Illinois Quick Hits: CTA leader addresses transit security

Illinois Quick Hits: CTA leader addresses transit security

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Chicago Transit Authority Acting President Nora Leerhsen says the agency has increased law enforcement hours by 75% across the system.

When reporters asked Leehrsen and Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday about the CTA laying off more than 150 unarmed private security guards while implementing a new security plan, Leehrsen said Chicago police and Cook County Sheriff’s officers would be deployed in a targeted, data-informed way.

Leehrsen said the agency has also increased cleaning resources.

FORMER CHICAGO GANG LEADER GETS LIFE SENTENCE

A former Chicago gang leader has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, two murders in aid of racketeering, and extortion.

A federal jury convicted Labar Spann, 47, in December after finding that he committed a total of four murders in a premeditated manner between July 2000 and June 2003.

Prosecutors say Spann was a leader of the Four Corner Hustlers who terrorized Chicago’s West Side for two decades.

DEM COUNTY CHAIRS PRAISE REELECTION OF HERNANDEZ AS STATE CHAIR

The Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association is congratulating state Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, on her reelection as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

Hernandez has served as party chair since July 2022, when she succeeded U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. IDCCA President Mark Goethe said Hernandez has been a strong, thoughtful leader for the party.

NAPERVILLE SCHOOLS WIN FINANCIAL LITERACY COMPETITION

A student team from Naperville Central High School is slated to compete in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta next month after winning a statewide literacy contest that included 579 participants.

The four winning students each received a $1,500 Bright Start college savings scholarship for winning the 2026 Illinois Personal Finance Challenge sponsored by Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. E

ach student on the second-place team from Neuqua Valley High School, also in Naperville, received a $1,000 Bright Start scholarship.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Will County Logo Graphic

Will County Committee Adds Path to Citizenship Support to Federal Agenda

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Legislative Committee voted on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to amend its federal legislative agenda...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Health Department Outlines Major Reduction in Consensus Vaccine Schedule

Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: Will County Health Department Executive Director Elizabeth Bilotta clarified changes to the childhood immunization schedule,...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Public Works Committee Forwards Condemnation Proceedings for Francis and Marley Road Improvements

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The committee authorized the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office to proceed with condemnation cases to acquire...
Will County Finance Logo

Finance Committee: Scholarship Tax Credit Discussion Halts

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: A heated procedural debate erupted at the Will County Board Finance Committee meeting when a member attempted to...
Newsom predicts smaller budget shortfall than state agency

Newsom predicts smaller budget shortfall than state agency

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square In his proposed budget, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is predicting a shortfall of $2.9 billion. That's much less than the $18 billion shortfall projected by...
Colorado ordered to pay $5.4M after abortion law blocked

Colorado ordered to pay $5.4M after abortion law blocked

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado must pay back legal fees after it was sued for a law banning abortion pill reversals, a federal court ruled this week. The state...
Four Republicans certified for primary to take on Pritzker

Four Republicans certified for primary to take on Pritzker

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Republican primary election for who will take on Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November is set. Democrats...
Illinois quick hits: State sues over frozen funds; Nicor Gas seeks rate hike

Illinois quick hits: State sues over frozen funds; Nicor Gas seeks rate hike

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State sues over frozen funds Illinois is one of five states suing the Trump administration over a freeze of more than...
Treasury, IRS ramp up investigation into Minnesota fraud

Treasury, IRS ramp up investigation into Minnesota fraud

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The administration continues to ramp up its response to the massive social services fraud in Minnesota, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent enumerating steps his department...
Tariff authority decision still awaited from Supreme Court

Tariff authority decision still awaited from Supreme Court

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Tariff authority by second-term Republican President Donald Trump was not decided by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, meaning the federal government can continue to...
Minneapolis schools offer remote learning while ICE operations continue

Minneapolis schools offer remote learning while ICE operations continue

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square Minneapolis Public Schools can choose remote learning for at least a month in the wake of the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer...
Trump administration sued for freezing child care funds

Trump administration sued for freezing child care funds

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New York is leading four other states in suing the Trump administration over a freeze of more than $10 billion in federal funding for child...
Minnesota authorities cut out of ICE shooting investigation

Minnesota authorities cut out of ICE shooting investigation

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriaty said the community could be left in the dark after the FBI refused to cooperate with local authorities to investigate...
WATCH: SCOTUS considers gun ban; Pritzker responds to funding freeze; Bailey’s blueprint

WATCH: SCOTUS considers gun ban; Pritzker responds to funding freeze; Bailey’s blueprint

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 discusses the status...
Illinois quick hits: Killeen stepping down from U of I in 2027

Illinois quick hits: Killeen stepping down from U of I in 2027

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Killeen stepping down from U of I in 2027 University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen says he stepping down at...