Illinois Quick Hits: Gas tops $5 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now $5.03 in Illinois, up from $4.97 on Tuesday.

The national average is $4.51. Illinois imposes a fuel tax of 48.3 cents per gallon. The state tax is scheduled to rise to 49.6 cents per gallon on July 1.

BILL ADVANCES TO EXPAND SPEECH-DISORDER COVERAGE

The Illinois House Insurance Committee has unanimously passed legislation to expand health insurance coverage that includes rehabilitative and habilitative services for children under 19 that have an acquired speech-language disorder.

Senate Bill 2899 now heads to the House Floor for consideration.

CHICAGO COMMITTEE PASSES TEMPORARY WAGE HIKE FREEZE

The Chicago City Council Committee on Workforce Development has passed an ordinance to temporarily freeze higher wage mandates and the elimination of the city’s tip credit.

In March, Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed a measure to freeze the tipped wage phaseout.

MAN CONVICTED OF UNLAWFUL POSSESSION AFTER EAST ST. LOUIS STING

A man previously convicted of murder has been found guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon in East St. Louis.

Prosecutors say Anthony D. Bradley, Jr., 37, was observed with a firearm on October 28, 2024, during a proactive crime suppression detail. Bradley

had prior convictions for second degree murder and multiple state and federal charges involving illegal firearm possession.

ROCKFORD MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

Illinois State Police have arrested a Rockford man for ten counts of possession of child pornography.

ISP says Wayne R. Bouton, 42, was identified as a suspect after an online tip led to an extensive investigation. Officers arrested Bouton on Tuesday.

FIREFIGHTERS HONORED

Firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty are being remembered after the 33rd Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony in Springfield on Tuesday.

Chicago Fire Department Captain David Meyer was honored for his sacrifice. Meyer died while battling a fire in April 2025.

This year’s firefighter medal of honor recipients were firefighter/EMT Kevin McNicholas of the Chicago Fire Department and firefighter/paramedic Gino Casciola of the Addison Fire Protection District.