Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago man arrested in connection with planned attack at White House

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Chicago man has been arrested in connection with a planned attack that allegedly targeted the Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House on June 14.

Government attorneys say Alexander Iniguez Mercado, 20, was an administrator and member of Signal messaging groups that appeared to communicate about the planned attack.

Mercado was charged with obstruction of justice after he allegedly uninstalled the Signal app, causing message data to become unavailable.

Seven other people from multiple states have been charged in connection with the plot.

ILLINOIS GROUP LAMENTS MONSANTO RULING

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance says it is a setback for transparency and accountability that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to limit the ability of farmers and others to pursue state-level claims against pesticide manufacturers.

On Thursday, the high court reversed a Missouri Court of Appeals decision that allowed liability claims against Monsanto for failing to include a cancer warning on the label of Roundup herbicide.

ISA joined an amicus brief supporting Missouri farmer John Durnell, who alleged that his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma resulted from exposure to Roundup.

Kyla Asbury contributed to this story.

PRITZKER ANNOUNCES IDNR LEADERSHIP CHANGE

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced that Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Natalie Phelps Finnie will be replaced Wednesday by the agency’s general counsel, Renee Snow.

Finnie has served as IDNR director since January 2023. She previously served as an Illinois state rep from 2017 to 2019.

Snow has worked at IDNR since 2014.

CHICAGO FINALIZES DEAL WITH O’HARE CONCOURSE CONTRACTOR

Chicago officials say they have finalized an agreement that ensures the O’Hare International Airport Concourse D project will come in at least $21 million under budget.

A statement from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office said the city aviation department’s deal with the lead contractor, AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa, sets a guaranteed maximum price of $1.455 billion for the 19-gate facility.

The statement says the project is funded through airport-generated revenues and not with state or local tax dollars.

The concourse is set for completion in late 2028.

$5 MILLION RENOVATION PLANNED AT ILLINI BASEBALL FIELD

The University of Illinois says a $5 million gift by an anonymous donor is paving the way for the renovation of Illinois Field, home of the Fighting Illini baseball team.

Plans include new and additional seating down the lines, permanent seat backs and new, expanded dugouts with technology upgrades and bathrooms.