Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Frank Calabrese and Ray Hanania on Politics podcast discuss court ruling on Samatha Steele’s alleged DUI Political consultants and writers Frank Calabrese and Ray Hanania discuss the shocking decision by a former judge this week to reject DUI charges against outgoing Board of Review 2nd District Commissioner Samantah Steele on the “Ray Hanania on Politics”…
Ryan Bill Aims to Expand Public Defender Assistance in Illinois Courts State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, is expanding legal assistance for Illinois drivers charged with driving under the influence (DUI) with a new measure that will allow public defenders to represent DUI clients in both criminal cases and civil hearings. “If a driver charged…
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Deputy District Director to United States Congressman Indicted for Fraudulently Obtaining Covid-Relief Benefits The Deputy District Director to an Illinois United States congressman has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $31,000 in unemployment insurance benefits during the Covid pandemic. Under the leadership of U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and…
Armed illegal alien who re-entered country arrested and charged second time Illegal Alien Who Possessed a Dangerous Weapon in Cook County Jail and Committed an Attempted Vehicular Hijacking Indicted for Allegedly Unlawfully Re-Entering United States after Deportation An illegal alien who resided in a Chicago suburb has been indicted on a federal immigration charge for…
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Hastings’ missing persons identification measure passes Senate State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work ─ passing legislation in the Senate that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases. “Law enforcement often starts, and sometimes stops, with criminal databases like CODIS for…
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Orland Hills Police update on shots fired Sunday, 167th 88th Ave Shots were reported very early Sunday morning, around 2 AM, near the area of 88th Avenue between 167th and 171st Street in Orland Hills. It was a targeted incident. No details are being released at this time on the subject. Orland Hills Police are…
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Hastings supports updating online harassment law In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment need updates to the law to reflect today’s use of technology. State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in the present day. “The world is…
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Illegal Alien Facing State Murder Charge Now Charged in Federal Court With Illegally Possessing Firearm in Chicago CHICAGO — An illegal alien unlawfully residing in the United States, who is charged in state court with murdering an 18-year-old Loyola University student, was charged today in federal court with illegally possessing a firearm in Chicago. JOSE…
Former Executive of Chicago-Area Non-Profits Sentenced to Federal Prison for $1.9 Million Fraud Schemes CHICAGO — A former executive of Chicago-area non-profit organizations has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for misappropriating nearly $1.9 million through a pair of fraud schemes. BARBARA HARRIS served as the Executive Director of the Center for Community…
Chinese Telecommunications Company Fined $50 Million for Conspiring to Steal Technology from Motorola Solutions CHICAGO — A federal judge in Chicago has fined a Chinese telecommunications company $50 million for criminally conspiring to steal proprietary technology from Illinois-based Motorola Solutions, Inc. Beginning in 2006, China-based Hytera Communications Corp. LTD recruited and hired Motorola employees and…
Bridgeview police rescue hostages early Sunday morning in domestic squabble Bridgeview, IL – The Bridgeview Police were assisted by SWAT Officers late Saturday night (March 7) in response to a report of an armed gunman in a domestic hostage situation and the “aggravated discharge” of a weapon. The report involved a domestic argument between the…
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Owner of Chicago-Area Convenience Stores Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Low-Income Food Program CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced the owner of several Chicago-area convenience stores to four years in prison for scheming to defraud a low-income food program for women and children. From 2010 to 2018, Hassan Abdellatif schemed…
Moderate Jewish Lobby J Street denounces Trump war on Iran J Street President Jeremy Ben Ami released the following statement from J Street, the moderate and powerful voice of peace and mutual recognition for the Jewish people in America, on the war started by President Donald Trump against Iran We are appalled by President Trump’s…
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Sean Casten Statement on US Military Action in Iran Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement on US military action in Iran: “Iran’s regime is repressive and destabilizing. Its proxies sow chaos across the region. No one disputes that Iran presents serious challenges. Its support for proxy militias, regional interference, and…
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Hastings builds on missing persons identification methods SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work by advancing legislation that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases. “Families dealing with a missing loved one should not have to wait for answers,”…
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Man Arrested for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse On January 28, 2026, the Orland Park Police Department arrested Brett Smith, 43, following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a juvenile and the advertising of private tutoring services on social media. Smith turned himself in at the Orland Park Police Department after detectives attempted to…
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Chicago Couple Among Nine Individuals Charged in Federal Drug Investigation A federal drug investigation has resulted in criminal charges against nine individuals for allegedly trafficking cocaine in the Chicago area. The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Chicago Police Department, utilized covert surveillance operations, undercover narcotics purchases, and wiretapped communications to…
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Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 48 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 48 years in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Tercalo E. Thomas enticed, persuaded, and used a prepubescent minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct, which…