Illinois quick hits: Chicago man faces charges in road-rage shooting; migrant accused of murdering church volunteer; Illinois Liquor Control Commission launches new system

February 24, 2026/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Chicago man faces charges in road-rage shooting

A Chicago man is facing aggravated firearm charges after an alleged road-rage shooting on the Kennedy Expressway. Police say Rene Garica, 52, fired a weapon at another vehicle and struck a 14-year-old passenger on I-90 near Ogden Avenue last Wednesday. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Migrant accused of murdering church volunteer

A Venezuelan migrant is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing of a church volunteer who repeatedly tried to help him as he struggled with homelessness. CWB Chicago reports that Carlos Ochoa-Ynaga, 49, fled to California after he allegedly killed Juan Quiroz, 34, last September. Ochoa-Ynaga was brought back to Chicago this month to face charges.

Illinois Liquor Control Commission launches new system

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission says licensees may notice adjustments to workflows and processing timelines during the first 90 days of the agency’s new licensing and compliance portal. The ILCC recently launched its new system for license application, renewal and compliance. Training resources, guidance materials, and technical support information are available at ilcc.illinois.gov.

Latest News Stories

WATCH: Trump says ‘dangerous’ Chicago next after addressing crime in D.C.

By Greg BishopThe Center Square President Donald Trump says Chicago is next on his list of cities to focus on cleaning up crime. In December, after Trump was elected to...

Gallego, others question Meta on policies for kids using AI

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, along with nine other senators, wrote a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week inquiring about the company’s policies...

Commission enacted to aid young IL farmers facing challenges

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a law launching the Farmland Transition Commission, a lifeline for young farmers...

Appeals court: Serious Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A panel of appellate court judges has ruled Chicago police officers facing serious misconduct allegations must...

WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with...

Georgia ICE arrests up 367 percent from 2021, making for ‘safer streets, open jobs

By Tate MillerThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests surged by 367% in Georgia this year, with 4,500 illegal aliens arrested in the state between January 20 and...

Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Disaster proclaimed in three counties A disaster proclamation has been issued for Cook, Jersey and Calhoun counties after severe weather last month. Gov. J.B....

Experts call for probe after Microsoft left out China ties in Pentagon security plan

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Microsoft is facing renewed calls for a congressional investigation after ProPublica revealed the company omitted key details about its use of China-based engineers in a...

FBI raids the home of John Bolton

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Maryland home of former UN Ambassador John Bolton has been raided by the FBI, according to multiple reports. FBI Director Kash Patel posted a...

Village Honors Life and Service of Late ESDA Deputy Director Bill Pitakei

Article Summary: The Village of New Lenox paid tribute to the late Bill Pitakei, a longtime member and deputy director of the village's Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA), honoring...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education for August 18, 2025

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed a tentative $162.5 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year during its meeting on Monday. The budget projects a...

New Lenox Fire Board Denies Homeowner’s Request for Sprinkler System Variance

New Lenox Fire Protection District Meeting | July 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously denied a variance request from a homeowner who sought...

Will County Executive Proposes $791 Million Budget Focused on Stability Amidst Economic Uncertainty

Article Summary: Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant presented a balanced $791 million budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 that aims to maintain services and prepare for potential economic challenges without...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Township Board of Trustees for July 10, 2025

New Lenox Township Board of Trustees Meeting | July 10, 2025 The New Lenox Township Board of Trustees took several key actions during its meeting on July 10, 2025, most...

New Lenox Park District Reports Nearly 30% Surge in Summer Program Registrations

New Lenox Community Park District Meeting | July 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Community Park District experienced a significant increase in summer program participation, with registration numbers for June...

« Previous
1
…
146
147
148
149
150
…
173
Next »