Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

August 27, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS

The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms.

Originally filed in 2021, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sided with the county, upholding the ban in June of this year. In 2023, the state enacted a similar ban.

A Second Amendment challenge for the statewide ban is set to be heard by the appeals court Sept. 22. A district judge found the state’s ban unconstitutional last year.

Man sentenced for COVID fraud

A federal judge has sentenced a former Chicago man to a year and half in prison for scheming to fraudulently obtain nearly $2 million in small business loans from COVID relief funds.

Prosecutors say Samuel W. Jackson, 45, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after he and others spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury vehicles and at restaurants and entertainment venues.

Airport funding announced

More than $8 million in federal tax funds from the Trump administration is headed for airports across Illinois.

The U.S. Department of Transportation funding goes to improve taxiways, accommodate more passengers and make travelling easier.

An airport in Peoria is getting $7.6 million. Airports in Decatur and Bloomington are also receiving funds.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

States, caregivers can now view key metrics for state child welfare systems

States, caregivers can now view key metrics for state child welfare systems

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Foster parents, caregivers and state agencies can now review high-level data of all 50 states’ child welfare systems, comparing permanency and safety outcomes across states....
More Illinois Catholic schools close; candidates call for change

More Illinois Catholic schools close; candidates call for change

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Illinois Republican candidates for governor call for school choice, more Catholic schools are closing in the...
U.S. effort to limit China’s influence reaches Latin America

U.S. effort to limit China’s influence reaches Latin America

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The Trump administration’s effort to curb China’s influence in the Western Hemisphere is impacting politics across Latin America, including in countries where conservative candidates want...
Govt. shutdown risk spikes as Senate Democrats vow to tank funding package

Govt. shutdown risk spikes as Senate Democrats vow to tank funding package

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Republicans’ hopes of finishing the government funding process without incident were dashed over the weekend with a second fatal shooting of a protester in...
Report: EU regulations cost billions for American tech companies

Report: EU regulations cost billions for American tech companies

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square European regulators are targeting American companies with policies that stifle American competitiveness in the technology industry, according to a new report. Consumers’ Defense, a 501(c)(4)...
Acting ICE director ordered to court by Minnesota federal judge

Acting ICE director ordered to court by Minnesota federal judge

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A Minnesota federal judge has ordered the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear before him Friday. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz...
Crackdown in Minneapolis underway following Trump talks with Walz, Frey

Crackdown in Minneapolis underway following Trump talks with Walz, Frey

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A crackdown on protesters in Minneapolis appears to be underway following “good talks” President Donald Trump had with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor...
WATCH: Chicago IG seeks urgency on OT costs; Group warns taxpayers paying for polls

WATCH: Chicago IG seeks urgency on OT costs; Group warns taxpayers paying for polls

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares comments from Chicago...
Illinois Quick Hits: Grants issued for apprenticeship programs

Illinois Quick Hits: Grants issued for apprenticeship programs

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced Monday that they awarded...
K-12 schools, higher ed institutions prevail in diversity litigation

K-12 schools, higher ed institutions prevail in diversity litigation

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Threats to federal funds at K-12 schools and institutions of higher education because of diversity policies have been squashed in a federal courtroom in Virginia....
Medical group debunks recent study on racial concordance, says patient outcomes not improved by philosophy

Medical group debunks recent study on racial concordance, says patient outcomes not improved by philosophy

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Medical group Do No Harm released a report Tuesday that it says debunks a study on racial concordance, with a Do No Harm leader stating...
Will County Board Graphic.01

County Approves $22 Million in Road Projects for Lorenzo Road and Mills Road

Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved major infrastructure contracts, including an $18.8 million bridge replacement on Lorenzo Road and a $3.2...
Three Democrats seeking Illinois U.S. Senate seat debate in Chicago

Three Democrats seeking Illinois U.S. Senate seat debate in Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Immigration and taxation policies are front and center for Democratic Party candidates seeking to replace Illinois U.S....
Emissions permitted? ‘Irrelevant’ vs lawsuits: IL Sup Ct

Emissions permitted? ‘Irrelevant’ vs lawsuits: IL Sup Ct

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Businesses in Illinois hit by blizzards of potentially ruinous lawsuits over alleged harm caused by emissions from their factories or other facilities...
As snowfall tapers, 'deep freeze' sets in as another potential storm on the horizon

As snowfall tapers, ‘deep freeze’ sets in as another potential storm on the horizon

By Morgan Sweeney and Ava OttThe Center Square Winter Storm Fern has left hundreds of thousands without power and claimed a number of lives across the country, and the cold...