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

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

February 12, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Honduran citizen residing in Waukegan has been indicted for allegedly bringing illegal aliens into the United States for private financial gain.

Federal prosecutors say Fredy Hernandez, 46, brought four foreign nationals from Honduras into the United States in 2022 and 2023, forced them to work, and made them believe they would suffer serious harm if they failed to comply.

SECRETARY OF STATE MANDATES ELECTRONIC LIEN AND TITLE PROCESSING

Financial institutions that process five or more liens annually will be required to transition to electronic lien and titling by July 1.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said that under ELT, lien and title records are transmitted directly to his office and maintained electronically until the lien is satisfied.

The secretary said banks, credit unions and dealers can instantly release the title when a loan is paid off, reducing costs and saving time.

ZIMMERMAN, MATCHBOX TIX ON SALE FRIDAY

Tickets go on sale Friday for two acts scheduled to perform at the Illinois State Fair.

Country performer and Illinois native Bailey Zimmerman is slated to play at the fair on Ag Day, Aug. 14. Matchbox Twenty is scheduled to perform Aug. 16.

Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, starting at 10 a.m.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Groups file brief in support of ending post-Election Day ballot counting

Groups file brief in support of ending post-Election Day ballot counting

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Four election integrity groups filed an amicus brief in support of a case that requests the U.S. Supreme Court not allow state laws that permit...
Business groups seek quick tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling

Business groups seek quick tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. businesses that paid billions in tariffs to the federal government want their money back. After the U.S. Supreme Court found President Donald Trump...
Screenshot 2026-02-18 at 2.33.24 PM

Board Approves Redesigned Educator Evaluation System Moving to March Timeline

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board approved a redesigned educator evaluation system that streamlines performance components and shifts the evaluation timeline...
Bill would add restrictions to importing guns to California

Bill would add restrictions to importing guns to California

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Those bringing guns into California would have to jump through more hoops if the Legislature passes a new bill. Senate Bill 948, introduced by state...
WATCH: Newsom, others praise $239M learning center at San Quentin

WATCH: Newsom, others praise $239M learning center at San Quentin

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Gov. Gavin Newsom and others, including a survivor of a crime, gathered Friday morning at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center to praise the opening of...

WATCH: WA lawmaker, trade and business groups react to SCOTUS tariff ruling

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A Washington lawmaker, trade and business group are reacting to Friday’s ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court against President Trump’s tariffs. In an historic 6-3...
California officials applaud ruling against Trump tariffs

California officials applaud ruling against Trump tariffs

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its original publication to include additional comments. In the hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down...
Southwestern congressional members applaud tariffs ruling

Southwestern congressional members applaud tariffs ruling

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Members of Congress from the Southwest on Friday voiced bipartisan support for the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling against President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The justices...
AGs urge removal of climate science section from National Academies’ manual

AGs urge removal of climate science section from National Academies’ manual

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Following the victory of removing a climate chapter from the Federal Judicial Center’s manual, 21 state attorney generals are urging the National Academy of Sciences...
Judge confident in case against Illinois Supreme Court justices

Judge confident in case against Illinois Supreme Court justices

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A retired Cook County judge says he has great confidence in his case against justices of the...
Trump plans to replace tariffs, salvage trade deals after ruling

Trump plans to replace tariffs, salvage trade deals after ruling

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump switched to his backup tariff plan after the U.S. Supreme Court said he couldn't use a 1977 law to impose sweeping tariffs....
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker wants tariffs refund after court ruling

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker wants tariffs refund after court ruling

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump owes the families of Illinois and the United States about...
Virginia Democrats appeal ruling, legislatively pass 10-1 congressional map

Virginia Democrats appeal ruling, legislatively pass 10-1 congressional map

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Democrats in Virginia need an appeal to their favor within two weeks to keep alive hopes of redrawing congressional districts that could potentially give them...
Trump announces new tariffs with 'certainty' after Supreme Court ruling

Trump announces new tariffs with ‘certainty’ after Supreme Court ruling

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs on Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated most of the tariffs underpinning his economic agenda....
Municipal League: Housing reform could strip authority from local communities

Municipal League: Housing reform could strip authority from local communities

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Municipal League says a new proposal for housing reform could allow the state to take...