Illinois quick hits: Bovino bounty trial to begin; Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case; Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments

January 20, 2026/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Bovino bounty trial to begin

Jury selection is complete for the trial of a man accused of putting a bounty on U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, was charged last fall with soliciting the murder of a senior law enforcement official. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago.

Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case

A southern Illinois district judge has sentenced a Kentucky man to 15 years in federal prison for possessing more than 150 grams of meth and a firearm as a felon. James W. Towery, 45, of Salem, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute meth and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say law enforcement found a handgun along with the drugs during a traffic stop in Massac County on March 11, 2024.

Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments

Gov. J.B. Pritzker held a roundtable discussion in Chicago on Tuesday to discuss the impact of federal government actions on Illinoisans. Pritzker said manufacturers feel it when tariffs go up and farmers pay the price for trade wars. President Donald Trump held a White House briefing Tuesday afternoon and said Democrats created the affordability problem and his administration is solving it.

Latest News Stories

White House calls on Pritzker to cooperate with ICE

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The White House called on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday to cooperate with immigration enforcement, after...

EXCLUSIVE: Solar debate shifts to legislature, courts as tensions escalate

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Michigan moves towards 100% renewable energy by 2040, communities across the state are wrestling with how much control they retain over the implementation of...

Trump’s meeting with China back on for May

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump will be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-May, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday afternoon. Trump also intends...

National medical school accreditor drops remaining DEI requirements

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The largest and only national accrediting body for medical schools has dropped its remaining diversity, equity and inclusion language from its accreditation standards. The Liaison...

DHS pushes back on Minnesota lawsuit over Metro Surge shootings

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is defending federal agents’ actions in three Minnesota shootings while pushing back on claims of “unprecedented noncooperation” raised in...

Small business owners seek tax cuts, tariff relief as prices increase

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Small business owners want more tax breaks and lower tariffs as they report higher operating costs. As small business owners navigate a challenging economic landscape...

Frankfort Man Arrested by State Police for Threatening Governor Pritzker

Article Summary: A 71-year-old Frankfort resident is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after Illinois State Police investigators linked him to a series of threatening voicemails left for Governor JB Pritzker....

Supreme Court reverses $1B copyright lawsuit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Wednesday, ruled that an internet service provider is not liable for damages when its users unlawfully...

U.S. Supreme Court rules against automatic prison release punishments

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, decided an individual on supervised release is not automatically extended when that person absconds from their release....

State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As his agency works to correct compliance findings by the state’s auditor general, Illinois State Police Director...

Poll: Trump demonstrates stronger cognitive, communication skills compared to Biden

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A majority of American voters say President Donald Trump has demonstrated better cognitive and physical skills during his second term compared to former President Joe...

Illinois Quick Hits: Red Line funds ordered to be unfrozen

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is hailing a federal judge’s ruling that directs the Trump administration to unfreeze...

EXCLUSIVE: 5 years in, Operation Lone Star seizes 870 million lethal doses of fentanyl

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Five years into Texas’ border security mission, Operation Lone Star officers have seized a record amount of illicit drugs. Gov. Greg Abbott first launched OLS...

Proposal to decrease reliance on paper documents passes House

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Safety is compromised, and costs are increased by outdated rules, U.S. Rep. Brad Knott tells The Center Square. His proposal with Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich.,...

Diaz Tosses Complete Game, TF South Runs Past Peotone 5-1

A dominant pitching performance by senior Richard Diaz and a hyper-aggressive approach on the basepaths propelled the Thornton Fractional South varsity baseball team to a 5-1 non-conference victory over visiting...

« Previous
1
…
42
43
44
45
46
…
166
Next »