buy the bank. Soriano said the action would not cause depositors to lose any money.

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