Illinois quick hits: Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national; tentative Chicago firefighters contract

Illinois quick hits: Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national; tentative Chicago firefighters contract

August 12, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national

The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Department says toxicology testing will be conducted to determine if alcohol was a factor in a rural Orangeville crash which claimed the lives of a Guatemalan national and a Freeport woman last Saturday.

Deputies say the car driven by Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, of Guatemala crossed the center line on Illinois Route 26 and struck an SUV driven by Darcy Connolly-Brunner, 61, of Freeport. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.

State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, said Ico-Choc was a repeat DUI offender who was also an illegal immigrant.

Tentative Chicago firefighters contract

After working under an expired contract for four years, Chicago firefighters have a tentative agreement to consider.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Fire Department Firefighters Union Local 2 announced the deal Tuesday without disclosing terms.

AbbVie to invest $195 million

A pharmaceutical company plans to invest $195 million to expand its manufacturing facility in North Chicago.

AbbVie made the announcement Tuesday along with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The deal includes Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits and has a target number of 50 new jobs.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

ICE, Florida officers arrest 230, including 150 sex offenders

ICE, Florida officers arrest 230, including 150 sex offenders

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers arrested 230 foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally, many with extensive criminal histories....
With shutdown over, fight over Obamacare reform is on

With shutdown over, fight over Obamacare reform is on

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the record-long government shutdown finally over, Republicans are ramping up conversations about how to reform Obamacare and address the rising cost of insurance premiums....
Feds launch initiative to conduct welfare checks on unaccompanied minors

Feds launch initiative to conduct welfare checks on unaccompanied minors

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has launched an initiative with state and local law enforcement 287(g) partners to locate roughly 450,000 “unaccompanied alien children” (UACs)...
Judge: Biden-era decree deal requires release of 600+ from ICE detention

Judge: Biden-era decree deal requires release of 600+ from ICE detention

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden has ruled potentially hundreds of illegal immigrants must be released from federal...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago treasurer to boycott U.S. securities to protest against Trump; Governor marks opening of new union training center; Illinois farms expected to lose $67.2 million a year

Illinois quick hits: Chicago treasurer to boycott U.S. securities to protest against Trump; Governor marks opening of new union training center; Illinois farms expected to lose $67.2 million a year

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Treasurer to boycott U.S. Treasury securities to protest against Trump Chicago’s finances may take another hit after City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.1

Will County Committee Denies Appeal for Crete Township ‘Tiny Home’ Permit

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday upheld the denial of a temporary use...
Darby Farms subdivision

Darby Farms Residents Raise Concerns Over Detention Pond Maintenance

New Lenox Village Board Meeting | November 10, 2025 Article Summary: A resident of the Woodlong Avenue area addressed the New Lenox Village Board with ongoing concerns about the maintenance,...
Illinois quick hits: WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October

Illinois quick hits: WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act for October reports...
Pritzker, alders oppose Chicago tax plans, property tax hike could be next

Pritzker, alders oppose Chicago tax plans, property tax hike could be next

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Chicago City Council considers 2026 budget measures, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed tax hikes continue to...
Boeing to pay $36M to family of Indian woman killed in Ethiopia Air crash

Boeing to pay $36M to family of Indian woman killed in Ethiopia Air crash

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The family of a woman from India who died in a 2019 airliner crash could receive nearly $35 million from Boeing, under...

WATCH: Lawmakers call out Pritzker for lack of transparency with budget cuts

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers say they are not getting information from Gov. J.B. Pritzker or state agencies about the...
IL congressman pushes military to accept CLT, experts say it could shape education

IL congressman pushes military to accept CLT, experts say it could shape education

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributiorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman is pushing to expand testing options at U.S. service academies, a move experts...
Illinois, Chicago residents rank high taxes as state’s top issue

Illinois, Chicago residents rank high taxes as state’s top issue

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the state now losing a resident to another state every nine minutes and more than...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House members vote along party lines; More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days; State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold

Illinois quick hits: Illinois House members vote along party lines; More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days; State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House members vote along party lines Illinois U.S. House members voted along party lines as the chamber approved legislation to...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

New Lenox Solar Farm Gains County Committee Approval with Conditions

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: A 63-acre commercial solar energy facility on Spencer Road in New Lenox Township received a key endorsement...