Author: Dani Tietz

Federal

Former Military Leaders Warn Supreme Court Against Trump’s National Guard Deployments in Amicus Brief

In an amicus brief filed October 20, nine former high-ranking military officials—including former Army and Navy secretaries and retired four-star admirals and generals—urged the Supreme Court to uphold lower court rulings blocking the deployment of federalized National Guard troops to Illinois.  The brief centers on Trump’s October 2025 order federalizing […]

Federal

DHS Purchases $172 Million Private Jets for Noem During Government Shutdown, Drawing Congressional Fire

The Department of Homeland Security has contracted to purchase two luxury Gulfstream G700 private jets for $172 million, primarily for use by Secretary Kristi Noem and other senior officials. The U.S. Coast Guard finalized the sole-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation on October 15, 2025, for two G700 jets—aircraft that […]

State of Illinois

SNAP Benefits for 1.9 Million Illinois Residents Threatened by Prolonged Government Shutdown

Nearly two million Illinois residents face losing access to critical food assistance next month if the ongoing federal government shutdown is not resolved, according to a recent alert issued by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The agencies warned that November Supplemental […]

Local

Middle Fork’s Hoot ‘N Howl Promises Family Halloween Fun on October 25

Families are invited to celebrate the spooky season at Hoot ‘N Howl 2025, a free, family-friendly Halloween event taking place Oct. 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Harry L. Swartz Campground in the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve. Guests of all ages can enjoy classic fall fun, including hayrack rides around the campground and hands-on activities running from 3 […]

Federal

Trump Commutes George Santos Sentence

On Friday, President Donald Trump commuted the seven-year federal prison sentence of disgraced former New York Congressman George Santos, ordering his immediate release after serving less than three months behind bars. Santos, 37, was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, shortly before 11 p.m. Friday evening […]