Illinois Quick Hits: CTA passenger set on fire in November leaves hospital

Illinois Quick Hits: CTA passenger set on fire in November leaves hospital

February 6, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Chicago Transit Authority train passenger says she has been released from the hospital more than two months after a man with a long criminal history allegedly set her on fire. B

ethany MaGee was hospitalized on Nov. 17. MaGee issued a statement thanking the burn unit at Stroger Hospital for their care and support.

As of Friday afternoon, a GoFundMe effort to support MaGee’s recovery has raised more than $512,000.

ALLEGED HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER ARRESTED

Illinois State Police special agents have arrested a Beach Park man in connection with a hit-and-run collision involving a pedestrian.

After reports of multiple crashes on I-94 in Skokie on Feb. 1, ISP says a person who exited a vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by Damian Lopez, 30. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries.

Lopez allegedly fled the scene and was arrested the next day.

NFIB JANUARY JOBS REPORT

The National Federation of Independent Business Employment Index dropped nearly 1 point in January to 101.6.

The index remained above the historical average of 100 and slightly above the 2025 average of 101.2. Thirty-one percent of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in January.

NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said workforce challenges remain a primary hurdle for small businesses.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team's Indiana statement

Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team’s Indiana statement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the Chicago Bears say the team’s board of directors moved to advance plans for a stadium...
More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review

More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota's high-risk Medicaid providers have had taxpayer funding paused following a federally-mandated review process that state officials say was necessary to protect...
Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House

Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans finally passed their roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill after an 18-hour vote-a-rama that ended early Friday morning. The 52-47 final...
Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears are moving forward with plans to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana. Bears Chairman...
Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms

Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Public Policy Solutions sent a letter Friday to United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr commending both men...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker pauses data center tax credits Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to pause...
U.S. adds 172k jobs in 'strong' May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

U.S. adds 172k jobs in ‘strong’ May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May's better-than-expected report while the unemployment rate remained at 4.3%, according to data released Friday by the U.S....
Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United States has about 20 years to change course on its national debt before it reaches the estimated limits of its debt capacity, according...
Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Democrat-backed bill on Wednesday that would have allowed citizens to sue immigration enforcement officers for civil rights violations. The...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...

WATCH: WA mayor stands by pro-ICE, anti-Antifa proclamations

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The city of Battle Ground has been getting more attention this week than the small southwest Washington community typically receives, due to national coverage of...
U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Less than four months before fiscal year 2027 begins, the U.S. House passed the second of the 12 annual appropriations bills that will fund the...
Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge says he believes a Cook County judge has leveled serious accusations against the Illinois Supreme Court for trampling his...
Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers passed a bill last weekend that will heavily restrict where immigration detention centers can operate in...
Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional

Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois government officials have proposed amending the way the state taxes alcohol, but the changes may not...