Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

August 19, 2025/

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion

A new round of construction has begun at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Airline officials joined federal, state and local politicians to kick off the $1.5 billion Concourse D. The new concourse will include 19 new gates, along with commercial space, lounge space and a children’s play area.

Judge sentences Virgin Islands man to more than 10 years in prison

A man has been sentenced to more than ten years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm in Rockford and violating the terms of his court-supervised release. Steven Baxter, 40, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of illegal firearm possession and violating the terms of supervised release. Prosecutors say Baxter admitted in a plea deal that he threatened several employees at a restaurant in 2022.

Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

A Homewood man has been charged in connection with a road rage incident in Chicago. Illinois State Police identified and arrested 33-year-old Cameron Jackson-Bey Sunday, less than 24 hours after he allegedly fired at the victim’s vehicle on I-94 in Chicago. Jackson-Bey is charged with felony aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Latest News Stories

Pacific region sees higher inflation than national average

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square Inflation in the Pacific region was higher than the national average in July due to larger annual gains, according to a report from Common Sense...

Frankfort Approves Over $19 Million in Surplus Fund Transfers for Future Projects

Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board has approved the transfer of more than $19 million in surplus operating revenues to its capital funds to finance future infrastructure projects, equipment purchases,...

Frankfort Advances Plans for New Multi-Use Paths to Boost Pedestrian Safety

Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved a $77,500 agreement with Robinson Engineering, Ltd. to design two new multi-use paths aimed at improving safety and connectivity in Main Park and...

Frankfort Police Department to Purchase New Portable Radios for $31,000

Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved the purchase of 14 new Kenwood portable radios for the police department at a cost not to exceed $31,000. The new equipment will...

Legislative committees advance CA redistricting legislation

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Legislators, taxpayers and others debated passionately Tuesday for several hours as Democratic-led election committees in the California Assembly and Senate advanced congressional redistricting legislation. The...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Frankfort Board for August 18, 2025

The Village of Frankfort Board leveraged a significant budget surplus at its August 18 meeting, approving the transfer of over $19 million into capital funds designated for future infrastructure, equipment,...

California schools protect students from ICE agents

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square California schools are providing resources for students if immigration officials visit their campus. As students get ready to go back to school, Southern California schools...

White House touts D.C. crackdown; no timeline on National Guard deployment

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a week after President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” in Washington, D.C., his administration is touting the operation as a success as more...

Security clearances of 37 former, current intel professionals revoked

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The security clearances of 37 former and current intelligence professionals have been revoked, citing abuse of intelligence information, the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard...

USDA reverses use of taxpayer dollars to fund solar panels on farmland

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Agriculture will no longer subsidize large-scale solar projects placed on farmland or use solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries in any...

Governor defends mental health mandate, rejects parental consent plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, who represents the 15th Congressional district in southeastern Illinois, is reintroducing legislation...

Major U.S. retailer reverses course on tariffs, says prices will go up

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A major U.S. retailer that previously said tariffs wouldn't increase prices reversed course on Tuesday, with officials saying they expect "modest" price increases for some...

Illinois quick hits: Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax Arlington Heights village trustees have approved a one-percent tax on groceries. Since Gov. J.B. Pritzker...

Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their...

Some Russia-Ukraine questions answered Tuesday, more remain

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The White House has helped open the channels of communication between Russia, Ukraine and the rest of Europe, but the details of any resolution to...

MOKENA LOCAL