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

Lawmaker says Illinois behind 44 states in legislative transparency

Lawmaker says Illinois behind 44 states in legislative transparency

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Minority Leader Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, is renewing her bid to increase transparency in...
Transportation officials say a loophole closed on CDL drivers

Transportation officials say a loophole closed on CDL drivers

By Alan WootenThe Center Square CDL drivers causing 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths in 2025 are no longer eligible to get a nondomiciled commercial driver’s license, according to a...
Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges

Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Honduran citizen residing in Waukegan has been indicted for allegedly bringing illegal aliens into the United...
Immigration enforcement surge to end in Minnesota, Homan says

Immigration enforcement surge to end in Minnesota, Homan says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square White House Border Czar Tom Homan said on Thursday the monthslong immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota will end in the next week. On Dec. 4,...
Litchfield Logo Graphic.3

City Approves Emergency Fire Engine Repairs and Temporary Rental

Litchfield City Council Meeting | February 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council authorized emergency spending to repair a fire department squad truck suffering from a blown head gasket...
Trump holding out hope deal can be reached with Iran

Trump holding out hope deal can be reached with Iran

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump is urging diplomacy with Iran following a meeting Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The allies met for a seventh time...
First lady charms young patients during NIH visit

First lady charms young patients during NIH visit

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Returning for her fourth visit to the National Institute for Health’s Children’s Inn, First Lady Melania Trump met with a group of patients and former...
Bondi questioned about DOJ policies at House hearing

Bondi questioned about DOJ policies at House hearing

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Members of the U.S. House Judiciary questioned U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday on the Department of Justice's mission and programming. Under Bondi’s leadership,...
WATCH: Newsom signs $90M bill to fund Planned Parenthood

WATCH: Newsom signs $90M bill to fund Planned Parenthood

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed a budget bill into law that would allocate $90 million to Planned Parenthood, a reproductive health care provider....
U.S. House passes national voter ID bill, sends to Senate

U.S. House passes national voter ID bill, sends to Senate

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House passed legislation Wednesday night that would implement comprehensive election security reforms nationwide, sending it over to the Senate for approval. The SAVE...
Illinois GOP state reps call on Dems to stop taxing s’mores, other goods

Illinois GOP state reps call on Dems to stop taxing s’mores, other goods

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans are calling on Democrats to oppose new tax proposals. State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Tangent to expand in Montgomery

Illinois Quick Hits: Tangent to expand in Montgomery

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced on Wednesday that a...
Retail advocate: Swipe fees ruling is largest Main St. 'relief package' in Illinois

Retail advocate: Swipe fees ruling is largest Main St. ‘relief package’ in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A retail business advocate says a federal judge’s ruling to uphold the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act paves...
Smith & Wesson wins appeal chance in Highland Park lawsuits

Smith & Wesson wins appeal chance in Highland Park lawsuits

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Gunmaker Smith & Wesson will get a chance to appeal a Lake County judge's decision clearing the way for the families of...
Illinois Republicans say federal student data probe may reach Illinois State after Tufts review

Illinois Republicans say federal student data probe may reach Illinois State after Tufts review

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The McLean County Republican Party says a newly announced federal investigation into Tufts University could have...