Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats

An Adams County judge has rejected a lawsuit against 33 Texas House Democrats who absconded from the state to stop legislative proceedings.

The suit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Illinois state Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, asked that the Texas Democrats be held in contempt, which would have allowed for them to be arrested and returned to their home state.

Judge Scott Larson ruled that the plaintiffs had failed to present a legal basis for the court to obtain subject-matter jurisdiction.

No charges for police

Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke announced Wednesday that police officers would not be charged in connection with the shooting of a Chicago man during a traffic stop last year.

O’Neill said Dexter Reed, 26, opened fire with a gun he did not legally possess about 30 seconds after officers approached his vehicle.

Burke said the evidence was overwhelming, and the Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor’s Office agreed with her office’s decision.

Busy airport

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport had its second-busiest month ever with more than eight-million passengers in June.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Aviation say flight operations in the first half of 2025 are up 10.4% year-over-year.