Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

Gov. J.B. Pritkzer and several state legislators attended the ribbon cutting for the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council on Monday. The governor said the council was on the front lines of the battle when the community faced the onslaught of Operation Midway Blitz.

In addition to $3 million from the state, organizers said the BPNC received $2 million from the city of Chicago.

ISP ANNOUNCES CARJACKING AND THEFT PREVENTION RESULTS

State police say grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council led to 316 vehicle recoveries and 34 arrests during the first quarter of 2026.

After an initial $10 million grant, Illinois State Police were awarded another $677,000 in June 2024 and $637,500 in July 2025.

SPRINGFIELD BISHOP: “I STAND WITH POPE LEO”

Diocese of Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki says he was on a pilgrimage in Poland when he learned about President Donald Trump’s verbal attacks on Pope Leo XIV.

Paprocki said in a statement posted on social media that he is dismayed by the President’s rhetoric, and he stands with Pope Leo.

Paprocki said it is “blasphemous for President Trump to pretend he is Jesus in a now deleted Truth Social AI generated post.”