July 20, 2026/

Illinois news in brief: Chicago police review Illinois Accountability Commission report; Granite City man sentenced for transporting minor in sex assault case; Report finds Illinois’ AI careers rank 34th in nation

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Chicago police review Illinois Accountability Commission report

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is encouraging people whose experiences are described in the Illinois Accountability Commission’s report on Operation Midway Blitz to provide information to the Chicago Police Department. A statement from Johnson’s office said police are reviewing the commission report’s findings. The statement was released two days after interim police superintendent Fred Waller took over for Larry Snelling, who retired last Wednesday.

Granite City man sentenced for transporting minor in sex assault case

A Granite City man has been sentenced to more than 14 years in prison after he admitted to driving a minor across state lines and committing criminal sexual assault. According to court documents, Jeremy Wallace, 39, admitted he drove to Missouri to pick up the 16-year-old victim in April 2022. Wallace is also facing criminal sexual assault and firearms charges in Madison County.

Report finds Illinois’ AI careers rank 34th in nation

Illinois sits 34th in a ranking of the best U.S. states for technology workers. Revid AI compared all 50 states using five factors and found that Washington ranked first with a tech career index score of 85.9, far greater than second-place Virginia’s score of 65.3. The top Midwest states were Missouri at #13 and Iowa at #16.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Michigan law firm sued over alleged racial bias in diversity scholarships

Michigan law firm sued over alleged racial bias in diversity scholarships

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Two groups have sued a Michigan law firm for operating scholarships they allege are “racially discriminatory.” Do No Harm, a national anti-DEI policy advocacy group,...

WATCH: Libertarian concerns persist as IL Sec of State announces IDs for Apple Wallet

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Digital IDs have gone live in Illinois, but libertarians say the move makes it easier for governments...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzkers meets the Pope; Broadview to close street outside ICE facility

Illinois quick hits: Pritzkers meets the Pope; Broadview to close street outside ICE facility

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzkers meets the Pope Gov. J.B. Pritzker says it was an honor for he and the first lady to meet with...
DHS launches new initiative to crack down on student visa fraud

DHS launches new initiative to crack down on student visa fraud

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched a new initiative to crack down on student visa fraud. It’s launched a new online tool through...
'Ghost projects' haunt power grid planners and taxpayers

‘Ghost projects’ haunt power grid planners and taxpayers

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the country braces for a surge in electricity demand driven by large energy users like...
WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up

WATCH: $10M campaign finance fine dropped; Digital ID unveiled, Chicagoans speak up

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews actions taken...
ICE, Border Patrol agents experience historic surge of vehicular attacks this year

ICE, Border Patrol agents experience historic surge of vehicular attacks this year

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A surge in targeted vehicular attacks against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol officers have occurred this year “driven by hateful rhetoric from...
Poll: Americans support eliminating Department of Education

Poll: Americans support eliminating Department of Education

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new national poll reveals strong American voter support for eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. The survey by the nonprofit Yes. Every Kid Foundation,...
Exclusive: Nonprofit leader urges fight against 'woke capitalism'

Exclusive: Nonprofit leader urges fight against ‘woke capitalism’

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bill designed to protect the United States' court system from foreign influence is too broad, according to Trent England, director of the nonprofit Save...
As pennies disappear, businesses turn to hoarding, rounding

As pennies disappear, businesses turn to hoarding, rounding

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans can continue to spend pennies, but few businesses are giving them back as the coin's 232-year run comes to an end. Some businesses have...
Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, 'economic death spiral'

Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, ‘economic death spiral’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s allies have launched a seven-figure campaign to support his 2026 budget proposal, but...
Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge; digital state ID launched

Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay...
Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins defends Epstein 'no' vote

Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins defends Epstein ‘no’ vote

By Natalie ChandlerThe Center Square LouisianaRepublican Rep. Clay Higgins of Lafayette, the only U.S. House of Representatives lawmaker who voted against releasing documents associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein...
U.S. Senate passes bill to release Epstein files, heads to Trump's desk

U.S. Senate passes bill to release Epstein files, heads to Trump’s desk

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate on Tuesday agreed to pass a bill by unanimous consent requiring the U.S. attorney general to release all documents related to convicted...
Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations

Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott is the first governor in the United States to designate two Muslim groups as Foreign Terrorist and Transnational Criminal Organizations. On Tuesday,...