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

Illinois Quick Hits: HHS: IL abortion referral rule violates federal law

Illinois Quick Hits: HHS: IL abortion referral rule violates federal law

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has notified Illinois officials that the state is violating...
Vance blasts media, defends ICE during Minneapolis visit

Vance blasts media, defends ICE during Minneapolis visit

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Vice President J.D. Vance called out the mainstream media and protestors during a Thursday afternoon news conference from Minneapolis. “Frankly, a lot of the media...
Trump says Greenland deal underway despite few details

Trump says Greenland deal underway despite few details

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday a deal structure regarding Greenland is developing after he stepped back from threatened tariffs on European allies, which he previously...

WATCH: Showdown at SCOW: Court takes up voter-approved natural gas protection

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Washington Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in a case challenging Initiative 2066, a measure approved by voters in Nov. 2024, to make sure natural...
Bill would ban gender transition procedures for minors

Bill would ban gender transition procedures for minors

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A new bill would ban gender transition procedures for Arizona minors. State Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, this week introduced Senate Bill 1095, which would prevent...

WATCH: Resolution condemning federal immigration law enforcement sparks debate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Democrats are calling for investigation, prosecution and impeachment of federal immigration law enforcement. State Rep....

WATCH: Lawmakers spar over taxpayer-funded Trump investigation

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee equally slammed and praised former special counsel Jack Smith over his involvement in prosecuting President Donald Trump’s alleged...
Chicago splits pension payments in hopes of Improving cash flow

Chicago splits pension payments in hopes of Improving cash flow

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Saint Charles, worries Chicago’s newfound plan to divide annual advance supplemental...
Adequate preparation missing for GenAI in higher ed

Adequate preparation missing for GenAI in higher ed

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Adequate preparation by university faculty to use generative artificial intelligence for teaching or mentoring is not in place at their respective schools, say 68% of...
Following GOP criticism, Pritzker finds $481.6 million in budget reserves

Following GOP criticism, Pritzker finds $481.6 million in budget reserves

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget says it has identified more than $480 million of budget...
Critics slam Illinois’ $36M park grants as political, wasteful

Critics slam Illinois’ $36M park grants as political, wasteful

By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Pritzker administration’s recent announcement of $36 million in state grants for local park projects is...
First arrests made following St. Paul church attack, 'more to come'

First arrests made following St. Paul church attack, ‘more to come’

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal officials have made three arrests in connection with a protest that disrupted a Sunday morning church service in St. Paul. U.S. Attorney General Pamela...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago pays OT to potentially ineligible workers

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago pays OT to potentially ineligible workers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general has advised the city’s human resources and finance departments that from 2020 through 2024,...
will county board graphic

County Authorizes Condemnation to Advance Francis and Marley Road Improvements

Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: To facilitate safety improvements at the intersection of Francis Road and Marley Road in New Lenox Township, the Will County...
lincoln way school district 210 logo.2

Board Approves 2026-2027 School Calendar

Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education adopted the official school calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year. The schedule includes a...