CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – A northwest suburban man has been arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of child pornography.

In October, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office was tipped off about the “possible possession of child pornography by an electronic service provider.” They began an investigation, which led them to a suspect, identified as 22-year-old Brian Lazaro.

On Dec. 2, a search warrant was executed in the 4000 block of Johnson Ave. in Crystal Lake, leading to felony charges against Lazaro.

He was charged with four counts of Possession of Child Pornography.

No further information was provided.

Illinois and Cook County officials are beefing up government services to help more residents obtain REAL IDs, and avoid a new $45 penalty that will be instituted next year for air travelers without the updated identification.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced Wednesday that his office has extended the lease at its Loop Supercenter site that offers walk-in REAL ID services at 191 N. Clark St.

State officials are partnering with Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon’s office to streamline processes to obtain birth certificates, marriage licenses and the other additional personal documents needed to get a REAL ID.

Clerk’s offices will have designated cashiers for REAL ID-related requests, as well as a new appointment system.

“Don’t wait — get your REAL ID today and avoid the expensive and unnecessary federal upcharge,” Giannoulias said.

Earlier this week, the Transportation Security Administration announced $45 fees starting Feb. 1, 2026, for travelers without REAL IDs. They’ve been required since May but most travelers without them have only faced additional screenings and warnings.

The fees will be able to be paid online before arriving at the airport. Travelers can also pay online at the airport before entering the security line, but officials said the process may take up to 30 minutes.

Help from the clerk’s office is available at (312) 603-6278 or Clerk.RealID@cookcountyil.gov. The secretary of state’s help line is (800) 252-8980.

REAL IDs can be obtained at any DMV. Most in the Chicago area require an appointment, which can be made at ilsos.gov.

Contributing: Associated Press

CHICAGO – A Chicago suburb is Illinois’ biggest “boomtown,” according to a new analysis of economic and population growth across the country.

What we know:

The GOBankingRates study looked at U.S. Census American Community Survey data from 2015 to 2023, taking into account cities with populations between 25,000 and 500,000.

Plainfield, a southwest suburb of Chicago, topped the list for Illinois after its population grew nearly 12% over eight years, reaching 45,705 in 2023. The community also saw a 43% jump in per-capita income during that period.

Next door, Indiana’s biggest boomtown is Westfield, which logged a 51.5% population increase and a nearly 57% rise in per-capita income.

Big picture view:

Nationally, Fulshear, Texas, earned the No. 1 spot after expanding its population by 736% from 2015 to 2023.

Other top-ranked boomtowns include Fort Mill, South Carolina; Queen Creek, Arizona; Herriman, Utah; and Windsor, Colorado.

What you can do:

The GOBankingRates study examined 49 states, excluding Hawaii. To learn more, click HERE.