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

Trump’s former National Security Adviser criticizes Ireland for ‘cozying up to China’

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Former U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien sharply criticized Ireland’s growing political split from the United States and its deepening ties to China in a...

WATCH: IL lawmakers pass consequential bills early Halloween

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 powers through on...

Trump calls on Senate Republicans to nuke filibuster

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the ongoing government shutdown now entering its second month, President Donald Trump has had enough: he wants Senate Republicans to end the filibuster. “Majority...

FBI: ‘Potential’ Halloween terror plot foiled; multiple subjects arrested in Michigan

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The FBI says it thwarted a possible terror attack, arresting several individuals in Michigan, according to Director Kash Patel. “This morning the FBI thwarted a...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Park District for September 9, 2025

Frankfort Park District Meeting | September, 2025 The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners learned on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, that the grand opening of the new Fort Frankfort playground...

WATCH: Trick or treat: IL legislators pass tax increase, decoupling bill early Friday

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers are waking up Halloween morning to tax increases after the conclusion of fall veto session...

Noem refuses Pritzker enforcement pause request, IL passes sanctuary enhancement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Both the executive and legislative branches of Illinois government have made attempts to address federal immigration enforcement...

WATCH: Energy bill opponents say increases IL electric bills by $8 billion passes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have passed wide-ranging energy legislation, but opponents say it will lead to higher electricity bills....

WA Dems blame GOP for government shutdown; 1 million in state could lose SNAP benefits

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer say it’s not Democrats, but Republicans, who are responsible for keeping the federal...

Officials react to allegations of civilians impersonating ICE

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square One San Diego County supervisor is concerned about civilians posing as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents using fake ICE clothing and tactical gear and...

Illinois quick hits: IL taxpayers have highest pension debt obligations in U.S.

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Report: Illinois taxpayers have highest pension debt obligations in U.S. According to a new Reason Foundation report reviewing over 300 public...

WATCH: Bonta visits food bank amid lawsuit over CalFresh

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Thursday he is continuing to push for federal emergency contingency funding to restore millions of Californians’ food benefits as...

IL taxpayers to pay $20M for food banks as SNAP funding lapses start Saturday

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers are going to cover $20 million in food subsidies to food banks across the state....

Poll: 7 in 10 of Americans are against mail-order abortion without a doctor visit

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A national poll shows that seven in 10 “likely voters” think a doctor visit for an abortion pill prescription should be required and many are...

Trump’s plan to re-start nuclear weapons testing faces criticism

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's plan to restart testing of nuclear weapons drew concern from some foreign nations, disarmament groups and Democrats. Trump broke with decades of...

« Previous
1
…
146
147
148
149
150
…
200
Next »