Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois gains population for third straight year

Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois gains population for third straight year

January 27, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – According to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois’ population has risen for the third straight year.

Data released on Tuesday showed Illinois with an estimated 12,719,141 people on July 1, 2025, up from 12,703,033 the previous year.

The state’s number is 16,108 higher than a year ago but 76,207 lower than it was in 2020.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION SENTENCE

A Park Forest man has been sentenced to 48 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.

Prosecutors say Tercalo E. Thomas, 35, enticed, persuaded and used a prepubescent minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct.

Thomas allegedly recorded the conduct and trafficked the images as barter to collect more than 1,500 images of child sex abuse.

JUDICIAL AGENDA

The Illinois Judicial Conference has unveiled its 2026-2028 strategic agenda for the state’s judicial branch.

Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. said the agenda focuses on removing barriers that prevent litigants from fully participating in the legal system.

The IJC consists of 15 judges and 14 non-judges with the chief justice serving as chair.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

U.S. House vote on spy powers extension delayed due to bipartisan pushback

U.S. House vote on spy powers extension delayed due to bipartisan pushback

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is postponing a vote on a clean extension of the federal government’s electronic surveillance powers due to member pushback....
Auditors praise Trump anti-fraud healthcare proposal

Auditors praise Trump anti-fraud healthcare proposal

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A coalition of 14 state financial leaders across the country backed a Trump administration policy to reduce fraud in health-care systems. The group of state...

WATCH: Gun owners rally at Illinois Statehouse against more gun regulations

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois gun owners are pressing their legislators to oppose gun regulations and some elected officials are on...
GOP seeks probe of $180B in fraud with taxpayers' money

GOP seeks probe of $180B in fraud with taxpayers’ money

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California’s Assembly Republican Caucus on Wednesday called for a special legislative session to investigate an estimated $180 billion in fraud in taxpayer-funded programs. “Fraud absolutely...
Bill advances to prevent local governments from clearing homeless camps

Bill advances to prevent local governments from clearing homeless camps

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State law may soon restrict local governments from clearing homeless encampments from parks and other public spaces....
Bonta’s anti-Exxon emails may have run afoul of CA corruption law: Claim

Bonta’s anti-Exxon emails may have run afoul of CA corruption law: Claim

By Michael Carroll | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Texas federal judge’s decision to allow ExxonMobil’s defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta to move forward could ensnare Bonta...
Expulsion votes for two members of Congress could happen next week, Luna says

Expulsion votes for two members of Congress could happen next week, Luna says

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Two more members of Congress may be forced to resign next week or face votes for their expulsion, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, says....
NAACP sues xAI over air pollution near Memphis data center

NAACP sues xAI over air pollution near Memphis data center

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The NAACP filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday against Elon Musk’s xAI, saying the company is illegally operating 27 methane gas turbines in Mississippi...
Trump says he's ready to nominate up to three Supreme Court justices

Trump says he’s ready to nominate up to three Supreme Court justices

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is "prepared" to nominate another Supreme Court justice to the bench, should a vacancy arise. No justice has publicly...
Military hostilities in Iran continue after Senate tanks War Powers Resolution

Military hostilities in Iran continue after Senate tanks War Powers Resolution

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square For the second time in the U.S. Senate, Republicans tanked a War Powers Resolution that would have halted the ongoing U.S. military operations in Iran....

WATCH: Detransitioner battles to revive landmark malpractice and fraud lawsuit

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A woman at the center of the detransition movement is waiting to find out if a North Carolina appeals court will let her case proceed...
Iran economic fallout is temporary, Hassett says

Iran economic fallout is temporary, Hassett says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The economic fallout of the U.S. conflict in Iran will be temporary, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said on Wednesday. Hassett touted the Trump...
Illinois Quick Hits: NFIB says biz deduction will bring jobs, benefit to Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: NFIB says biz deduction will bring jobs, benefit to Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The National Federation of Independent Business says Illinois is projected to gain 48,000 new jobs each year...
Soaring costs and short supply shut millennials out of housing market

Soaring costs and short supply shut millennials out of housing market

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Baby Boomers continue to dominate the U.S. housing market, buying and selling more homes last year than any other generation, while homeownership remains out of...
Vought testifies before lawmakers on Trump's $2.1T budget request

Vought testifies before lawmakers on Trump’s $2.1T budget request

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought met with U.S. lawmakers Wednesday to discuss the president’s $2.1 trillion budget proposal for the next fiscal...