Illinois quick hits: Woman charged in Metro East murder; taxpayer funded homeowner relief fund announced

September 29, 2025/

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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Woman charged in Metro East murder

A Belleville woman is under arrested in connection with a homicide in East St. Louis, according to the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Public Safety Enforcement Group.

Michelle A. Schultz, 38, is charged with the fatal stabbing of Van T. Perry, 67, of East St. Louis last Friday.

Schultz is charged with first-degree murder and was in custody during the issuance of charges.

Taxpayer funded homeowner relief fund announced

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioner Bridget Gainer have announced the opening of the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund.

The $15 million program funded by county taxpayers is intended to assist homeowners who have experienced a substantial increase in property taxes in recent years.

Selected recipients will receive $1,000 in one-time assistance.

Deer season opens Wednesday

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters that the state’s archery deer season opens Oct. 1.

In counties with a firearm deer season and west of Illinois 47 in Kane County, archery hunting will be open for three periods: Oct. 1 through Nov. 20, Nov. 24 through Dec. 3 and Dec. 8 through Jan. 18.

Archery deer season runs Oct. 1 through Jan. 18 in counties with no firearm deer season, including Cook, DuPage, Lake and east of Illinois 47 in Kane County.

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