Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A circuit court judge has ruled that Cook County spent $243 million in violation of the Illinois constitution.

According to Criminal Watch, Judge Alison Conlon ruled that the county’s use of transportation-related tax revenues during the 2023 fiscal year violated the state’s Safe Roads Amendment.

The court found that Cook County’s diversion of $243 million did not meet the amendment’s requirement that revenue from fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees and other transportation taxes be used exclusively for transportation infrastructure and related operations.

DRUG CHARGES

A federal drug investigation has resulted in criminal charges against a Chicago couple and seven other individuals for allegedly trafficking cocaine in the Chicago area.

Joel Andrade, 34, and Maria Brenda Mora-Hernandez, 32, are charged with drug conspiracy, drug distribution and firearm offenses.

The other defendants also face federal drug charges.

BANK TAKEOVER

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Banking, in cooperation with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, took possession and control of Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust in Chicago on Friday.

Susana Soriano, Acting Director of IDFPR’s Division of Banking, said Metropolitan was closed due to unsafe and unsound conditions and an impaired capital position.

First Independence Bank of Detroit, Michigan agreed to buy the bank. Soriano said the action would not cause depositors to lose any money.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Will County Board Graphic.02

Committee Advances Nearly $212,000 in Road and Facility Contracts for Jackson Township and Monee

Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee approved two infrastructure contracts totaling over $212,000 for...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Committee Hits Brakes on License Plate Reader Agreements Awaiting Privacy Policy Review

Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee delayed votes on five intergovernmental agreements for Automated...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for May 5, 2026

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee focused heavily on long-term infrastructure planning during its...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning

Green Garden Solar Project Cleared to Implement Higher “Agrivoltaic” Standards

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved four variances on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to facilitate...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Committee: Facilities Department Reports $92,000 in Energy Savings, Completes Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryAssistant Director of Facilities Ken Rogalski reported significant energy savings and the completion of key county...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning

Green Garden Solar Farm Approved in Split Vote; Battery Storage Component Rejected

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for a new 4.98-megawatt solar facility in Green...
Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears

Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As he travels to Springfield to lobby for state funding of local governments, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson...
Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP

Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans are forging ahead with legislation to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Patrol along party lines. The two Senate committees...
Illinois AI regulations have mild industry support, could draw federal ire

Illinois AI regulations have mild industry support, could draw federal ire

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Experts in artificial intelligence spoke to state lawmakers recently, providing guidance on four bills introduced in the...
DOJ files complaint to block Minnesota climate lawsuit

DOJ files complaint to block Minnesota climate lawsuit

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a complaint against Minnesota, seeking to block the state from continuing to pursue a lawsuit against energy companies...
Hegseth: Ceasefire holds despite Iranian aggression

Hegseth: Ceasefire holds despite Iranian aggression

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Despite Iranian forces opening fire on American warships in the Strait of Hormuz Monday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire still holds and the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Mayors to visit capitol urge protection of local funding

Illinois Quick Hits: Mayors to visit capitol urge protection of local funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reverse his proposed budget cut to local...
Despite tax revolt, Lower Merion keeps administrator pay high

Despite tax revolt, Lower Merion keeps administrator pay high

By Mark StricherzThe Center Square Despite a $27 million settlement with taxpayers in 2022, Lower Merion School District continues to pay top-tier salaries to administrators.Assistant high school principals in the...
Supreme Court allows Louisiana to immediately move on drawing new map

Supreme Court allows Louisiana to immediately move on drawing new map

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square Louisiana lawmakers can immediately begin drawing a new congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday night put into effect its ruling striking down...
After Fifth Circuit ruling on TX border security law, ACLU sues to stop it from going into effect

After Fifth Circuit ruling on TX border security law, ACLU sues to stop it from going into effect

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Roughly one week after the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals handed Texas a win on its border security law, SB 4, the law is...