Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series

Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series

August 18, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case

State prosecutors have charged two more migrants as part of an investigation into the trafficking of narcotics and firearms into Chicago by suspected members of the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua street gang. CWB Chicago reports that a judge ordered Yefferson Camacho Cedeno, 27, and Jose Vasquez Hernandez, 30, detained, calling them “member[s] of a transnational criminal organization.” The men are the fourth and fifth individuals known to be charged in the case.

Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today

The Illinois Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee is scheduled to discuss federal energy policy and increasing summer rates at a subject-matter hearing Monday afternoon. The Illinois Freedom Caucus requested that the hearing include members of the House Energy and Environment committee. Many Illinois residents and businesses are facing record-high electric bills this summer.

Illinois Little League team loses in World Series

An Illinois team’s run has ended at the Little League World Series. Clarendon Hills lost to Honolulu, 9-1, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday. The Clarendon Hills team won one game and lost two at the Little League World Series after winning the Great Lakes regional.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Coal and power groups back UP–Norfolk Southern rail merger

Coal and power groups back UP–Norfolk Southern rail merger

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Several major coal producers and power industry groups are urging federal regulators to approve the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger. The producers argue that reliable...

WATCH: U.S. House votes to extend ACA subsidies, heads to Senate

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies for another three years. The bill passed in a 230-196 vote...
Report details sexual abuse, falsified grant applications at Chicago Public Schools

Report details sexual abuse, falsified grant applications at Chicago Public Schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Education’s Office of Inspector General has released a report detailing falsified federal grant...
Signature shortfalls knock multiple candidates off Illinois ballot

Signature shortfalls knock multiple candidates off Illinois ballot

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the March 2026 primary ballot this week, removing several...

WATCH: Vance addresses Minneapolis shooting, questions leftwing influence

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Thursday questioned potential leftwing involvement in the shooting death of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in...
U.S. House clears $180B funding bills to avoid Jan. 30 shutdown

U.S. House clears $180B funding bills to avoid Jan. 30 shutdown

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday cleared three nearly $180 billion government funding bills that will take a step toward preventing a federal government...
IL state lawmaker pushes back as analysis finds municipalities lost $10.9B

IL state lawmaker pushes back as analysis finds municipalities lost $10.9B

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois Policy Institute analysis estimates local governments have lost $10.9 billion since 2012 due...
Trump invites Colombian president to White House

Trump invites Colombian president to White House

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In a matter of days, President Donald Trump has gone from threatening to strike Colombia to inviting its leader to the White House. Following a...
WATCH: Pritzker says receipts shown ‘all the time’ as audits show weaknesses

WATCH: Pritzker says receipts shown ‘all the time’ as audits show weaknesses

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker insists there’s not been any alleged fraud in Illinois that should cause the Trump...
Pro life org to Congress: Hyde Amendment is non-negotiable

Pro life org to Congress: Hyde Amendment is non-negotiable

By Tate MillerThe Center Square An American pro-life group told President Donald Trump and Congress that the Hyde Amendment is “non-negotiable,” following comments from the president that Republicans should be...
Florida joins redistricting push, schedules special session

Florida joins redistricting push, schedules special session

By Merrilee GasserThe Center Square Florida is joining a growing list of states seeking to redraw their congressional maps and gain an advantage in the November midterm elections. Gov. Ron...
Senate takes first vote to limit military action in Venezuela

Senate takes first vote to limit military action in Venezuela

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate took a bipartisan step on Thursday to pass a resolution limiting President Donald Trump from the use of further military force in...
Dem officials urge Trump EPA to keep Biden’s PFAS rules

Dem officials urge Trump EPA to keep Biden’s PFAS rules

By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Democrat state attorneys general are resisting changes made by the Trump administration that affect what companies must disclose about the use of...
Protests continue Thursday in Minneapolis; schools canceled

Protests continue Thursday in Minneapolis; schools canceled

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square (The Center Squares) – Protests continued Thursday after thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis on Wednesday night, rallying against ICE agents in...
IL lawmaker critical of ‘illegal orders’ video as Pentagon moves to punish senator

IL lawmaker critical of ‘illegal orders’ video as Pentagon moves to punish senator

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and Air Force veteran says U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s call for troops to...