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

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

February 12, 2026/

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.

Event Calendar

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Pritzker announces bond expansion, says progress has been made with Bears

Pritzker announces bond expansion, says progress has been made with Bears

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square Gov. J.B. Pritzker says progress has been made in conversations with the Chicago Bears. Pritzker announced the expansion of sales tax and revenue bonds for...
Illinois Quick Hits: Statewide bag tax proposed

Illinois Quick Hits: Statewide bag tax proposed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, has proposed legislation to impose a 10-cent fee on carryout bags...
Pacific Palisades continues to rebuild one year after fire

Pacific Palisades continues to rebuild one year after fire

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square When disasters happen, things take time to recover. Pacific Palisades is no exception, although a Los Angeles City Council member is pleased with the progress...
Report: U.S. added nearly $700 billion to national debt in four months

Report: U.S. added nearly $700 billion to national debt in four months

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. government added $696 billion to the national debt over the past four months, borrowing $94 billion in the month of January alone, the...

Lawmakers join Chicago Teachers Union to push for more school funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers have introduced legislation backed by the Chicago Teachers Union to immediately increase evidence-based funding and...
Illinois proposal makes businesses financially liable for climate change

Illinois proposal makes businesses financially liable for climate change

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal to create an Illinois Climate Change Superfund is drawing sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers...
Illinois unemployment rate tops national average; state ends 2025 with fewer jobs

Illinois unemployment rate tops national average; state ends 2025 with fewer jobs

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Chris Miller argues numbers tell the story as new U.S. Bureau of Labor...
Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa wants Illinois' counties

Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa wants Illinois’ counties

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Iowa state lawmaker has introduced legislation that would establish a committee to study the potential transfer...
lincoln land community college graphic Logo

Board Approves $440,000 Architect Fee Increase for Campus Master Plan

LLCC Board of Trustees Meeting | December 15, 2025 Article Summary: The LLCC Board of Trustees approved a modification to the agreement with Demonica Kemper Architects, increasing fees by $440,000....
Poll: Majority prefer Trump's immigration policies over Biden's

Poll: Majority prefer Trump’s immigration policies over Biden’s

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square A majority of Americans say they prefer President Donald Trump's approach to border security and immigration than they do former President Joe Biden's, according to...
Illinois eyes smarter park funding: handicap accessibility gets priority

Illinois eyes smarter park funding: handicap accessibility gets priority

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are proposing a change to the way state parks receive funding, one that could...
Nation's first primary states to begin early voting

Nation’s first primary states to begin early voting

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Early voting has begun or is about to begin in states with the earliest 2026 midterm election primaries. Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi...
Vermont EV buses prove unreliable for transportation this winter

Vermont EV buses prove unreliable for transportation this winter

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Electric buses are proving unreliable this winter for Vermont's Green Mountain Transit, as it needs to be over 41 degrees for the buses to charge,...
Idaho has least childcare regulations, Vermont the most out of the 50 states

Idaho has least childcare regulations, Vermont the most out of the 50 states

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Idaho ranks as the freest of the 50 states when it comes to childcare regulations, while Vermont is the least free, according to a new...
lincoln land community college graphic Logo.3

LLCC Board Approves 2025 Tax Levy; Tax Rate Expected to Decrease

LLCC Board of Trustees Meeting | December 15, 2025 Article Summary: The Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) Board of Trustees approved a 2025 tax levy totaling approximately $43.4 million during...