Illinois Quick Hits: Springfield plan detached from megaprojects
(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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois in focus: DHS announces new facility; NFIB urges veto of regulations; minority scholarship lawsuit moves forward
Abbott to call ‘special session after special session’ in response to AWOL Dems
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025
Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes
Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court
WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment
New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably
WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question
WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding
Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem
Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats
Pritzker: Chicago mayor ‘never once called’ to oppose pension bill
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025
