Illinois Quick Hits: Feds say Ammons charges shouldn’t be dismissed
(The Center Square) – In response to a motion filed by the lawyers of state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, calling for the dismissal of her charges related to an alleged kickback scheme siphoning taxpayer funds directed to nonprofits in her district employing her daughter, alongside improper use of campaign funds, government lawyers say the charges should stand.
In their 29-page response, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois argued lawyers misinterpreted her charges and made an argument that doesn’t disprove portions of what they say was still illegal conduct.
In plain language, their response began by saying the motion to dismiss “the charges that she wished she faced, rather than the charges contained in the indictment.”
Sean Reed contributed to this story
Cook County expands ‘shop talk’ mental health programming
Cook County officials have announced a $475,000 investment of taxpayer funds to expand community-based mental health programming for people from age 12 to 24 in four suburban Cook County communities.
A statement from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s office said municipal governments in Bellwood, Maywood, Park Forest and Calumet City will each receive $118,750 to implement the 12-month Cook County Shop Talk project.
The initiative is funded through a budget amendment sponsored by Commissioner Tara Stamps. During a speech last month to introduce her $9.69 billion budget proposal, Preckwinkle twice hinted at future tax increases.
CAIR Chicago applauds La Salle County reversal on Sharia Law
The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations welcomed a decision by the La Salle County board to rescind a resolution passed last month that denounced Sharia law.
Following the board’s 16-12 vote on Monday, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab commended the board’s reversal and recognition that measures targeting faith communities are not only divisive and discriminatory, but also unconstitutional.
At the state level, as reported by The Center Square, state Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, introduced House Bill 4165 in October 2025, seeking to prohibit Illinois courts and other legal bodies from enforcing foreign laws or legal provisions that violate rights guaranteed under the U.S. or Illinois constitutions.
Northwestern event canceled over pro-Israel group’s inclusion
Northwestern’s Spoon University chapter canceled its Cultural Food Fest due to backlash over the inclusion of a student-led organization dedicated to educating the Northwestern community about Israel.
The Daily Northwestern reported on Friday that the decision came after the Asian Pacific American Coalition, Alianza and the Middle Eastern North African Student Association withdrew from the event, citing Wildcats for Israel’s participation.
In May 2024, then-NU President Michael Schill told a U.S. House committee that Northwestern, “like many universities, has an antisemitism problem.”
Last month, the Coalition Against Antisemitism at Northwestern University called for investigation after a fire alarm disrupted the performance of “OCTOBER 7” on the school’s Evanston campus.
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