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

Congress returns to backlog of must-pass legislation

Congress returns to backlog of must-pass legislation

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After leaving town for a week without sending a key immigration enforcement funding package to President Donald Trump’s desk, Congress returns Monday to a backlog...
Climate science without a notorious worst-case scenario

Climate science without a notorious worst-case scenario

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change threw out one of its most extreme emissions scenarios last week, a major development in climate science...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board for May 18, 2026

Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board for May 18, 2026 The New Lenox Village Board moved through a busy agenda Monday, May 18, 2026, approving more than $1.9...
Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks

Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Top Democrat leaders in the Illinois legislature met with Gov. J.B. Pritzker late Friday behind closed doors...
Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy

Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer watchdog is calling for a potential criminal investigation after allegations surfaced that a suburban...
Proposed $250 bill could be a boon for drug cartels, experts warn

Proposed $250 bill could be a boon for drug cartels, experts warn

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A proposal to create the largest U.S. currency denomination in more than 50 years could unintentionally benefit drug cartels, money launderers and tax cheats, according...
Iowa voters head to the polls for fierce races

Iowa voters head to the polls for fierce races

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Iowa will head to the polls Tuesday to elect candidates in several high-profile primary races that will be watched across the country. Many...
Screenshot 2026-05-23 at 7.23.02 PM

District 210 Transportation Update Details Fuel Swings, New Bus Safety Technology

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 Transportation Director Andy Rezer told the board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that fuel...
Speakers object to transgender athletes in girls sports

Speakers object to transgender athletes in girls sports

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As state track and field championships commenced Friday at Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., protesters set up across the street to take aim at...
Taxpayers group, economist praise Pratt's plan for homelessness in LA

Taxpayers group, economist praise Pratt’s plan for homelessness in LA

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Critics may not care for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt’s plan to deal with the drug-addicted homeless population, but a taxpayers organization and an...
Almost 25,000 immigration arrests made in Florida

Almost 25,000 immigration arrests made in Florida

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Since Florida launched its immigration enforcement effort, Operation Tidal Wave, in February, nearly 25,000 arrests have been made statewide. “Florida will continue to use every...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment numbers rise; Champaign job growth continues

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment numbers rise; Champaign job growth continues

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security,...
Filing lawsuits doesn’t immunize Gori vs asbestos fraud claims: New filing

Filing lawsuits doesn’t immunize Gori vs asbestos fraud claims: New filing

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying "human tragedy is no license for fraud," a plastic pipes maker is urging a federal judge to reject the bid to...
Exxon, global agencies warn of oil price spike within weeks

Exxon, global agencies warn of oil price spike within weeks

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A top ExxonMobil executive warned that oil prices could surge to between $150 and $160 per barrel within weeks as conflict in the Middle East...
Bondi defends Epstein files release, denies Trump involvement

Bondi defends Epstein files release, denies Trump involvement

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of files associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and did not answer...