Illinois quick hits: Chicago man faces charges in road-rage shooting; migrant accused of murdering church volunteer; Illinois Liquor Control Commission launches new system

February 24, 2026/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Chicago man faces charges in road-rage shooting

A Chicago man is facing aggravated firearm charges after an alleged road-rage shooting on the Kennedy Expressway. Police say Rene Garica, 52, fired a weapon at another vehicle and struck a 14-year-old passenger on I-90 near Ogden Avenue last Wednesday. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Migrant accused of murdering church volunteer

A Venezuelan migrant is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing of a church volunteer who repeatedly tried to help him as he struggled with homelessness. CWB Chicago reports that Carlos Ochoa-Ynaga, 49, fled to California after he allegedly killed Juan Quiroz, 34, last September. Ochoa-Ynaga was brought back to Chicago this month to face charges.

Illinois Liquor Control Commission launches new system

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission says licensees may notice adjustments to workflows and processing timelines during the first 90 days of the agency’s new licensing and compliance portal. The ILCC recently launched its new system for license application, renewal and compliance. Training resources, guidance materials, and technical support information are available at ilcc.illinois.gov.

Latest News Stories

Southwest low on list of safest states; Northeast at the top

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Northeast corner is the safest part of the U.S., according to a new WalletHub study. The Southwest? Not so much. Issues such as high...

Washington state attorney general agrees to protect seal of confession

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square The Washington State Attorney General's Office reported on Friday that it has reached an agreement with the Catholic Church over a new abuse reporting law....

Pacific Northwest journalists sound off on Antifa at President Trump’s roundtable

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Journalists from the Pacific Northwest took part in President Donald Trump’s Wednesday roundtable discussion on Antifa that included top cabinet officials and other independent members...

Nvidia will pay 100k visa fees, others unsure

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said his company would pay $100,000 fees for H-1B visas imposed by the Trump administration. On Sept. 19, President Donald Trump...

‘Shameful:’ GOP leaders frustrated with Dems on tenth day of shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators have left town for the weekend and will not vote again on a federal funding bill until Tuesday, meaning the ongoing government shutdown...

Trump snubbed by Nobel Committee, praised by winner

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After being credited for ending seven wars, President Donald Trump was snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump, who accumulated several high-profile nominations for the...

Will County Committee Approves Preliminary $161.6M Tax Levy on Split Vote Amid Heated Debate Over Spending

Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a preliminary $161.6 million property tax levy for 2025, which projects...

Will County Eyes Major Overhaul to Consolidate Scattered Government Offices

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County officials are formally debating a new facilities master plan to address aging buildings and dozens...

Trump threatens tariffs on China over ‘hostile’ rare earths policy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened a "massive increase" in tariffs on products from China after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth minerals critical to advanced...

Illinois legislator urges school discipline to focus on behavior, not race

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – McLean County Unit 5 submits a new discipline plan under state law after racial disparities are...

WATCH: Trump appeals Guard TRO as DHS looks to ‘double down’ law enforcement in Chicago

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the latest...

Illinois quick hits: Trump appeals judge’s Guard order; ICE fence ordered down in Broadview

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump appeals judge's Guard order The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the...

Trump administration appeals Illinois TRO blocking National Guard deployment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge’s temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking the administration’s...

Sheriff’s Office Reports Crime Down 10%, Cites Body Cam Footage as Main Challenge of Safety Act

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff's Office reported a nearly 10% overall drop in crime compared to the same...

Will County Considers Moving Land Use Public Hearings Away from Full Board Meetings

Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: A proposal to move the final public hearing for zoning and land use cases from the full Will County Board...

« Previous
1
…
121
122
123
124
125
…
166
Next »