Illinois Quick Hits: ICE arrests woman accused of helping never-charged shooting suspects

Illinois Quick Hits: ICE arrests woman accused of helping never-charged shooting suspects

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officials have arrested a Venezuelan national who was accused of helping two alleged Tren de Aragua members evade law enforcement after a December 2024 shooting that left three people dead and others injured in Chicago.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says police found weapons in 32-year-old Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti’s vehicle after she drove the two alleged shooters, Ricardo Granadillo Padilla and Edward Martinez Cermeno, following the crime. B

oth Granadillo Padilla and Martinez Cermeno were arrested and deported, but neither man was charged after being arrested in connection with the shooting.

DHS said Moreno Occhipinti was in the U.S. illegally and remains in custody pending removal.

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF: DETECTIVES RESCUED GIRL FROM ALLEGED CHILD PORN SOLICITOR

The Lake County Sheriff’s office says county detectives rescued a girl from a man who traveled from Georgia to meet her.

Jordy Alexis Fuerte Perez, 24, is charged with solicitation of child pornography and unlawful possession of cocaine after he was discovered with a missing girl under the age of 14 in a parking lot near Libertyville.

Detectives used public safety camera technology to locate the suspect’s vehicle. The sheriff’s office says additional charges are likely.

PRITZKER, GOVERNORS OPPOSE ‘STOP CLIMATE SHAKEDOWNS ACT’

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has joined nine fellow governors urging Congress to reject recently-introduced legislation they say preempts the authority of state and local governments to implement laws that protect residents from climate change.

In a letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders, the governors say Senate Bill 4340 and HR 8330 also strip state and local governments of their ability to pursue legal action when corporations harm residents with pollution.

COOK COUNTY OFFERS $2 MILLION MORE IN DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE

Cook County officials have announced the allocation of $2 million for a third phase of the county’s down payment assistance program.

County taxpayers previously funded $11.6 million in down payment assistance during the first two phases of the program.

Last Wednesday, county board president Toni Preckwinkle announced a projected budget gap of $550.7 million for fiscal year 2027.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Senator says taxpayers fleeced by corrections department

Senator says taxpayers fleeced by corrections department

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Corrections is facing questions over its failure to comply with state law while...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches 'tax the rich' campaign

Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches ‘tax the rich’ campaign

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator backed by the Chicago Teachers Union is renewing her call to tax the rich...
Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants

Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is raising concerns about a proposal he says would expand access...
will county board meeting graphic.5

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for April 7, 2026

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 The Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, moving forward a...
Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center

Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B....
Will County Board Graphic.03

Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout Complete, Body Scanner Installed at Juvenile Center

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Facilities Department announced the successful completion of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) building...
Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds

Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Online Chinese discount marketplace giants Temu and Shein have each been hit with nationwide class action lawsuits, demanding they repay customers for...
Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges

Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation when it comes...
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends

Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
—Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock

Forest Preserve District Advances Major Extensions and Repairs on Plum Creek Greenway Trail in Crete Township

Article Summary: The Forest Preserve District is currently undertaking dual construction projects on the Plum Creek Greenway Trail, initiating a massive 1.5-mile southern extension through Plum Valley Preserve and commencing...
Packet_2026040714195175

Will County Survey Reveals Widespread AI Use as IT Drafts Governance Policy

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: An internal survey revealed that nearly a dozen Will County departments are already utilizing Artificial Intelligence...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for March 19, 2026

Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 The Will County Board met on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to handle a diverse agenda that included heavy infrastructure spending, large-scale tax...
AARP_Fraud

AARP Urges Will County to Ban Cryptocurrency Kiosks Amid Exploding Senior Fraud Rates

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: Representatives from AARP Illinois presented alarming new FBI data to the Will County Board Legislative Committee, revealing $11...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Approves $2.9 Million Engineering Contract for Bluff Road Reconstruction in Channahon

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The county is advancing a massive overhaul of Bluff Road in Channahon, approving a nearly $3...