Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges

Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges

February 12, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Honduran citizen residing in Waukegan has been indicted for allegedly bringing illegal aliens into the United States for private financial gain.

Federal prosecutors say Fredy Hernandez, 46, brought four foreign nationals from Honduras into the United States in 2022 and 2023, forced them to work, and made them believe they would suffer serious harm if they failed to comply.

SECRETARY OF STATE MANDATES ELECTRONIC LIEN AND TITLE PROCESSING

Financial institutions that process five or more liens annually will be required to transition to electronic lien and titling by July 1.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said that under ELT, lien and title records are transmitted directly to his office and maintained electronically until the lien is satisfied.

The secretary said banks, credit unions and dealers can instantly release the title when a loan is paid off, reducing costs and saving time.

ZIMMERMAN, MATCHBOX TIX ON SALE FRIDAY

Tickets go on sale Friday for two acts scheduled to perform at the Illinois State Fair.

Country performer and Illinois native Bailey Zimmerman is slated to play at the fair on Ag Day, Aug. 14. Matchbox Twenty is scheduled to perform Aug. 16.

Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, starting at 10 a.m.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Disaster proclaimed in three counties A disaster proclamation has been issued for Cook, Jersey and Calhoun counties after severe weather last month. Gov. J.B....
Experts call for probe after Microsoft left out China ties in Pentagon security plan

Experts call for probe after Microsoft left out China ties in Pentagon security plan

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Microsoft is facing renewed calls for a congressional investigation after ProPublica revealed the company omitted key details about its use of China-based engineers in a...
FBI raids the home of John Bolton

FBI raids the home of John Bolton

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Maryland home of former UN Ambassador John Bolton has been raided by the FBI, according to multiple reports. FBI Director Kash Patel posted a...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Frankfort Board for August 18, 2025

The Village of Frankfort Board leveraged a significant budget surplus at its August 18 meeting, approving the transfer of over $19 million into capital funds designated for future infrastructure, equipment,...
WCO Board Aug 21.1

Will County Executive Proposes $791 Million Budget Focused on Stability Amidst Economic Uncertainty

Article Summary: Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant presented a balanced $791 million budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 that aims to maintain services and prepare for potential economic challenges without...
WATCH: Detransitioner gets a second chance at medical malpractice lawsuit

WATCH: Detransitioner gets a second chance at medical malpractice lawsuit

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A young woman whose detransition story has been one of the most widely covered in the nation will soon learn if a judge in North...
WATCH: CA Democrats pass congressional redistricting plan

WATCH: CA Democrats pass congressional redistricting plan

By Dave MasonThe Center Square After a day of vigorous debates punctuated by occasional applause, both houses of the California Legislature Thursday passed the three bills making up the congressional...
Pew: U.S. immigrant population declines for first time in nearly 60 years

Pew: U.S. immigrant population declines for first time in nearly 60 years

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square The U.S.’s foreign-born population shrunk this year for the first time since the 1960s, new data released Thursday from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found....
WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers can now look at how the state spent their money in the fiscal year that...
European Union says U.S. consumers will end up paying tariffs

European Union says U.S. consumers will end up paying tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square European Union leaders detailed the terms of a trade deal they struck with President Donald Trump on Thursday, making sure to point out who will...
Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Anti-SLAPP bill signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). The...
U.S.-EU trade deal includes ceiling for European pharmaceutical imports

U.S.-EU trade deal includes ceiling for European pharmaceutical imports

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The European Union has escaped a potential 250% pharmaceutical tariff and instead has secured a maximum 15% levy with the U.S. according to a joint...
Supreme Court allows Trump to block DEI funding

Supreme Court allows Trump to block DEI funding

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Thursday, allowed President Donald Trump to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research grants....
Trump to probe Smithsonian museums for 'woke' ideology

Trump to probe Smithsonian museums for ‘woke’ ideology

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump has promised to crack down on “woke” ideas promoted in museums across the United States, including the federally funded Smithsonian museums in...
Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The nation’s largest outdoor agricultural show is set for next week in Central Illinois. The Farm Progress...