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

Frankfort Approves Over $19 Million in Surplus Fund Transfers for Future Projects

Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board has approved the transfer of more than $19 million in surplus operating revenues to its capital funds to finance future infrastructure projects, equipment purchases,...

Frankfort Advances Plans for New Multi-Use Paths to Boost Pedestrian Safety

Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved a $77,500 agreement with Robinson Engineering, Ltd. to design two new multi-use paths aimed at improving safety and connectivity in Main Park and...

Frankfort Police Department to Purchase New Portable Radios for $31,000

Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved the purchase of 14 new Kenwood portable radios for the police department at a cost not to exceed $31,000. The new equipment will...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Frankfort Board for August 18, 2025

The Village of Frankfort Board leveraged a significant budget surplus at its August 18 meeting, approving the transfer of over $19 million into capital funds designated for future infrastructure, equipment,...

Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their...

30 charged in TdA drug trafficking, murder-for-hire and firearms offenses

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to pursue violent criminal foreign nationals, two federal indictments were made public charging 30 people, including several...

White House touts D.C. crackdown; no timeline on National Guard deployment

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a week after President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” in Washington, D.C., his administration is touting the operation as a success as more...

Trump signs bill studying cancer among military pilots

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square President Donald Trump has signed into law the Aviator Cancer Examination Study Act, which seeks to address cancer rates among former and current military aircrew...

Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economic issues are front and center for Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois. Former Illinois GOP Chairman...

DOJ promises release of some Epstein records this week

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice will comply with a subpoena for records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as part of a congressional investigation,...

Book: Foreign countries pose greatest threat to free speech on college campuses

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A senior scholar at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argues in her new book that the greatest threat to free speech in higher...

Executive Committee Details Spending of $134 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds

Article Summary: Will County has expended 61% of its $134 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with significant investments made in infrastructure, health, and economic development. Officials...

Ohio congressional districts must be redrawn this fall

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square While politics is pushing redistricting efforts in other states, Ohio is under a rule of the people to change congressional maps before the midterm elections....

Treasury sanctions accused Costa Rican drug traffickers

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration announced sanctions against four Costa Rican drug traffickers and two business entities as part of an effort to crackdown on cocaine. “Costa...

S&P keeps U.S. outlook stable, but says federal finances won’t improve

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A top-credit rating agency decided to keep its outlook for U.S. credit stable, but said the federal government's financial position "won't meaningfully improve" in the...

« Previous
1
…
154
155
156
157
158
…
186
Next »