CHICAGO, Illinois, June 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release on June 7, 2024: A suburban Chicago man has been charged in federal court with stealing more than $9.5 million in goods, including liquor and commercial-grade copper, from interstate shipments. According to an indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, AIVARAS ZIGMANTAS used various aliases to falsely pose as a representative of real and fic  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release on June 7, 2024: Two men have been indicted on federal racketeering charges for allegedly murdering a teenager to maintain and increase their positions in a violent Chicago street gang. GARY ROBERSON, 40, and JOSEPH MATOS, 41, both of Chicago, are charged with racketeering and firearm offenses in an indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.   more

ARGONNE, Illinois, June 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory issued the following news release on June 7, 2024: * * * The event featured panel discussions and workshops designed to accelerate deployment of community-based investments in sustainable energy * * * Over 80 community leaders, researchers and representatives from industry and civic agencies recently convened on Chicago's South Side to discuss opportunities for partnership in pursuit of a clean   more

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, June 8 -- The U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division issued the following news release: A man accused of being a broker for Mexican drug cartels and 28 others have been indicted on drug and money laundering conspiracy charges in St. Louis. Genaro Rosas-Vargas, 39, also known by other names including "Chilango," and the 28 others were indicted by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on May 24 on one count of conspiracy to dist  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 8 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release on June 7, 2024: Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a suburban Cook County man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison for laundering millions of dollars. Michael A. Venegas, 24, of Hanover Park, Illinois, pleaded guilty today to one count of money laundering, a Class 1 felony. Kane County Circuit Court Judge D.J. Tegeler sentenced Venegas to six years in prison. "Money laundering  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, June 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Under a measure championed by State Senator Omar Aquino, working parents in Illinois will be able to claim a state-level child tax credit on their income taxes starting next year. "Parents shouldn't have to struggle to provide basic necessities to their children," said Aquino (D-Chicago). "The child tax credit will help families put money toward things that are becoming even less affordable - like groceri  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 8 -- The Illinois Senate Republicans issued the following news: A controversial new law that would drastically change the state's election laws and reduce competition at the ballot box was ruled unconstitutional by a Sangamon County judge on June 5. Senate Bill 2412, which signed into law by Governor Pritzker in May, would make significant changes to the rules for an election process that is already well underway. Most notably, it would have ended the slating process c  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 8 -- The Illinois Senate Republicans issued the following news: Governor J.B. Pritzker's government spending plan, which relies on $1 billion in tax increases, officially became the largest budget in state history when he signed it into law on June 5. Despite bipartisan opposition, the controversial budget sets a new high-water mark for government spending, surpassing $53 billion. This eye-popping total represents a surge of almost $13 billion, or 32% since Pritzker too  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 8 -- The Illinois Senate Republicans issued the following news: The Governor's Hometown Awards (GHTA) program is now accepting applications for projects that made a meaningful impact on local quality of life from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. The program honors those who've gone above and beyond to enhance their communities. Townships, villages, cities, and counties with projects sponsored by a local government unit and supported by dedicated volunteers ar  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 8 -- The Illinois Senate Republicans issued the following news: Senate Republican lawmakers say the State Treasurer's Office is politicizing the management of nearly $60 billion in state investments. Senate Republicans said it's the Treasurer's duty to protect the state's investment portfolio and implement savings programs to help Illinois residents create a better future for themselves and their families. However, questions have been raised about the Treasurer putting   more

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 8 -- The Illinois Senate Republicans issued the following news: Legislation to amend the Emergency Telephone System Act to explicitly include sheriffs as eligible members on local 9-1-1 boards recently passed the General Assembly. The hope is to recognize the role sheriffs play in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities. House Bill 5128 addresses a longstanding issue by formally allowing sheriffs to serve on local 9-1-1 boards. These boards are deeply invo  more

WASHINGTON, June 8 -- The U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol issued the following news: Cadet teams from the Indiana Wing took all three top spots in the Great Lakes Region Cadet Competition, with the Valparaiso Composite Squadron placing first, the Anderson Composite Squadron second, and the Eagle Composite Squadron third. Teams from the Illinois (Lewis Composite Squadron), Kentucky (Louisville Composite Squadron), and Michigan (Maj. Kevin A Adams Composite Squadron and Grand Rapids Me  more

WASHINGTON, June 8 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs issued the following news release on June 7, 2024: Last week, the Office of Justice Programs marked its new mission statement with events and products that highlight OJP's work to support community-centered public safety strategies. Square One Convening, "Creating Community-Led Safety: What Does It Take?" Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon delivered keynote remarks at "Creating Community-Led Safety: What   more

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, June 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri issued the following news release: A man accused of being a broker for Mexican drug cartels and 28 others have been indicted on drug and money laundering conspiracy charges in St. Louis. Genaro Rosas-Vargas, 39, also known by other names including "Chilango," and the 28 others were indicted by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on May 24 on one count of conspiracy to distribute and  more

AUSTIN, Texas, June 8 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on June 7, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) today announced the inaugural members of the Healthcare Workforce Task Force. The task force will address healthcare workforce shortages in Texas to meet the demands of our growing state and provide students with the skills they need to succeed. "Health professionals across Texas work tirelessly to meet the needs o  more

SCOTT AFB, Illinois, June 8 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Transportation Command issued the following news release: At the 2024 International Logistics Symposium, Commander of U.S. Transportation Command Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost highlighted the crucial role of strong alliances, emphasizing that a robust network of global partnerships is essential for success. "Your commitment to strengthening relations is key to our combined success," the general said. "Our global alliance and  more