Illinois

Illinois man charged 6 years after first arrest in pimping of 15-year-old girl: LCSO

Published

8 months ago

March 25, 2025

Illinois man charged 6 years after first arrest in pimping of 15-year-old girl: LCSO

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. – An Illinois man has been charged in connection with a human trafficking investigation that resulted in the arrest of a Round Lake Beach woman in 2019.

“There is nothing more revolting than taking the innocence away from a juvenile and promoting a child for prostitution,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said at the time.

The backstory:

On July 12, 2019, Sheila Johnston – who was 33 years old at the time – was arrested for allegedly pimping a 15-year-old girl whom she had legal guardianship of.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Johnston posted an online advertisement attempting to sell the girl for sex. Undercover detectives saw the post and began communicating with Johnston, who allegedly agreed to offer both the girl and herself for sex.

Sheila Johnston | Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Johnston then reportedly took the girl to a hotel in Waukegan, where she met an undercover detective posing as a customer. Johnson was taken into custody, and the girl was turned over to child welfare workers with the state’s Department of Children and Family Services.

Now, six years later, 51-year-old Jose Puga was arrested in connection with the case.

Authorities said as the investigation progressed, new evidence and witnesses came to light, providing detectives with “sufficient proof” to link Puga, of Wonder Lake, to the crimes perpetrated against the 15-year-old girl.

An arrest warrant was issued for Puga and on Tuesday, he turned himself in at the Lake County Jail. A detention hearing was set for Tuesday.

He’s been charged with the following:

Three counts of Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor (Class X Felony)
Three counts of Trafficking in Persons (Class 1 Felony)
Six counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 2 Felony)

What they’re saying:

Sheriff Idleburg commented on the update.

“While the investigation was lengthy, the relentless dedication of the investigators ensured that those responsible for victimizing this child were brought to justice,” he said.

The Source: The information in this article was provided by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Crime and Public SafetyWonder LakeWaukeganRound Lake BeachNews

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Illinois

Are Illinois schools closed on Veterans Day? Here’s a list of what’s open and closed

Published

2 hours ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

Are Illinois schools closed on Veterans Day? Here’s a list of what’s open and closed

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Veterans Day holiday is celebrated on Tuesday, November 11th, honoring the service and sacrifice of all veterans.

The holiday began as Armistice Day in 1918, a celebration at the end of World War I, and evolved into a way to honor all U.S. veterans and those currently serving in the military.

It was made an official federal holiday in 1938.

Government workers are given a day off work on Veterans Day, although this year, many of them are not at work due to the longest government shutdown in the country’s history.

Are Illinois schools open on Veterans Day?

The Illinois State Board of Education says Veterans Day is considered a “legal school holiday” but “school activities are permitted.”

Rockford Public Schools have November 11th off to observe Veterans Day. Other schools in the surrounding area are also off.

Is there mail delivery on Veterans Day?

The U.S. Postal Service is closed in observance of Veterans Day, but UPS and FedEx will remain operational for the holiday.

Are banks open on Veterans Day?

Most banks across the country are closed for Veterans Day, although the U.S. stock markets are open for trading.

Is the DMV open on Veterans Day?

All Secretary of State’s offices will be closed on Veterans Day, in observance of the holiday.

These restaurants are offering deals on Veterans Day

Applebee’s – Free full-size entrée from a special Veterans Day menu for veterans and active-duty military.
Buffalo Wild Wings – 10 free boneless wings + fries for veterans and active-duty military.
Chili’s – Free meal for veterans and active-duty military.
Chipotle – Buy one entrée, get one free (4–8 p.m.) for military community.
Cracker Barrel – Free Sunrise Pancake Special for veterans.
Denny’s – Free Original Grand Slam® (5 a.m.–noon) for veterans and active-duty military.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – Free pulled pork sandwich for veterans and active-duty military.
Golden Corral – Free meal during Military Appreciation Night (4 p.m.–close).
IHOP – Free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo for veterans.
Little Caesars – Free HOT-N-READY® Lunch Combo (11 a.m.–2 p.m.) for veterans.
Mission BBQ – Free sandwich on Veterans Day.
Olive Garden – Free entrée from special menu (includes soup/salad + breadsticks) for veterans/active duty on Nov 11 (dine-in only).
Outback Steakhouse – Free three-course “Aussie” meal for veterans/active duty on Nov 10 & Nov 11 with valid military ID (dine-in).
Red Lobster – Free “Veterans Shrimp & Chips” entrée for veterans/active duty on Nov 11 (dine-in only).
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews – Free “Red’s Big Tavern Burger” for veterans/active duty on Nov 11 (dine-in).
Scooter’s Coffee – Free medium drink for veterans/active duty with valid ID on Nov 11 (mobile order not available).
Starbucks – Free tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) for veterans, military servicemembers and military spouses on Nov 11 (café & drive-thru only).
Texas Roadhouse – Free meal for veterans/active duty on Nov 11 at participating restaurants.

