Illinois Quick Hits: FEMA says no to Illinois disaster declaration

Illinois Quick Hits: FEMA says no to Illinois disaster declaration

February 10, 2026/

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied the state of Illinois’ appeal for a major disaster declaration following severe storms and flooding that affected Boone, Cook, Kane, McHenry and Will counties in August.

In a letter dated Feb. 7, FEMA reaffirmed its initial decision that supplemental federal assistance was not warranted.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the agency’s decision was politically motivated.

ROAD RAGE SHOOTING SUSPECT ARRESTED

Illinois State Police say they arrested a Chicago man for an alleged road rage shooting on Interstate 55. According to an ISP statement, Daniel Zaragoza, 22, fired at a vehicle on I-55 near Damen Avenue in Chicago last Friday morning.

The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Zaragoza was charged with felony aggravated battery with a firearm.

ROUTE 66 FUNDING

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is awarding nearly $4 million in grants to local tourism bureaus for Route 66 activities throughout Illinois.

The taxpayer-funded award comes as state officials and tourism partners celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the highway’s creation. DCEO’s Illinois Office of Tourism has invested $19 million in Route 66 projects since 2021.

Event Calendar

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: IL Democrats take part in Jan. 6 hearing as Trump pushes voter ID

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – On the anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. capitol, leading Democrats and the president...
House Dems, Trump offer competing visions of Jan. 6

House Dems, Trump offer competing visions of Jan. 6

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrat lawmakers and the Trump administration have offered competing visions on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. The lawmakers...
Illinois quick hits: Criminal justice grants announced; unemployment rate unchanged

Illinois quick hits: Criminal justice grants announced; unemployment rate unchanged

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Criminal justice grants announced The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has announced $50 million in taxpayer-funded grants for historically underserved communities....
State Rep: Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement

State Rep: Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Statehouse Republican says the cost of illegal immigration in Illinois is much more than a...
House committee to hold hearing Wednesday on Minnesota fraud

House committee to hold hearing Wednesday on Minnesota fraud

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is set to hold its first of two scheduled hearings Wednesday on the “fraud and misuse...
Court blocks Trump admin’s medical research funding cuts

Court blocks Trump admin’s medical research funding cuts

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s decision barring the Trump administration from cutting funding for medical and...
Trump takes aim at defense contractors as he looks to speed arms production

Trump takes aim at defense contractors as he looks to speed arms production

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump criticized U.S. defense contractors on Tuesday, saying that he wants to produce the advanced weapons that the U.S. relies on for military...

WATCH: Candidate Dabrowski wants audit as IL Child Care Services funding skyrockets

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski is calling for a forensic audit of state spending on human...
Hegseth seeks to reduce Sen. Kelly's Navy retirement pay

Hegseth seeks to reduce Sen. Kelly’s Navy retirement pay

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include a comment from the White House. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth plans...
Special election for Greene's seat set for March 10

Special election for Greene’s seat set for March 10

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's congressional seat will be empty at least two months, likely three, as a special election already drawing 24 candidates...
Trump lays out 'roadmap for victory' during GOP House retreat

Trump lays out ‘roadmap for victory’ during GOP House retreat

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the country is about to embark on a pivotal election year, President Donald Trump addressed the GOP U.S. House of Representatives retreat. During a...
WATCH: Trump ‘not gonna pay’ child care fraud; Immigration enforcement costs; Moving out

WATCH: Trump ‘not gonna pay’ child care fraud; Immigration enforcement costs; Moving out

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest...
Duckworth pushes military IVF coverage as critics warn taxpayers could pay

Duckworth pushes military IVF coverage as critics warn taxpayers could pay

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, criticizes the House speaker and the president after a provision...
Illinois quick hits: Increased flu activity reported

Illinois quick hits: Increased flu activity reported

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Increased flu activity reported The Illinois Department of Public Health says flu activity is very high in the state, the most...
Chicago car impounds not unconstitutional ‘taking’: Court

Chicago car impounds not unconstitutional ‘taking’: Court

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal appeals panel says Chicago’s policy of towing and disposing of vehicles doesn’t reach the level of unconstitutional taking without compensation,...