Illinois Quick Hits: CTA leader addresses transit security

Illinois Quick Hits: CTA leader addresses transit security

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Chicago Transit Authority Acting President Nora Leerhsen says the agency has increased law enforcement hours by 75% across the system.

When reporters asked Leehrsen and Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday about the CTA laying off more than 150 unarmed private security guards while implementing a new security plan, Leehrsen said Chicago police and Cook County Sheriff’s officers would be deployed in a targeted, data-informed way.

Leehrsen said the agency has also increased cleaning resources.

FORMER CHICAGO GANG LEADER GETS LIFE SENTENCE

A former Chicago gang leader has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, two murders in aid of racketeering, and extortion.

A federal jury convicted Labar Spann, 47, in December after finding that he committed a total of four murders in a premeditated manner between July 2000 and June 2003.

Prosecutors say Spann was a leader of the Four Corner Hustlers who terrorized Chicago’s West Side for two decades.

DEM COUNTY CHAIRS PRAISE REELECTION OF HERNANDEZ AS STATE CHAIR

The Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association is congratulating state Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, on her reelection as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

Hernandez has served as party chair since July 2022, when she succeeded U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. IDCCA President Mark Goethe said Hernandez has been a strong, thoughtful leader for the party.

NAPERVILLE SCHOOLS WIN FINANCIAL LITERACY COMPETITION

A student team from Naperville Central High School is slated to compete in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta next month after winning a statewide literacy contest that included 579 participants.

The four winning students each received a $1,500 Bright Start college savings scholarship for winning the 2026 Illinois Personal Finance Challenge sponsored by Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. E

ach student on the second-place team from Neuqua Valley High School, also in Naperville, received a $1,000 Bright Start scholarship.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump sheds more light on Venezuela strike, Maduro capture

Trump sheds more light on Venezuela strike, Maduro capture

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump shed more light on the strikes on Venezuela and the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. During an interview on Fox...
Congressional Republicans support Venezuela strikes, Maduro capture

Congressional Republicans support Venezuela strikes, Maduro capture

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are reacting to President Donald Trump's announcement of the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro...
With Maduro, wife in custody, Bondi says they will be tried on U.S. soil

With Maduro, wife in custody, Bondi says they will be tried on U.S. soil

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following U.S. strikes against Venezuela resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Saturday the Maduros...
Frankfort School District 157-C.3

District 157-C Schools Earn Top State Designations on 2025 Report Card

Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary: Frankfort School District 157-C celebrated high achievement marks on the 2025 Illinois Report Card, with two schools earning "Exemplary" status....
'Large scale strike' carried out against Venezuela; Maduro captured

‘Large scale strike’ carried out against Venezuela; Maduro captured

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” in the overnight hours Saturday, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife, according...
Congress faces govt. shutdown date, health care bills, Epstein on return

Congress faces govt. shutdown date, health care bills, Epstein on return

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congress faces a mountain of political challenges when it resumes session next week, including a potential government shutdown, a health care affordability crisis, and the...
U.S. Senate races will decide balance of Congress in 2026

U.S. Senate races will decide balance of Congress in 2026

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate could see a major shakeup in 2026 as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of Congress. In 2024, Republicans flipped the U.S....
9th Circuit rules against ban on open carry of firearms in most California counties

9th Circuit rules against ban on open carry of firearms in most California counties

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit Friday ruled against California’s ban on open carry of firearms in most counties. The San Francisco-based...
Trump: 'Illinois is worse' as HHS enforces verification for child care funding

Trump: ‘Illinois is worse’ as HHS enforces verification for child care funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says states will not receive matching child-care funds until...
Illinois quick hits: 700,000 customers' health information potentially exposed

Illinois quick hits: 700,000 customers’ health information potentially exposed

By The Center SquareThe Center Square IDHS announces health information potentially exposed Protected health information for more than 700,000 customers of rehabilitation services and Medicaid and Medicare savings programs may...
Trump vetoes bill easing repayment for Colorado pipeline

Trump vetoes bill easing repayment for Colorado pipeline

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square President Donald Trump issued the first vetoes of his second term Tuesday, blocking two bills that would have provided additional support for infrastructure projects in...
Islamic civil rights group says nothing about civil unrest in Iran

Islamic civil rights group says nothing about civil unrest in Iran

By Johnny EdwardsThe Center Square America’s largest Muslim advocacy group speaks out regularly about Israel’s alleged abuses in Gaza. But it has yet to say anything about ongoing human rights...
Ohio debate over potential child care facility fraud heats up

Ohio debate over potential child care facility fraud heats up

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square The debate over taxpayer-funded child care facilities across Ohio has intensified since State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, called for an investigation earlier this week....
As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate continues

As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate continues

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman’s warning that Americans are paying more for groceries is drawing pushback from economists...
North Carolina NYE terror attack foiled by FBI, several police departments

North Carolina NYE terror attack foiled by FBI, several police departments

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The FBI and several police departments foiled another New Year’s Eve terror plot, this time in North Carolina, officials announced on Friday. The FBI apprehended...