Illinois Quick Hits: At least 7 tornadoes hit Illinois last week

Illinois Quick Hits: At least 7 tornadoes hit Illinois last week

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The National Weather Service says at least seven tornadoes impacted Illinois last Friday afternoon and evening.

The Stephenson County Sheriff’s office said the village of Lena suffered widespread damage, but there were no deaths or serious injuries reported.

The National Weather Service reported three tornadoes in Winnebago County as well as twisters in LaSalle, Livingston, Ford and Iroquois counties.

FIRM’S SPACE REDUCED BY CHICAGO LEASE EXTENSION

A Chicago consulting firm says its workforce is not affected by the company’s reduced square footage in downtown Chicago.

A spokesperson for Huron Consulting Group told The Center Square that the firm modified and extended its lease through 2037 to formalize adjustments made during the pandemic.

The spokesperson said the current agreement reflects a reduction in square footage, but the company has not occupied that square footage since 2020.

PENSION BUYOUT PROGRAM EXTENDED

A two-year extension of Illinois’ COLA pension buyout program is headed to the state Senate.

The voluntary program allows retirees in Illinois’ four statewide retirement systems to receive a lump-sum payment in exchange for forgoing future 3% compounded cost-of-living adjustments.

The House passed HB 5196 unanimously on Friday. Supporters say the buyouts have reduced Illinois’ pension liabilities by an estimated $2.6 billion.

MAN GETS 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR PROVIDING MATERIAL SUPPORT TO ISIS

A Chicago man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham by using social media to encourage attacks on ISIS enemies and to recruit ISIS members.

Prosecutors said Ashraf Al Safoo, 41, was a leader of Khattab Media Foundation, an online organization that created and disseminated threats and ISIS propaganda on social media and other online platforms.

Al Safoo, 41, has been in custody since his 2018 arrest in Chicago.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

'They deserve their story': Bill aims to open foster care files

‘They deserve their story’: Bill aims to open foster care files

By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are moving to ensure families adopting children from the state’s foster care system receive...
Under Trump, Big Bend CBP Sector in Texas making history

Under Trump, Big Bend CBP Sector in Texas making history

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The far west Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection sector of Big Bend made history under the Biden and Trump administrations – for different reasons....
lincoln way school district 210 logo.1

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education for Jan. 15, 2026

Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday, January 15, 2026, covering a...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Square Park District for Dec. 1, 2025

Frankfort Square Park District Meeting | Dec. 1, 2025 The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners met on Monday, Dec. 1, to finalize the annual tax levy and discuss...
will county board meeting graphic.5

Prairie View Landfill Expansion Plans Take Shape as Consultants Navigate Design Challenges

Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Geologic Associates presented a detailed status update on the proposed expansion of the Prairie View Landfill, outlining a dual...
Pro-life marchers say fight against abortion isn't over

Pro-life marchers say fight against abortion isn’t over

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Despite the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the March for Life continues. With the decision to ban or support abortion now in the hands of...
Govt. funding process close to finish line as Senate preps for final vote

Govt. funding process close to finish line as Senate preps for final vote

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ball is in the U.S. Senate’s court to avert a government shutdown Jan. 30, with six fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills signed into law...
Dodgers' first baseman loses $2M on home sale after taxes

Dodgers’ first baseman loses $2M on home sale after taxes

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Selling a high-value property in Los Angeles? Tax experts advise caution: You could be in the same boat as Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman....
California sues Trump administration over oil pipelines

California sues Trump administration over oil pipelines

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California is suing the Trump administration over its decision to take control of two state pipelines and permit Sable Offshore Corp. to restart pumping oil...
HHS won't use taxpayer dollars for research using aborted fetal tissue

HHS won’t use taxpayer dollars for research using aborted fetal tissue

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is banning the use of human fetal tissue sourced from elective abortion in federally funded research. Under...
Education Department issues Title 1 consolidation guidance

Education Department issues Title 1 consolidation guidance

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education issued guidance to state education officials urging Title I schools to consolidate federal, state and local funding into a single...
U.S. Senate postpones Monday votes ahead of govt funding deadline

U.S. Senate postpones Monday votes ahead of govt funding deadline

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate canceled votes originally scheduled for Monday due to inclement weather, shortening the timeframe for legislators to pass necessary funding bills to avoid...
Illinois lawmakers clash over ICE funding as DHS bill advances

Illinois lawmakers clash over ICE funding as DHS bill advances

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman broke with a faction of moderate Democrats recently by voting against a Department...
Leaders highlight policies to end taxpayer-funded abortions at march for life

Leaders highlight policies to end taxpayer-funded abortions at march for life

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance and other elected officials on Friday touted their accomplishments to implement pro-life legislation over the past year at the 53rd annual...
Illinois Quick Hits: End of tax credit causes another Catholic school to close

Illinois Quick Hits: End of tax credit causes another Catholic school to close

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Another Archdiocese of Chicago school has cited the end of Illinois’ Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program as a reason...