Illinois quick hits: Bovino bounty trial to begin; Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case; Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments

January 20, 2026/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Bovino bounty trial to begin

Jury selection is complete for the trial of a man accused of putting a bounty on U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, was charged last fall with soliciting the murder of a senior law enforcement official. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago.

Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case

A southern Illinois district judge has sentenced a Kentucky man to 15 years in federal prison for possessing more than 150 grams of meth and a firearm as a felon. James W. Towery, 45, of Salem, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute meth and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say law enforcement found a handgun along with the drugs during a traffic stop in Massac County on March 11, 2024.

Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments

Gov. J.B. Pritzker held a roundtable discussion in Chicago on Tuesday to discuss the impact of federal government actions on Illinoisans. Pritzker said manufacturers feel it when tariffs go up and farmers pay the price for trade wars. President Donald Trump held a White House briefing Tuesday afternoon and said Democrats created the affordability problem and his administration is solving it.

Latest News Stories

Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider a case challenging Cook County’s ban on semiautomatic weapons,...

GOP hardliners vow to blockade must-pass bills unless voter ID demands met

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Despite the looming 2026 midterm elections and the growing list of congressional responsibilities, a persistent group of Republicans are vowing to obstruct all U.S. House...

Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says he is pleased with a U.S. District Court of Massachusetts decision...

EXCLUSIVE: GOP lawmaker wants Omar records after fraud arrest

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The recent arrest of an alleged top figure in Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future fraud scheme is leading to renewed calls for the release of communications...

Pritzker, Benton’s GOP challenger weigh in calls for resignation

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Less than a day after top Democrats in Springfield called on an embattled state lawmaker to resign,...

Fireworks buyers flock to neighboring states

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois consumers are flocking to neighboring states to buy fireworks as the United States celebrates 250 years...

America 250: The role of prayer and ‘in God we Trust’ in America’s founding and beyond

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, many also are remembering the role of prayer and the founders’ and presidents’ belief in...

Pete Hegseth honors members of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force

By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to members of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force on Thursday, at Meridian Hill State Park, commending...

War Department drops $10M for skilled trades program

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of War awarded a $10 million contract on Thursday as part of its Build Freedom project, an effort to develop workers for...

Trump calls out NATO nations for their spending

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey, President Donald Trump is calling out several NATO partners for their spending. The president is set to attend...

Pritzker declares 11 county disaster over storms; state wants federal aid

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a disaster declaration late Tuesday covering 11 counties across the state that...

America 250’s Sail 250 celebrations ongoing

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas is making history participating in America 250 and Sail 250 events. The 1877 ELISSA, a square-rigged iron barque, the official Tall Ship of Texas,...

GAO: Additional actions needed to secure northern border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square At a recent Congressional hearing, Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas,...

U.S. adds 57K jobs in ‘disappointing’ June report

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 57,000 jobs in June, reflecting a steady job market, according to a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...

State lawmaker accused of sexual harassment asked to resign or be ousted

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker has been asked to resign by Democrat leadership after allegations of his sexual...

« Previous
1
…
10
11
12
13
14
…
233
Next »