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

FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere

FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As Christine Finch helped her father, Graham Finch, gather his luggage at the San Francisco International Airport, she was worried about how flight delays caused...
Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists

Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal judge has barred federal agents from U.S. Border Patrol and ICE from conducting crowd control actions anywhere in northern...
Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding

Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The CEnter Square) – The latest education statistics indicate stagnant proficiency for public school students in Illinois, despite dramatic increases in...
Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill

Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A government watchdog group has filed ethics complaints against more than a dozen Democratic legislators in Colorado. Common Cause alleges the legislators had $25,000 in...
Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption

Union Pacific to ask appeals court for biometrics lawsuit exemption

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Though he has said he believes the company's position would lead to legally "absurd" results, a federal judge will still allow freight...
Illinois quick hits: Notices of affected flights; injunction issued over ICE force

Illinois quick hits: Notices of affected flights; injunction issued over ICE force

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Notices of affected flights Chicago-based United Airlines is promising to let passengers know “as soon as possible” if their flights are affected by the...
Evers, Grisham fly to Brazil for climate change summit as government remains shut down

Evers, Grisham fly to Brazil for climate change summit as government remains shut down

By Tate MillerThe Center Square In the midst of the ongoing government shutdown, a number of Democrat governors, mayors and other officials are flying to Brazil climate change convenings. Founder...
Upcoming mass flight cancellations worry U.S. air travelers

Upcoming mass flight cancellations worry U.S. air travelers

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With dozens of major U.S. airports reducing their flight volumes starting Friday, travelers will see droves of flights cancelled nationwide for the duration of the...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.4

JJC Authorizes Land Buy for Grundy County Expansion, Secures Site in Morris

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryThe Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees has authorized negotiations for a land acquisition to build a...
Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster

Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In the aftermath of Tuesday’s elections in other parts of the country, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is...
Trump administration finds SNAP fraud

Trump administration finds SNAP fraud

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to root out fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as...

WATCH: Trump says tariffs may cost Americans ‘something’ but keep U.S. safe

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday Americans should be thankful for his tariffs, which he said he has used to end wars that Americans would otherwise...
Chicago mayor: IL legislature has 'more work to do' on tax increases

Chicago mayor: IL legislature has ‘more work to do’ on tax increases

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to see more tax increases from the Illinois General Assembly, but a...
will county board graphic

Commission Grants Green Garden Solar Farm Project Variance Extension

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission granted a 180-day extension for two variances related to a commercial...
Chicago pension, debt services costs among highest in country

Chicago pension, debt services costs among highest in country

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s budget has grown by nearly 40% since 2019 with the biggest increased expenditure going toward...