In a departure from standard prosecutorial practice, where cooperation discussions under limited immunity agreements are typically kept confidential, the Department of Justice has released transcripts and audio from a two-day interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s former partner and convicted accomplice. Conducted under a “queen for a day” proffer agreement, […]
Other News
Pritzker signs law expanding lawsuit protections for Illinois news media
by Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois August 22, 2025 Article Summary Article Summary The Citizen Participation Act now explicitly protects news reporting from “strategic lawsuits against public participation.” The Illinois Supreme Court had previously ruled that news reporting itself wasn’t covered if it was not investigative in nature or eliciting […]
Trump Demands Release of Tina Peters, Threatens “Harsh Measures” Amid Big Lie Fallout
Former President Donald Trump ratcheted up pressure on Colorado this week by renewing calls to free ex–Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who is serving a nine-year sentence for her role in a 2021 election–system breach. In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump wrote, “FREE TINA PETERS, a brave and […]
Duncan Road Bridge Over I-74 in Champaign to Close for Repairs Starting Monday
Drivers in Champaign should prepare for detours beginning next week as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) closes the Duncan Road bridge over Interstate 74 for emergency repairs. The closure, set to begin Monday, is expected to last about three weeks. The work is necessary to repair damage to the […]
USCIS Announces New “Anti-Americanism” Screening for Immigration Benefits
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will now consider evidence of “anti-American” ideologies and activities as an “overwhelmingly negative factor” when reviewing immigration benefit applications. The updated guidance, effective immediately and applicable to all pending and future benefit requests, directs USCIS officers to consider whether applicants have […]
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Denying Diversity Visas Based on Travel Ban
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ruled that the State Department cannot use the president’s travel ban to deny visa applications to diversity lottery winners. U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan issued a preliminary injunction on August 21, in the case Aye Aye Thein v. Trump, granting partial relief to over 100 […]
Federal Judge Orders Partial Shutdown of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Immigration Detention Facility in Florida Everglades
A federal judge in Miami has ordered the partial shutdown of the controversial immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams issued an 82-page ruling late Thursday evening, granting a preliminary injunction that prohibits Florida and federal officials from bringing any new detainees to the […]
Abrego Garcia Faces Deportation to Uganda After Rejecting Plea Deal
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the El Salvadoran construction worker wrongfully deported to a notorious prison earlier this year, now faces deportation to Uganda after declining a government plea deal that would have sent him to Costa Rica instead. According to court documents filed Saturday in federal court in Tennessee, the government’s […]
Mahomet-Seymour board approves softball dugout project
The Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District No. 3 Board of Education approved a $172,550 project to replace deteriorating softball dugouts. At their August 18 meeting, board members reviewed superintendent Dr. Kenny Lee’s recommendation to approve the low bid submitted by Barber & DeAtley, Inc. for $172,550 to construct new softball […]
Insurance industry opposes regulation, blames inflation, climate change for rate hikes
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois August 21, 2025 Article Summary JB Pritzker and legislative leaders have suggested Illinois should exercise more regulatory authority over premiums that insurance companies charge for homeowners coverage. That began after State Farm Insurance announced it was raising rates in Illinois by an average 27.2%. […]