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Illinois

Several Chicago-area schools announce closures ahead of expected snow. Here’s a list

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2025

Press Room

Several Chicago-area schools announce closures ahead of expected snow. Here’s a list

Editor’s Note: Our latest weather story on the winter storm can be found here.

Several schools across the Chicago area have announced closures, delays or switches to e-learning ahead of a winter storm beginning late Sunday night.

More than half a dozen schools announced closures, or moves to e-learning protocols, ahead of the anticipated snowfall, according to the Emergency Closing Center.

Below is the latest list of schools that have announced closures, early dismissals or switches to e-learning for classes on Monday.

Dist #125 (Atwood Heights)	Alsip	Delayed 1 Hour
Dist #128 (Palos Heights)	Palos Heights	Delayed 2 Hours
Horizon Science Academy Southwest	Chicago	Closed Tomorrow No Evening Activities
River Forest School Corporation (Madison St)	River Forest	Closed Tomorrow E-learning
Dist #1 (Momence Community Unit)	Momence	E-learning
Crown Point Community School Corp	Crown Point	Delayed 2 Hours
Lake Station Community Schools	Lake Station	Closed Tomorrow E-learning

The announcements come as a winter storm warning was set to take effect for Cook, Kankakee and Lake counties in Illinois, as well as Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties in northwest Indiana.

Dangerous to impossible travel conditions due to lake effect snow were expected, the National Weather Service stated. Snowfall rates could exceed three inches per hour, and total snow accumulations in excess of 12 inches were possible, meteorologists said.

Track an updated list of school closings across the Chicago area here.

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Illinois

IHSA football scores | Top playoff performers for second round around Peoria, Illinois, area

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2025

Press Room

IHSA football scores | Top playoff performers for second round around Peoria, Illinois, area

Each week, the Journal Star will spotlight the top-performing teams and players from weekend playoff football games across the Peoria area.

Players from Dunlap and Farmington lead our list from second-round games.

IHSA football playoffs second round: Live updates | Peoria-area scores | Statewide scores

Jayden Schmick, Dunlap

The running back scored four touchdowns, including one from 47 yards out, to lead the Eagles past Crete-Monee 28-21 in Class 6A. The Eagles (9-2) are in the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2017 and will host Burbank St. Laurence next weekend.

Breon Greene, Peoria High

The quarterback accounted for four touchdowns including the game-winning score in a 38-34 win over Morton in Class 5A. His five-yard TD with 28 seconds left in the game proved to be the score that sealed it. He finished with 94 rushing yards and another TD, while throwing for 227 with two TDs — one to Jaylen Rayford (66 yards) and the other to Dereon Mays (74 yards).

Carson Noy, Farmington

The freshman quarterback scored the go-ahead touchdown, running 45 yards on fourth down to send the unbeaten Farmers (11-0) into the Class 2A quarterfinals on the road at fellow unbeaten El Paso-Gridley.

AJ Jones, Washington

The dynamic receiver scored three touchdowns to help the Panthers to a 38-14 victory over Mahomet-Seymour in Class 5A. His only two catches were a pair of TDs of 15 and 47 yards from Noah Garcia. Jones also rushed for one score, finishing with 76 yards on six carries. The Panthers (10-1) advance to face state power New Lenox Providence in a road quarterfinal next weekend.

Devon Horrie, Annawan/Wethersfield

The running back ran for 111 yards and two TDs — including the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter, helping the Titans (11-0) remain unbeaten and hold off upset-minded Deer Creek-Mackinaw, 33-26, in Class 1A. Quarterback Maddux Heitzler added 167 rushing yards and three TDs for Annawan, which faces Lena-Winslow in the state quarterfinals.

Aaden Adams, El Paso-Gridley

The running back ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns to led the unbeaten Titans (11-0) past Sterling Newman in Class 2A. EP-G now has won six in a row by three touchdowns or more, making their first quarterfinal trip since 2017. The Titans will host Farmington next weekend.

Silas Steffen, Morton

The athlete was all over the field in Morton’s 38-34 loss to Peoria High. He rushed for 175 yards on 25 carries highlighted by 100 yards and two TDs in the first quarter alone. Steffen also caught six balls for 58 yards including a 30-yard score to put Morton up late in the fourth quarter.

Shaun Denniston, Dee-Mack

The senior running back ran 36 times for 268 yards and three touchdowns, but Deer Creek-Mackinaw came up short in an upset bid vs. unbeaten Annawan/Wethersfield, 33-26. Zack Day added 92 rush yards and a TD on 16 carries for the Chiefs, who end the season at 7-4.

Stephen Petri, Metamora

The quarterback was 7-for-10 with 201 yards passing and three TDs, adding another 72-yard rushing score for Metamora in its 64-50 loss to rival Morris in Class 5A. Petri had TD passes to Brayden Bitner (two catches for 56 yards), Kylan McMillen (two catches for 33 yards) and Jaiduan Cranford (131 rushing yards, 68 receiving), who also added a 57-yards rushing and 86-yard kick return touchdowns for the Redbirds (8-3).

This story will be updated.

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