Illinois quick hits: Chicago man faces charges in road-rage shooting; migrant accused of murdering church volunteer; Illinois Liquor Control Commission launches new system

February 24, 2026/

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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Chicago man faces charges in road-rage shooting

A Chicago man is facing aggravated firearm charges after an alleged road-rage shooting on the Kennedy Expressway. Police say Rene Garica, 52, fired a weapon at another vehicle and struck a 14-year-old passenger on I-90 near Ogden Avenue last Wednesday. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Migrant accused of murdering church volunteer

A Venezuelan migrant is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing of a church volunteer who repeatedly tried to help him as he struggled with homelessness. CWB Chicago reports that Carlos Ochoa-Ynaga, 49, fled to California after he allegedly killed Juan Quiroz, 34, last September. Ochoa-Ynaga was brought back to Chicago this month to face charges.

Illinois Liquor Control Commission launches new system

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission says licensees may notice adjustments to workflows and processing timelines during the first 90 days of the agency’s new licensing and compliance portal. The ILCC recently launched its new system for license application, renewal and compliance. Training resources, guidance materials, and technical support information are available at ilcc.illinois.gov.

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