Illinois Quick Hits: ICE arrests woman accused of helping never-charged shooting suspects

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officials have arrested a Venezuelan national who was accused of helping two alleged Tren de Aragua members evade law enforcement after a December 2024 shooting that left three people dead and others injured in Chicago.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says police found weapons in 32-year-old Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti’s vehicle after she drove the two alleged shooters, Ricardo Granadillo Padilla and Edward Martinez Cermeno, following the crime. B

oth Granadillo Padilla and Martinez Cermeno were arrested and deported, but neither man was charged after being arrested in connection with the shooting.

DHS said Moreno Occhipinti was in the U.S. illegally and remains in custody pending removal.

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF: DETECTIVES RESCUED GIRL FROM ALLEGED CHILD PORN SOLICITOR

The Lake County Sheriff’s office says county detectives rescued a girl from a man who traveled from Georgia to meet her.

Jordy Alexis Fuerte Perez, 24, is charged with solicitation of child pornography and unlawful possession of cocaine after he was discovered with a missing girl under the age of 14 in a parking lot near Libertyville.

Detectives used public safety camera technology to locate the suspect’s vehicle. The sheriff’s office says additional charges are likely.

PRITZKER, GOVERNORS OPPOSE ‘STOP CLIMATE SHAKEDOWNS ACT’

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has joined nine fellow governors urging Congress to reject recently-introduced legislation they say preempts the authority of state and local governments to implement laws that protect residents from climate change.

In a letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders, the governors say Senate Bill 4340 and HR 8330 also strip state and local governments of their ability to pursue legal action when corporations harm residents with pollution.

COOK COUNTY OFFERS $2 MILLION MORE IN DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE

Cook County officials have announced the allocation of $2 million for a third phase of the county’s down payment assistance program.

County taxpayers previously funded $11.6 million in down payment assistance during the first two phases of the program.

Last Wednesday, county board president Toni Preckwinkle announced a projected budget gap of $550.7 million for fiscal year 2027.