Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

August 19, 2025/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion

A new round of construction has begun at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Airline officials joined federal, state and local politicians to kick off the $1.5 billion Concourse D. The new concourse will include 19 new gates, along with commercial space, lounge space and a children’s play area.

Judge sentences Virgin Islands man to more than 10 years in prison

A man has been sentenced to more than ten years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm in Rockford and violating the terms of his court-supervised release. Steven Baxter, 40, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of illegal firearm possession and violating the terms of supervised release. Prosecutors say Baxter admitted in a plea deal that he threatened several employees at a restaurant in 2022.

Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

A Homewood man has been charged in connection with a road rage incident in Chicago. Illinois State Police identified and arrested 33-year-old Cameron Jackson-Bey Sunday, less than 24 hours after he allegedly fired at the victim’s vehicle on I-94 in Chicago. Jackson-Bey is charged with felony aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Latest News Stories

Manhattan Parent Makes Emotional Plea for More Transparent School Threat Policies

Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:A Manhattan School District 114 parent emotionally addressed the Board of Education, describing a threat made against her third-grade son...

Chicago council committee rejects mayor’s proposed tax hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council Committee on Finance has rejected a package of higher taxes proposed by Mayor...

Illinois quick hits: Elections board considers primary election petition objections

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Elections board considers primary election petition objections Gov. J.B. Pritzker has one challenger in the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial primary. Former Chicago...

Feds: Illegal commercial drivers licenses issued in California

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square A federal agency reported the California Department of Motor Vehicles illegally issued thousands of commercial drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants. According to the U.S. Department...

Socialist candidate runs against Los Angeles mayor

By Dave MasonThe Center Square A trend of socialist mayoral candidates in the nation’s biggest cities is continuing with housing advocate Rae Chen Huang’s candidacy against Los Angeles Mayor Karen...

193 youth in care of Illinois’ child welfare agency missing in 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – So far this calendar year, Illinois’ child welfare agency reports 193 missing youth in care, an increase...

Hemp industry advocate promises to work with Pritzker, lawmakers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and an advocate for the Illinois hemp industry have different views on reform after...

Bill would make health care sharing ministries tax deductible

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The president of a health sharing ministry says he supports a bill that would make health share systems tax deductible, additionally stating that health sharing...

HHS terminates Biden-era rule that rewarded doctors for ‘anti-racism’ plans

By Tate MillerThe Center Square In a win for a return to meritorious health care systems and patient trust in them, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services terminated...

Average cost of family insurance nears $27,000 a year

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Average family health insurance premiums rose 6% in 2025, nearing $27,000, underscoring consistent increases and warning of more hikes ahead. Higher healthcare spending, including increased...

U.S. House to vote on releasing the Epstein files

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After pressuring Republicans for months to oppose any mass release of government records on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, President Donald Trump changed course just...

Vermont looks to encourage legal immigration pathways

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Vermont legislature is looking toward legal immigration pathways to address labor shortages throughout the state. Vermont passed a bipartisan bill in May calling for...

Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Will County Committee Approves Rezoning, Denies Landfill Permit for Former Joliet Beach Club Site

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday narrowly approved rezoning the former Joliet Beach...

FAA returns to normal operations after shutdown, launches probe

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Aviation Administration's emergency flight reductions ended Monday after Congress passed legislation funding the federal government last week, but the agency said it would...

Illinois truckers back federal pause on non-domiciled CDLs, hope state follows suit

By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois truckers are applauding a federal rule and hope the state enforces a pause on non-domiciled...

MANHATTAN LOCAL