Illinois news in brief: Mayor Johnson skips funeral at request of slain officer's mother

[April 30, 2024]  By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square

Johnson skips funeral at mother's request

Mayor Brandon Johnson decided not to attend Monday’s funeral for fallen Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca. The announcement came after Huesca's mother requested Sunday night at her late son’s wake that Johnson not attend the service. Huesca, who would have turned 31 last week, was shot and killed as he was heading home from a shift in the early hours of April 21. Chicago police said he was wearing his uniform at the time of the shooting, which took place during an attempted carjacking.

Bird flu detected in dairy herds in 8 states

While no cases have been reported in Illinois, federal agencies confirmed the detection of bird flu in dairy herds in eight states across the U.S. The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Public Health are working closely to monitor the situation and are jointly coordinating prevention and response measures. This includes working with producer groups and partner organizations to promote education to veterinarians and cattle farmers on the clinical signs of H5N1 influenza so that potential infections can be quickly identified and contained.

Law firm seeks to withdraw from Henyard, Dolton defense

The law firm representing embattled Mayor Tiffany Henyard and the Village of Dolton in a number of lawsuits is asking to withdraw from those cases. The Del Galdo Law Group said in a letter that it is not being paid, so it will stop appearing in court to defend Dolton and the mayor in 22 lawsuits. The firm also added that the village is quickly approaching the point of becoming uninsurable.