Illinois Quick Hits: $63M construction research center completed
(The Center Square) – State officials have marked the completion of the $63 million Materials Testing and Research Center at Illinois Department of Transportation headquarters in Springfield.
In addition to housing IDOT’s Bureau of Research offices and library, the building will be home to the Bureau of Programming’s traffic instrumentation laboratory and the materials lab for District 6, which serves 15 counties in central Illinois.
Each year, IDOT spends more than $1.5 billion on construction materials, which account for about half of all construction costs.
ILLINOIS GAS PRICES RISE
Gas prices are up since the United States launched new military strikes against Iran on Tuesday.
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Illinois increased to $4.06 on Thursday, 6 cents higher than the day before. The average Illinois diesel price rose just over a penny to $4.90.
AAA’s national averages are $3.85 for regular unleaded and $4.81 for diesel.
MAN SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED FENTANYL POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION
A district judge has sentenced a Metropolis man to five years and three months in prison plus four years of supervised release after he admitted that he attempted to possess with intent to distribute over 54 grams of fentanyl.
Prosecutors said law enforcement intercepted two packages of fentanyl pills being delivered to Jason J. Gallo, 54, from California in 2024. Gallo was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.
INDIAN CITIZEN SENTENCED FOR EVADING U.S. CUSTOMS DUTIES
A citizen of India who worked as a jewelry exporter’s accountant has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for conspiring to avoid U.S. Customs duties on shipments imported by a suburban Chicago company.
Prosecutors said Ravi Kapadia, 46, conspired with the owner of a United Arab Emirates exporter and others to fraudulently import gold jewelry by falsely claiming that the jewelry was manufactured in Oman.
Kapadia was ordered to pay restitution to the U.S. for evading more than $1.89 million in customs duties in 2019 and 2020. Kapadia’s conviction subjects him to removal from the country.
LAKE MICHIGAN EARTHQUAKE REPORTED
The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 2.9 earthquake northeast of Chicago in Lake Michigan on Wednesday.
No injuries or damage was immediately reported.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Republicans compete to face Neguse in congressional race
Vance says ‘progress’ made in talks with Iran
Report: Eight Michigan counties among most vulnerable to Social Security cuts
Los Angeles schools superintendent resigns after FBI probe
Illinois Quick Hits: Tornado kills 2 in Jefferson County
Although 95% lower than Biden era, illegal entries, apprehension up in May
‘Half-baked’ Illinois social media tax poised to tee up court challenges
Frankfort Mayor Warns of New Threats to Local Zoning Control
DHS thwarts Iranian terrorist threats at the northern border, World Cup ties
Minnesota man ordered to pay $2.5M in fraud case, faces no criminal charges
Everyday Economics: A new chair, a shorter statement, a Fed that stopped talking cuts
Illinois congressmen worry as DHS Secretary seeks to ‘protect election integrity’
