Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

August 27, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS

The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms.

Originally filed in 2021, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sided with the county, upholding the ban in June of this year. In 2023, the state enacted a similar ban.

A Second Amendment challenge for the statewide ban is set to be heard by the appeals court Sept. 22. A district judge found the state’s ban unconstitutional last year.

Man sentenced for COVID fraud

A federal judge has sentenced a former Chicago man to a year and half in prison for scheming to fraudulently obtain nearly $2 million in small business loans from COVID relief funds.

Prosecutors say Samuel W. Jackson, 45, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after he and others spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury vehicles and at restaurants and entertainment venues.

Airport funding announced

More than $8 million in federal tax funds from the Trump administration is headed for airports across Illinois.

The U.S. Department of Transportation funding goes to improve taxiways, accommodate more passengers and make travelling easier.

An airport in Peoria is getting $7.6 million. Airports in Decatur and Bloomington are also receiving funds.

Community Events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

FBI: 'Potential' Halloween terror plot foiled; multiple subjects arrested in Michigan

FBI: ‘Potential’ Halloween terror plot foiled; multiple subjects arrested in Michigan

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The FBI says it thwarted a possible terror attack, arresting several individuals in Michigan, according to Director Kash Patel. “This morning the FBI thwarted a...

WATCH: Trick or treat: IL legislators pass tax increase, decoupling bill early Friday

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers are waking up Halloween morning to tax increases after the conclusion of fall veto session...

Noem refuses Pritzker enforcement pause request, IL passes sanctuary enhancement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Both the executive and legislative branches of Illinois government have made attempts to address federal immigration enforcement...

WATCH: Energy bill opponents say increases IL electric bills by $8 billion passes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have passed wide-ranging energy legislation, but opponents say it will lead to higher electricity bills....
WA Dems blame GOP for government shutdown; 1 million in state could lose SNAP benefits

WA Dems blame GOP for government shutdown; 1 million in state could lose SNAP benefits

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer say it’s not Democrats, but Republicans, who are responsible for keeping the federal...
Officials react to allegations of civilians impersonating ICE

Officials react to allegations of civilians impersonating ICE

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square One San Diego County supervisor is concerned about civilians posing as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents using fake ICE clothing and tactical gear and...
Illinois quick hits: IL taxpayers have highest pension debt obligations in U.S.

Illinois quick hits: IL taxpayers have highest pension debt obligations in U.S.

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Report: Illinois taxpayers have highest pension debt obligations in U.S. According to a new Reason Foundation report reviewing over 300 public...

WATCH: Bonta visits food bank amid lawsuit over CalFresh

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Thursday he is continuing to push for federal emergency contingency funding to restore millions of Californians’ food benefits as...
IL taxpayers to pay $20M for food banks as SNAP funding lapses start Saturday

IL taxpayers to pay $20M for food banks as SNAP funding lapses start Saturday

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers are going to cover $20 million in food subsidies to food banks across the state....
Poll: 7 in 10 of Americans are against mail-order abortion without a doctor visit

Poll: 7 in 10 of Americans are against mail-order abortion without a doctor visit

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A national poll shows that seven in 10 “likely voters” think a doctor visit for an abortion pill prescription should be required and many are...
Trump's plan to re-start nuclear weapons testing faces criticism

Trump’s plan to re-start nuclear weapons testing faces criticism

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's plan to restart testing of nuclear weapons drew concern from some foreign nations, disarmament groups and Democrats. Trump broke with decades of...
Illinois quick hits: Corrections director appointment approved; Clean Slate Act passes

Illinois quick hits: Corrections director appointment approved; Clean Slate Act passes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Corrections director appointment approved After more than two years of being appointed, Latoya Hughes was approved by the Illinois Senate to...
Tyler Robinson's in-person hearing delayed to January

Tyler Robinson’s in-person hearing delayed to January

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Utah County in-person hearing scheduled Thursday for Tyler James Robinson, 22 - charged with aggravated murder in the death of conservative leader Charlie Kirk...

WATCH: Clean Slate Act passes Illinois legislature despite opposition

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House has approved a Senate bill that modifies the Clean Slate Act to seal certain...
IL tax on billionaires’ ‘unrealized gains’ would face stiff constitutional test

IL tax on billionaires’ ‘unrealized gains’ would face stiff constitutional test

By Jonathan BilykThe Center Square While the provision may not ultimately be included in final legislation that Illinois Democrats ultimately enact to send hundreds of millions of dollars or more...