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/

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.

Event Calendar

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Cornyn files Defeat Sharia Law in America Act, another Texas-led effort

Cornyn files Defeat Sharia Law in America Act, another Texas-led effort

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has filed a bill to ban Sharia law in the U.S., another act in a Texas-led effort addressing Islamic ideology....
WATCH: Attorney cites positive impact of corruption trials 1 year after Madigan conviction

WATCH: Attorney cites positive impact of corruption trials 1 year after Madigan conviction

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One year after a federal jury convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of bribery, conspiracy, wire...
Illinois Quick Hits: $10M scheme alleged in heath care fraud case

Illinois Quick Hits: $10M scheme alleged in heath care fraud case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two Pakistani nationals have been charged in Chicago with participating in a $10-million scheme to fraudulently bill...

WATCH: Trump terminates Obama-era climate change policy

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration on Thursday terminated the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Endangerment Finding,” a landmark policy that led to sweeping climate change regulations and higher costs...
Democrats tank DHS bill again, likely triggering partial govt shutdown

Democrats tank DHS bill again, likely triggering partial govt shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democrats in the U.S. Senate tanked the Homeland Security full-year funding bill in a last-ditch vote Thursday, all but guaranteeing a partial government shutdown starting...
GOP governor candidate Heidner wants Illinois to ‘make,’ not ‘take’

GOP governor candidate Heidner wants Illinois to ‘make,’ not ‘take’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One of the four Republicans vying for the party’s nomination to take on Gov. J.B. Pritzker says...

WATCH: WA to distribute its store of abortion pills to clinics, possibly nationwide

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Washington Senators have passed a bill that would allow the state to distribute millions of abortion pills, it purchased after the U.S. Supreme Court decision...
Texas now leading in border security in the Arctic

Texas now leading in border security in the Arctic

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas is again leading on border security, this time in the Arctic. New icebreakers are being built for the U.S. Coast Guard in Galveston and...
Federal debt expected to climb, but how much debt can U.S. carry?

Federal debt expected to climb, but how much debt can U.S. carry?

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The latest projections show U.S. debt will continue to grow over the next decade, hitting 120% of gross domestic product by 2036, raising questions about...
Op-Ed: If Illinois wants clean energy, it needs data centers

Op-Ed: If Illinois wants clean energy, it needs data centers

By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square If Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to reach his environmental and economic goals, data centers will need to be central to...
Bill lets Arizonans vote on right to refuse medical mandates

Bill lets Arizonans vote on right to refuse medical mandates

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A new bill proposes giving Arizonans the chance to vote on whether the right of refusal in medical situations should be guaranteed in the state...
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate

Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R–Freeport, is pushing legislation that would classify transgenderism as a mental illness...
Dems cheer end to Minnesota immigration operation; GOP calls it success

Dems cheer end to Minnesota immigration operation; GOP calls it success

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Democrats are applauding White House border czar Tom Homan’s Thursday announcement that immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota will end next week. The announcement comes more...
GOP leader seeks federal probe into Michigan grants, Dearborn nonprofits

GOP leader seeks federal probe into Michigan grants, Dearborn nonprofits

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to review grant oversight and administration involving several Michigan state agencies...
Arizona committee advances Charlie Kirk plaza bill

Arizona committee advances Charlie Kirk plaza bill

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The Arizona state Senate Government Committee advanced a bill to rename a Phoenix plaza in honor of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. The committee members voted...