Illinois Quick Hits: Springfield plan detached from megaprojects

Illinois Quick Hits: Springfield plan detached from megaprojects

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A proposal to create the Capital Area Tourism Authority and Capital City Downtown Medical District in Springfield may be passed on its own after it was previously included in megaprojects legislation.

State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, filed the amendment to SB 2829 on Wednesday and said she is exploring all avenues to get the bill over the finish line.

Sean Reed contributed to this story.

U.S. ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES GRAND JURY CHANGES

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros has announced internal reforms to grand jury practices and disclosures, days after his office dismissed charges against protesters who were arrested outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview last year.

Boutros said his office moved to dismiss the indictment after learning of “certain conduct” by the government in the grand jury.

Boutros said the new process will be more transparent and effective while greatly reducing the likelihood of mistakes.

MAN SENTENCED FOR TRANSPORTING CASH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS

A Texas man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for transporting $9 million in illicit cash proceeds for a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization.

Prosecutors say Ricardo Tello, 39, delivered the money by plane or car in the Chicago area.

Tello pleaded guilty to drug distribution and money laundering charges in September 2025.

PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION TO FORM

The Illinois Supreme Court is inviting applications from individuals interested in serving as appointed members of the Illinois State Public Defender Commission.

The court said people appointed to the commission must have significant experience defending indigent clients in criminal or juvenile proceedings and must demonstrate a commitment to public service and understanding of the legal system.

The commission was created by the Funded Advocacy and Independent Representation Act in 2025 and is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois lawmaker calls FDA hormone therapy reversal ‘overdue’

Illinois lawmaker calls FDA hormone therapy reversal ‘overdue’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and practicing physician weighs said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F....
IL Rep on congressmen trading: 'We're not going to take a pile of money to hell'

IL Rep on congressmen trading: ‘We’re not going to take a pile of money to hell’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says the public is right to be alarmed about elected officials enriching themselves through...
Illinois quick hits: Officer shot report numbers down; Thanksgiving meal costs down

Illinois quick hits: Officer shot report numbers down; Thanksgiving meal costs down

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Officer shot report numbers down The National Fraternal Order of Police reports, through Oct. 31, 285 police officers have been shot...
WATCH: Chicago activist testifies; Quinn’s millionaire surcharge; High SNAP error rate

WATCH: Chicago activist testifies; Quinn’s millionaire surcharge; High SNAP error rate

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from...
GE Appliances announces $150 million partnerships

GE Appliances announces $150 million partnerships

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - GE Appliances announced Thursday it is investing more than $150 million into contracts for suppliers in the...
Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 9.30.06 AM

Frankfort, Will County Partner on Wildlife Rabies Control

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee recommended approval of an intergovernmental agreement on Thursday, November 13, 2025, that allows...
Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 9.30.44 AM

Executive Committee Approves Appointments for Washington Township, Emergency Telephone Boards

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, November 13, 2025, recommended the approval of two key appointments, filling...
frankfort fire district graphic logo.2

Frankfort Fire Board Meets for Six Hours in Closed Session as Chief Search Continues

Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees held a marathon special meeting on Monday, October 20, 2025, spending nearly six hours in closed session regarding the search...
Trump signs bill to release Epstein files

Trump signs bill to release Epstein files

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed a bill late Wednesday to release federal files related to former financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. After fighting the...
WATCH: Dysolve AI offers approach to dyslexia in schools

WATCH: Dysolve AI offers approach to dyslexia in schools

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square While education leaders search for breakthroughs in special education, one AI platform, Dysolve, claims it has found part of the answer. Dysolve AI, created by...
Inventors back effort to tackle intellectual property thefts

Inventors back effort to tackle intellectual property thefts

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A five-time world champion jump roper, Molly Metz of Louisville, Colorado, created a jump rope in the early 2000s to help her go faster and...

WATCH: Dems leave hearing before minority group’s testimony on Biden border policies

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square A member of a minority grassroots Chicago organization testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Wednesday that violent gang members in the U.S....
Illinois quick hits: ICC approves smaller rate increases

Illinois quick hits: ICC approves smaller rate increases

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square ICC approves smaller rate increases The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved smaller utility rate hikes than the ones requested by Ameren...

WATCH: Ex-Illinois governor pushes for ‘millionaire’s surcharge’ amendment

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The push continues to have voters if Illinois should be a 3% surcharge on millionaires. Former Illinois...
Lawmakers weigh replacing Obamacare tax credits with health savings accounts

Lawmakers weigh replacing Obamacare tax credits with health savings accounts

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With millions of Americans’ health insurance premiums projected to rise in 2026, due partially to enhanced Obamacare subsidies expiring, Republicans are eyeing health savings accounts...