Illinois Quick Hits: State gaming board renew Rockford casino license

April 24, 2026/

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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has renewed Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s license for four years, retroactive to January 2026.

The Rockford casino’s license was the first to be authorized by the state’s gaming expansion law in 2019.

At its meeting Thursday, the board also issued a number of casino supplier renewals, video gaming licenses and sports wagering approvals.

ALLEGED GANG MEMBER FACES FIREARMS CHARGE

An alleged Chicago gang member is being held on a federal firearms charge after a U.S. District Court judge reversed a federal magistrate judge’s order to release the suspect on bond.

Prosecutors say Alexander Martinez Quiroz, 35, recorded himself firing shots from a handgun while standing in front of a Chicago building in December 2025.

As a previously convicted felon, Martinez Quiroz was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

INDIVIDUAL TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER BARRICADE SITUATION IN JACKSONVILLE

No injuries have been reported after a reported domestic disturbance and barricade situation in Jacksonville.

Local officers responded to a home around 1 a.m. Friday and reported that an armed subject was alone and uncooperative.

After Illinois State Police crisis negotiators and SWAT officers arrived, the individual exited the residence around 11:30 a.m. and was taken into custody for medical evaluation.

FORMER STATE POLICE OFFICER ORDERED TO PAY RESTITUTION FOR LOAN FRAUD

A former Illinois State Police officer has been sentenced to two years of probation and 30 hours of public service and ordered to pay $41,664 in restitution after he was convicted of loan fraud.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said John Sievers, 52, of Chicago fraudulently received two loans through the federal Paycheck Protection Program in 2021.

NEW TROOPERS WELCOMED

Twenty new troopers have graduated from Cadet Class 152 at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield.

Following a graduation ceremony Friday, the new troopers were scheduled to report to three ISP locations around the state on Sunday.

ELDERLY MAN FACES CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIALS CHARGES

An 88-year-old man is charged with possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials in Morgan County. Illinois State Police arrested Robert Crowe of Jacksonville on Thursday.

Anonymous tips of child sexual abuse materials can be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com.

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