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

Cheaper gas could take time amid tentative ceasefire

Cheaper gas could take time amid tentative ceasefire

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans hoping for cheaper gasoline after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire will need to be patient, as oil prices and other economic factors continue to work against...
Trump says military remains in place as talks with Iran set to begin

Trump says military remains in place as talks with Iran set to begin

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump says that increased military assets in the Middle East will remain in place and ready as the U.S. and Iran embark on...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-nonprofit exec sentenced for state, federal grant fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-nonprofit exec sentenced for state, federal grant fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former Chicago-area nonprofit executive has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for misappropriating nearly...
r66-centennial-logo

Will County Prepares for Route 66 Centennial with $3.4 Million in Grant Projects

Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: Will County is gearing up to be a central hub for the 100th anniversary of Route 66, backed by $3.4...
Lawmaker calls for department reform supporting Illinois families with disabled children

Lawmaker calls for department reform supporting Illinois families with disabled children

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Republican state representative in Illinois is continuing his push for simpler and less burdensome paths to...
Lawyers’ ‘misleading statements’ hang cloud over college finaid class action

Lawyers’ ‘misleading statements’ hang cloud over college finaid class action

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge won’t stop a class action alleging some of the country’s top higher education institutions colluded when awarding financial aid...
Ceasefire impact holds across markets despite varying reports on the Strait of Hormuz

Ceasefire impact holds across markets despite varying reports on the Strait of Hormuz

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Stock markets soared and oil prices plummeted after the start of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, despite conflicting reports regarding the Strait of Hormuz. After...
SEC chairman returns ''first principles' to public markets, supports Texas exchange

SEC chairman returns ”first principles’ to public markets, supports Texas exchange

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square At a Texas Stock Exchange roundtable in Miami, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins outlined his plan to return “first principles” to public markets....
Complaint filed against AMA Foundation for racially discriminatory scholarships

Complaint filed against AMA Foundation for racially discriminatory scholarships

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Medical group Do No Harm filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against the American Medical Association Foundation, questioning whether the organization should...
Democrats vow to hold Bondi in contempt for refusing Epstein deposition

Democrats vow to hold Bondi in contempt for refusing Epstein deposition

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is refusing to appear before the House Oversight Committee for her scheduled deposition April 14, an announcement that garnered a...
Commonwealth LNG signs supply deals with five major buyers

Commonwealth LNG signs supply deals with five major buyers

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The owners of the proposed Commonwealth LNG export facility in Louisiana announced supply deals with five major buyers as the company crossed a key threshold...
Lawmakers hear debate over data centers including revenue, headaches

Lawmakers hear debate over data centers including revenue, headaches

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With more than 100 new data center projects moving forward across Illinois in recent years, and thousands...
Illinois quick hits: Madigan corruption appeal to begin Thursday; Attorney General asks lawmakers for additional $15 million;

Illinois quick hits: Madigan corruption appeal to begin Thursday; Attorney General asks lawmakers for additional $15 million;

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan corruption appeal to begin Thursday Oral arguments are scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...
Deficit watchdog urges Congress to cut more, spend less than Trump's budget request

Deficit watchdog urges Congress to cut more, spend less than Trump’s budget request

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As congressional Republicans begin considering how to implement President Donald Trump’s budget request into next year’s government funding bills, fiscal responsibility groups are urging them...
Lawmaker pushes sales tax pause on gas as questions cloud 'fragile' ceasefire

Lawmaker pushes sales tax pause on gas as questions cloud ‘fragile’ ceasefire

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the average Illinois gas price about $1.40 per gallon higher on Wednesday than it was in...