Illinois Quick Hits: CTA passenger set on fire in November leaves hospital

Illinois Quick Hits: CTA passenger set on fire in November leaves hospital

February 6, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Chicago Transit Authority train passenger says she has been released from the hospital more than two months after a man with a long criminal history allegedly set her on fire. B

ethany MaGee was hospitalized on Nov. 17. MaGee issued a statement thanking the burn unit at Stroger Hospital for their care and support.

As of Friday afternoon, a GoFundMe effort to support MaGee’s recovery has raised more than $512,000.

ALLEGED HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER ARRESTED

Illinois State Police special agents have arrested a Beach Park man in connection with a hit-and-run collision involving a pedestrian.

After reports of multiple crashes on I-94 in Skokie on Feb. 1, ISP says a person who exited a vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by Damian Lopez, 30. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries.

Lopez allegedly fled the scene and was arrested the next day.

NFIB JANUARY JOBS REPORT

The National Federation of Independent Business Employment Index dropped nearly 1 point in January to 101.6.

The index remained above the historical average of 100 and slightly above the 2025 average of 101.2. Thirty-one percent of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in January.

NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said workforce challenges remain a primary hurdle for small businesses.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Supreme Court upholds preacher's First Amendment lawsuit

Supreme Court upholds preacher’s First Amendment lawsuit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, upheld that a street preacher can sue over a city ordinance that prevented him from exercising free...
United, American clash at O’Hare as growth strains capacity

United, American clash at O’Hare as growth strains capacity

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to scale back flights at O'Hare International Airport this summer as two major carriers rapidly expand service, raising concerns...
Photo courtesy of Litchfield Fire Department

Litchfield Bowling Alley Destroyed in Massive Second-Alarm Blaze; Mutual Aid Prevents Spread During High Winds

Article Summary: A Sunday afternoon fire completely destroyed the Litchfield Bowling Alley on March 15, requiring a massive second-alarm response from over a dozen agencies to prevent the flames from...
Litchfield Panthers Soccer Graphic

Chloe Law’s Hat Trick, Three Assists Power Litchfield Soccer to 7-0 Rout of Jersey

Senior standout Chloe Law delivered a masterclass performance on Wednesday, registering a hat trick and three assists to propel the Litchfield varsity soccer team to a dominant 7-0 non-conference victory...
Litchfield Panthers Softball Graphic

Litchfield Uses Three-Run Fifth Inning to Defeat Greenfield/Northwestern, 5-2

A pivotal three-run surge in the fifth inning proved to be the difference on Thursday as the Litchfield softball team secured a hard-fought 5-2 non-conference victory over Greenfield/Northwestern. Charlie Bono...
Litchfield Panthers Baseball Graphic

Witt’s Perfect Day at the Plate, Strong Pitching Lift Litchfield Past Southwestern 8-2

The Litchfield varsity baseball team combined opportunistic hitting with steady pitching to secure an 8-2 non-conference victory over visiting Southwestern on Thursday afternoon. Litchfield established control early, methodically building a...
Google Gemini face scans violate IL biometrics law: Class action

Google Gemini face scans violate IL biometrics law: Class action

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Google has been hit, again, by a class action lawsuit under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law, this time accusing the tech giant...
House members raise concerns about Islamic terrorist threats 25 years after 9/11

House members raise concerns about Islamic terrorist threats 25 years after 9/11

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Several members of Congress raised concerns about Islamic terrorist threats now that the U.S. is approaching the 25-year anniversary of 9/11. At a U.S. House...
Officials react swiftly to allegations about Cesar Chavez

Officials react swiftly to allegations about Cesar Chavez

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Political and civil leaders across California and the wider Latino community in the U.S. are reacting to several allegations of sexual abuse and rape by...
Lack of Homeland Security funding hits maritime workers

Lack of Homeland Security funding hits maritime workers

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Employees of the Transportation Security Administration are not the only ones working without a paycheck during the partial government shutdown. The same goes for Vessel...
Arizona legislators promote new gun rights and safety bills

Arizona legislators promote new gun rights and safety bills

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Women supporting gun rights and safety - self-described “warrior women” - spoke in favor of three new Arizona bills Thursday morning during a news conference...
Change in anti-drug policy consideration after bombing Venezuelan boats

Change in anti-drug policy consideration after bombing Venezuelan boats

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square U.S. officials are signaling a more aggressive approach to drug trafficking, with emphasis on expanding authority, overseas operations, and targeting criminal networks at their source....
Pritzker highlights film growth while studies question tax credit’s value

Pritzker highlights film growth while studies question tax credit’s value

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker visited a major film studio Thursday in Chicago to discuss the growth of...
Illinois quick hits: House passes measure to restrict insurance price increases

Illinois quick hits: House passes measure to restrict insurance price increases

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square House passes measure to restrict insurance price increases The Illinois House approved a bill to regulate price increases of home and...
Female prison workers can sue IDOC over inmate obscene acts

Female prison workers can sue IDOC over inmate obscene acts

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge will let female Pontiac Correctional Center workers proceed with their class action accusing the state and Illinois Department of...