Illinois Quick Hits: At least 7 tornadoes hit Illinois last week

Illinois Quick Hits: At least 7 tornadoes hit Illinois last week

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The National Weather Service says at least seven tornadoes impacted Illinois last Friday afternoon and evening.

The Stephenson County Sheriff’s office said the village of Lena suffered widespread damage, but there were no deaths or serious injuries reported.

The National Weather Service reported three tornadoes in Winnebago County as well as twisters in LaSalle, Livingston, Ford and Iroquois counties.

FIRM’S SPACE REDUCED BY CHICAGO LEASE EXTENSION

A Chicago consulting firm says its workforce is not affected by the company’s reduced square footage in downtown Chicago.

A spokesperson for Huron Consulting Group told The Center Square that the firm modified and extended its lease through 2037 to formalize adjustments made during the pandemic.

The spokesperson said the current agreement reflects a reduction in square footage, but the company has not occupied that square footage since 2020.

PENSION BUYOUT PROGRAM EXTENDED

A two-year extension of Illinois’ COLA pension buyout program is headed to the state Senate.

The voluntary program allows retirees in Illinois’ four statewide retirement systems to receive a lump-sum payment in exchange for forgoing future 3% compounded cost-of-living adjustments.

The House passed HB 5196 unanimously on Friday. Supporters say the buyouts have reduced Illinois’ pension liabilities by an estimated $2.6 billion.

MAN GETS 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR PROVIDING MATERIAL SUPPORT TO ISIS

A Chicago man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham by using social media to encourage attacks on ISIS enemies and to recruit ISIS members.

Prosecutors said Ashraf Al Safoo, 41, was a leader of Khattab Media Foundation, an online organization that created and disseminated threats and ISIS propaganda on social media and other online platforms.

Al Safoo, 41, has been in custody since his 2018 arrest in Chicago.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

ISU's union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying

ISU’s union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State University support employees have entered their fourth week on strike this week as more state...
Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50

Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gas prices have surged in Illinois, and an American Automobile Association spokesperson says several factors are to...
Lincoln Way Central Baseball Graphic

Lockport Pitching Shines in Combined One-Hitter to Secure 5-3 Victory Over Lincoln-Way Central

Despite committing five defensive errors that led to three unearned runs, the Lockport varsity baseball team relied on a dominant combined one-hitter and a timely offensive surge to defeat Lincoln-Way...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft

Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The former director of the East St. Louis public library has been sentenced to 15 months in...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 8.34.35 AM

Lincoln-Way Central Auxiliary Field to Get $463,875 Artificial Turf Upgrade

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved the purchase of artificial turf from FieldTurf USA for $463,875.62, which will...
New-Lenox-School-122.5

New Lenox 122 Authorizes $1 Million iPad Refresh for Middle Grades

New Lenox School District 122 Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education authorized a massive technology purchase, allocating over $1 million to refresh the district's aging fleet...
House committee advances FISA, farm, budget to floor vote

House committee advances FISA, farm, budget to floor vote

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House Rules committee, in a 9-4 vote, advanced the farm bill, FISA extension and Senate-passed budget resolution to the House floor for a...
Comey indicted on charges of making threats against the president

Comey indicted on charges of making threats against the president

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Former FBI Director James Comey could face up to 20 years in prison following an indictment on two felony counts, with the Department of Justice...
Southwest worker wins $1M judgment against union in religious discrimination case

Southwest worker wins $1M judgment against union in religious discrimination case

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nine years after suing, a flight attendant won her case against Southwest Airlines and the Transport Workers Union after she was fired for opposing union...
Prosecutors probe past comments of man charged in correspondents' dinner attack

Prosecutors probe past comments of man charged in correspondents’ dinner attack

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal prosecutors plan to dig into past comments made by the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents'...

Age checks, algorithm regulations proposed to shield Illinois kids online

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Children’s safety online has been an issue of interest for lawmakers in Springfield this year, with dozens...
King Charles defends U.S., NATO alliance during address to Congress

King Charles defends U.S., NATO alliance during address to Congress

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In honor of the United States’ 250th birthday, King Charles III delivered a joint address in Congress Tuesday afternoon, highlighting the bond between the U.S....
Chinese national indicted in COVID-era hacking scheme extradited to Texas

Chinese national indicted in COVID-era hacking scheme extradited to Texas

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A years-long effort has resulted in the extradition of a Chinese national facing multiple espionage charges in Houston. Chinese national Xu Zewei was extradited to...
Illinois Quick Hits: $60M sports complex opens in Springfield

Illinois Quick Hits: $60M sports complex opens in Springfield

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new sports complex in Springfield will bring in an estimated $25 million...
Florida House panel approves new congressional district map

Florida House panel approves new congressional district map

By David BeasleyThe Center Square Plans to redraw Florida’s congressional districts, which could give Republicans a gain of four seats as the midterm elections approach, has been approved by a...